The Montecito Social Dog Club (MSDC): aka The Dog Walker

I have known and worked with Gavin Behr, the owner and operator of Montecito Social Dog Club (MSDC), for over 25 years. Gavin, a transplant from South Africa via Southern California, has been a welcome addition to the Santa Barbara community for over eight years. He has brought to our community a professional, trustworthy, reliable, loving and caring dog walking service with a stellar track record of 26 years (includes 22 years of servicing LA’s westside).

Impressed from the moment we met, I feel so lucky to know and work with Gavin. It was in 2000 when I began using his services for many of my clients, as well as myself. A firm believer that dogs need outdoor activities and continuous socialization, sometimes hiring an outside company to help provide this service can help when our schedules don’t permit us to do this ourselves.

The dilemma becomes finding someone you can trust to care for your dog(s)/our four-legged children. This is a business that requires no certification or even knowledge of dogs. To enter this business all one needs is a leash and a way to market oneself as a dogwalker. I personally wouldn’t hand any of my children to a complete stranger without doing a deep dive into their business and client referrals. Dig as deep as you want into Gavin’s business… it is stellar! I have trusted him with my dogs for a quarter of a century!!

In 1987 Gavin left South Africa and moved to Southern California to join his family. Trying different industries for many years that weren’t satisfying, it was on a hike in the Santa Monica Mountains one Saturday morning where he had an epiphany. So many people hiking with their dogs… what about weekdays when they were all at work (pre-COVID). The Dog Walker was born!

Gavin worked hard and built a very successful company in LA’s westside. But he was not happy living in a city and longed to return to an environment that was more similar to where he grew up; Capetown, South Africa. When he came up to explore Santa Barbara, he knew he was home… the mountains, the beaches, and a wonderful small-town vibe.

When I moved up here this year it was like slipping my feet into my most comfortable pair of slippers. Gavin showed up in his beautiful fully outfitted van, loaded the dogs and off they went on their very first group beach walk. I knew, as always, they were in good hands. All dogs that are in his groups are first screened for disposition and temperament to ensure the safety of all the group. He maintains the same strict policies as always: No Mountain Hikes, No Dog Parks, and No Dog Beaches. 

He and his staff of 10 walkers are so professional, attentive and kind. MSDG offers group, semi-private and private beach and neighborhood walks M-F: and, if requested, will also do weekend walks, and provide transportation to groomer and veterinary appointments.  

Visit www.thedogwalker.org/santa-barbara