Harrogate, North Yorkshire and surrounding areas

Dog Walking Services

Welcome,

I’m Emerald and I Walk Dogs a Little Differently

My love for dog walking started long before I turned it into a career. But everything truly changed when my own dog became reactive. Overnight, simple walks became stressful, unpredictable, and emotionally exhausting. Instead of giving up, I committed myself to learning everything I could — studying behaviour, working with professionals, and building the practical skills needed to support dogs who find the world a little harder to navigate.

Those years shaped me into the dog walker and handler I am today: patient, knowledgeable, calm under pressure, and deeply understanding of what reactive-dog owners go through. I know the hard work, the setbacks, the small wins that feel huge, and the relief of having someone you can trust to help.

That’s why my approach is different. I don’t just “walk dogs” — I walk your dog, with their unique needs, personality, and training in mind. I operate with a strong focus on safety, clear communication, and consistent handling, tailoring each walk to help your dog feel understood and supported. Whether your dog is confident and bouncy or sensitive and reactive, they’re treated with the same respect, patience, and skill.

My passion comes from experience, and my goal is simple: to provide a service that genuinely makes life easier for both you and your dog — a service built on care, knowledge, and real understanding.

Areas covered:

Harrogate and surrounding areas.

Emerald is the best!! 🤩 She has been walking my Doberman for around 7 months now and he loves her! She genuinely cares so much about what she does, she’s very knowledgeable about dogs, keeps you updated and puts a lot of effort into making sure all the dogs she walks are well behaved whilst having fun! I feel at complete ease with her walking Winston knowing he’s in very capable hands ☺️

Georgia & Winston

My dog is a rescue who had no idea how to play or socialise properly, I was very anxious about using a walker but felt it would help her in these areas. Emerald has been an absolute god send, she doesn't just walk dogs, she bonds with them. Flo knows when Emerald is coming down the street and gets so excited to go on her adventure. We appreciate all that you do for us! A star service 🤩

Lucy & Flo + Doug

Emerald walked my cockapoo for just over a year until we moved house and what a fabulous year it has been. Winnie looked forward to all of her group walks with Emerald and was always over joyed to see her. I felt more than comfortable letting Emerald take Winnie on walks and I knew she would look after her as she does her own.
Alongside Winnie having a good relationship with Emerald, a friendship evolved and she’s actually quite funny too!!!😆 I’d definitely recommend I’ll Take The Lead to anyone as her attention to detail with recall and check ins with the dogs is spot on and there is a reason why she has long standing clients. 🐾

Laila & Winnie

Emerald has been walking our German Shepherd for over a year now and we trust her completely with his safety and happiness. She makes sure all the dogs are behaving and playing nicely, and was invaluable help with training, having experience with large breed reactive dogs. After a year our dog has not only improved on group walks, but also with us. It's clear Emerald is knowledgeable and committed and we'd recommend her to anyone.

Cait & Bishop

We've been using I'll take the lead for just over 3 years and the service Emerald provides is exceptional. Our labrador Winnie always knows when Emerald is coming down the drive and gets so excited to go exploring. Emerald's communication is always great and she has always been flexible to meet our needs. We trust her completely with Winnie and really appreciate all the hard work she puts in 🌟

Tom, Isobel & Winnie

Emerald is caring, fun, kind and absolutely loves her job.
She’s a great communicator and very reliable. Our dogs would move in with her given the chance!😜😜

Paula & Henrik

Emerald is an absolute super star! I don’t know what we would do without her! Bella absolutely loves going for walks with Emerald and the gang, she sits and waits by the door every day!!

Emerald is incredibly reliable and her communication couldn’t be better - were always kept in the loop! We couldn’t recommend her enough ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ellie, Brad & Bella

Emerald is all you would want in a dog walker! Our dog Chester is full of energy and comes back shattered after every walk - what more could we want?! She’s friendly, flexible, professional and most importantly, great with the dogs. I love that she makes the dogs have manners with her on all her walks - something Chester definitely needs.
Chester adores emerald & even runs to the door when I watch her insta stories out loud in hope of a walk with her! we always feel he’s in safe hands with her. Since starting on group walks with Emerald, we’ve even noticed Chester has become more confident with bigger dogs.
Emerald is absolute gold standard in dog walking and we are so pleased to have her walking Chester.

Louisa & Chester

I honestly cannot recommend Emerald highly enough!

Stanley adores her (a little too much for my liking, I’m going to start getting jealous!) and he always comes home so happy, ready to snooze the afternoon away. Emerald is always so accommodating if my schedule changes, she communicates clearly and ahead of time and most importantly is a lovely person! I’d be lost without her!

Ellie & Stanley

Emerald has been great with our dog who is always super excited to see her. great communication and it's great to know our dog is having a walk with someone we trust

Siobhan & Freya

Emerald is so lovely, and so passionate about animals and dogs. Our two dogs love her visits and she has been great at helping us with any tips too. We can’t wait till they can join group walks and go in the van! ☺️🐶

Harriet & Bonnie + Bertie

Contact us

Harrogate, North Yorkshire
07837 969863
[email protected]