A short, thick leash is recommended for dog walking, so the owner has the most control. Longer leashes may allow your dog to ...

But today, neighbor kids have been supplanted by dog-walking services. On the plus side, you can hire a professional walker who knows how to handle animals and the situations that inevitably arise.

Christy Griffin, a dog walker in San Francisco, provides detailed accounts and several photos of each stroll she takes with Stevie Nicks, pictured here, and other pooches she works with.