About Us

I’m Tracy Murray, a certified dog trainer and behavior expert, and the owner of Saving Fido Dog Walking.

I started Saving Fido because I kept seeing the same issue on Capitol Hill: great dogs getting generic walks that didn’t fit what they needed. A high-energy pup getting a slow lap around the block. A nervous rescue getting dragged through a busy street. A bored dog getting the same route every single day. I knew there was a better way.

Every dog deserves a walk built around how they feel, not just where they need to go. That’s the philosophy behind Saving Fido: Fear Free Certified, trained in Grisha Stewart’s Behavior Adjustment Training methods, and always Force-Free.

On a walk, that means watching for the small signs of stress, giving your dog choices, and rewarding the calm, confident moments, so walks get easier over time instead of just getting finished.

Kobe loves everyone he meets. Maple is a little more reserved. Living with both is a daily reminder that no two dogs need the same walk, and it’s why I built Saving Fido around that idea.

I’ve been working with dogs since 2007, and my background is a little unusual for this world. I studied psychology and biology before I ever picked up a leash professionally. Understanding how dogs think, what stresses them out, and what makes them thrive, that’s psychology. And knowing how a dog’s body and senses work, why a senior dog’s stiff first steps mean something different than a puppy’s, why panting on a hot afternoon means something different than panting after a sprint, that’s biology. Both shape every walk we do.

I’m a scholarship recipient with the Karen Pryor Academy, and I’m a Certified Behavior Adjustment Training Instructor (CBATI-KA) through the Grisha Stewart Academy. That training goes deep into how dogs communicate stress, frustration, and fear, and how to help them move through it without force instead of around it. It was intensive work, and I did it alongside running Saving Fido. I also earned Fear Free’s Animal Trainer Certification, because the more I understand, the better I can advocate for your dog.

I’m a recurring guest on Fox 5 DC’s Good Day DC. In July 2026 I talked summer heat safety for dogs, in August 2026 I covered how to help dogs settle into new back-to-school routines, and in September 2026 I came back to talk fall walk hazards and basic paw first aid as it gets dark earlier. Real, practical tips Capitol Hill pet parents can use the same day.

Every Saving Fido walker is trained in positive reinforcement, leash skills, and dog body language. I personally coach every walker because the way you handle a dog on a walk matters. A lot.

Fear Free isn’t just a certification I hold, it’s how I think about every walk. Fear Free’s mission is to prevent and ease fear, anxiety, and stress in pets, which means paying attention not just to what your dog does, but how your dog feels. A stressed dog who’s gone quiet isn’t a calm dog. A dog who won’t come out from under the bed isn’t being difficult. Reading those signals and responding to them, instead of pushing through them, is the whole point.

We don’t sell walks by the minute. Every walk is 20 to 25 minutes, matched to what your dog needs that day. Some dogs need their brain worked. Some need to slow down and just sniff. Some need a solid, reliable routine they can count on. That’s why we offer three walk types: enrichment, decompression, and standard. Not tiers. Not packages. Just the right walk for your dog.

When I’m not walking dogs or working with the Saving Fido team, you’ll find me at home with Maple and Kobe. They keep me humble, remind me why this work matters, and occasionally (usually) steal my spot on the couch.