Watch CBS News

Minneapolis Dog Walker Keeps Dozens Of Canine Clients At Ease

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Ask any dog owner and you'll hear that training just one pup can be a challenge. But how about taking on 30 pets, all at once?

Every day Curtis Johnson, owner of Citizen Kanine, has his hands full as he walks around Lake Harriet in Minneapolis -- but it's not just the number that gets folks' attention.

Johnson's job couldn't be further from the normal 9-to-5. But, you might say he still handles dozens of "clients" a day in an office that winds around the neighborhoods of south Minneapolis.

"Some dogs walk every day, some walk a couple times a week, some are all over the board," he said.

Dog walking was never Johnson's lifelong goal. Instead, this former sales and marketing manager stumbled upon this path while taking care of his own pets.

"Some of my neighbors asked me to start to work with their dogs as well and train them," he said. "I've always been around them. I've always been intrigued by training and development."

One dog grew to five, five became 15 and so on. Word got around and, eventually, passion paved the way for a business.

"I like to describe it to people as an avocation more than a job," Johnson said.

Five days a week the Citizen Kanine crew makes their way around Lake Harriet.

"It's always interesting," Johnson said. "You'll get the double look and you'll see it in the cars that go by and the cameras that come out."

If the size of the pack makes people pause, it's the behavior that leaves the lasting impression.

"I think it's the fact that none are weaving around, none of them are fighting each other. They're all getting along and they're doing what they're supposed to be doing," Citizen Kanine employee Angela Grundstad said.

These pups are the picture of obedience. New additions don't disrupt the calm group demeanor.

"They come in and they're social," Johnson said. "They're observing other dogs and settle right in."

But don't be mistaken -- plenty of training goes into that kind of control. Johnson will work with the dogs with obedience drills before they enter the group.

"He can control and handle, and his crew can handle, multiple dogs of multiple breeds," Citizen Kanine client Libby Sullivan said.

Sullivan's dog, Sooka, sees Curtis each week. When this high energy breed joined her family, she knew she needed help.

"It was really just to manage her energy and all the work it takes to have a puppy," Sullivan said.

Three years later and Sooka understands more than basic commands.

"I haven't had behavior issues with her," Sullivan said. "She just knows her place."

It's why he isn't just seen as the neighborhood dog walker.

"He is kind of a dog whisperer and it carries out through the crew," Sullivan said.

"I'm not a big fan of the term," Johnson said. "I don't want people thinking they can't do this with their dogs."

For Johnson, obedience boils down to exercise, consistency and a conditional relationship with your pet.

"Meaning, you want the dog to effectively feel like its earning -- it's doing things to earn it's keep. It's going to sit before it goes out the door. It's going to sit before it eats. It's going to sit before it jumps on the couch." Johnson said. "We want to love our pets unconditionally, but treat them conditionally."

Age also isn't a factor. Older dogs are able to learn new, better behavior. He believes obedience isn't just on our canine friends.

"If we don't think our dogs are capable of change, they're not going to," he said.

Still, there's no denying Johnson has a way with animals -- the pups just follow his lead.

"If they understand what's expected, they're interested in doing that for us," he said said.

The cost for Citizen Kanine ranges depending on frequency of walks and number of pets but the baseline price is $26. Johnson has his hands full, but he says there are openings for new pets.

To learn more, head to the Citizen Kanine website.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.