Insured  |  Bonded  | Pet First Aid Certified

Gusto Dogs services downtown and west/northwest Austin, providing engaging walks and activities to exercise your dog’s body and mind. We believe that an effective walk includes more than just physical activity; it should also challenge your dog with tasks that add value to his day and improve his long-term relationship with you.

Your dog’s well-being is our priority

We are first and foremost a dog walking service. When you hire a Gusto Dogs dog walker you are getting someone who is focused on your dog’s physical and mental well-being — you can be assured that your dog is getting the exercise and individual attention he needs during our visit.

We can help with doggy manners!

We also understand that your dog is not going to be perfect! Our team is dedicated to learning the latest methods of positively combating some of the most common behavior hiccups like loose-leash walking, barking or lunging at other dogs, jumping up, digging, separation anxiety and more. If we don’t see any improvement then we are also in touch with some of Austin’s most trusted dog behaviorists.

The owner

Kristen West owned and operated Sydney Pet Sitters, a dog walking and pet sitting service in Australia, for two years before moving to Austin and passionately starting Gusto Dogs in 2011.

Some of her favorite dogs to walk in Sydney were also the most challenging. Once they presented a new hurdle for her and her staff to overcome on walks, Kristen was eager to find a solution by researching, getting advice from other professionals and then trying out new techniques — often on her own high-energy dog first!

This passion carried over to create Gusto Dogs, which focuses primarily on exercising and engaging those dogs with the added enthusiasm.

Prior to her life as a business owner and dog-enthusiast (OK she’s always been a little dog-obsessed!), Kristen earned her bachelors degree in journalism from Ohio University and worked in creative positions at Ohio Wildlife Center and Australian Diabetes Council.

Kristen volunteers with local dog rescues and is on the Board of Directors for Wags, Hope and Healing. She lives in Steiner Ranch with her husband, Dave, and pug cross Jack Russell terrier, Neo, who has been her greatest teacher. “Neo is definitely a Gusto Dog!”

Read her post Why I love being a dog walker

Team members

David M. – serving downtown Austin
David always greets our downtown clients—both human and furry—with a positive attitude and a big smile. He has experience working for a veterinary hospital and kennel for three years and assists Lady Bird Lake “Pooch Paddles” when he works at the Texas Rowing Center.

Hiring dog walkers
Gusto Dogs is hiring dog walkers! If you’d like to be considered as a dog walker in the downtown or west Austin area (Steiner Ranch, Riverplace, Lakeway and surrounds), please contact us and tell us a bit more about you. Most walks take place on weekday mornings or afternoons, so a flexible weekday schedule is a must. New team members will be selected based on experience, attitude, professionalism, availability and the obvious one, “Must love dogs!”

It’s about you, too

We understand that the owners play a primary role in their pets’ happiness so Gusto Dogs enjoys working with the people as much as their furry family members. It means that your dog walker will be more than just a note on your kitchen table and he or she will build a relationship with you, too.

 

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