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Meet us
Small team. Big walks.
Four walkers who know every dog by name, and the rules we never bend to keep them safe.
Our story
It started with one beagle.
Jess walked her neighbor’s beagle around Kettering every lunchtime for a year. Then the people across the street asked, then their friends in Oakwood, and Long Lead was born.
We’ve stayed small on purpose. Four walkers, short drives, and groups of no more than four, so every dog gets a real walk and every owner gets a real note afterwards.
Jess, founder
The walkers
Who’ll be holding the lead.
All four are background-checked, insured and trained in dog first aid. You’ll meet yours at the meet & greet.
Jess
Runs the Kettering morning walks and the schedule, and walks Bailey most weekday mornings. Will remember your dog’s birthday.
At home: Maple, the beagle who started it all
Marcus
Patient with shy rescues and strong pullers alike. Runs the big-dog groups in Oakwood and south Dayton.
At home: Duke, the black lab in the photo
Claire
Puppy visits, gentle strolls and the slow sniff walks along the Iron Horse Trail.
At home: Pip, a fourteen-year-old terrier
Dani
Beavercreek groups, puppy visits and holiday drop-ins. Out in every weather, snow included.
At home: Luna, a husky who loves winter
Keeping dogs safe
The rules we never bend.
Handing over your keys and your dog is a big deal. Here’s exactly how we look after both.
Meet & greet first, always
No dog goes out with us until we’ve met at home, learned the routine and written down the quirks, the vet and the emergency contact.
Groups of four, matched
Never more than four dogs. We group by size, energy and temperament, and every new dog does a trial walk before joining.
Keys coded, never labeled
Your key goes on a numbered tag with no name or address, kept in a locked key box. It’s handed back the day you stop walks.
Licensed & insured
Every walker is background-checked and covered by our insurance on every walk and visit. Ask to see the certificate at the meet & greet.
On lead, always
Streets and parks are on lead. Long leads on open trails; off lead only in a fully fenced field, with your written OK.
You hear about everything
A limp, a sore paw, a skipped meal: it goes in the note straight away. If something’s wrong, we call you and your vet.
How we match groups
A group is a team, not a crowd.
An example week. Groups are capped at four, and a dog only moves group if it’s better for them.
- RRockyboxer
- ZZiggyblack lab
- OOtisshepherd
- 1 spot left
- RRosiecavalier
- SScruffborder terrier
- MMilobeagle
- PPeanutYorkie mix
- GGus12, basset
- HHazel11, spaniel mix
- 2 spots left
Bad weather
Rain, snow or a heatwave.
Ohio weather does what it likes. Here’s what we do, and we always text before changing anything.
- RainWe walk. Most dogs don’t mind, and everyone gets a towel-down at the door.
- Snow & iceWe walk on cleared routes, check paws for salt and ice balls, and towel off. On sheet ice we swap to an indoor visit.
- Heat (above 85°F)Early or late walks, shaded routes, shorter loops and extra water. Pavement too hot for your hand means grass only.
- ThunderstormsNo walking in lightning. We swap to an indoor visit (play, potty break, company) at the same price.
Come and meet us.
Twenty minutes at your home, free. Meet your walker, ask anything, and decide after.