On a Wednesday at the end of summer, around 10:00 a.m., Carlos Cró was walking cheerfully along Estrada Monumental with a German Shepherd and another black dog of unknown breed. He recounted his story and the beginnings of Dog Happy Time in a relaxed manner.
In 2012, he took a leap into the unknown to embrace his true passion: dogs. Until then, Carlos Cró was a shopkeeper and devoted himself solely to his pet, a Pitbull, who needed to be walked at least four times a day, as he lived in a small flat. One day, he had his ‘eureka’ moment and thought he would pay someone to walk his dog.
He researched and found no one in Madeira performing this service. ‘So I started with dog walking and pet sitting, something already common in other countries,’ he says. Gradually, his reputation began to spread throughout Madeira. Although success was not immediate, he managed, with determination, to win over his clients. Some are still with him today.
In 2015, he decided to take a course at Canisport to become a dog trainer. Today, he is a professional recognised for his technical skills, but also for his human touch. His love for these cheerful and loyal animals is reflected in his eyes.
But what can you expect from Dog Happy Time? A comprehensive list of services: urban or mountain walks, individual or group, basic and advanced training, transport, holiday service — exclusive and always with daily activities — and personalised support.
What sets Carlos Cró apart is his work philosophy. ‘I observe the dog closely and talk to the owners before committing myself. I assess their behaviour, temperament and needs. Only then do I draw up a plan.’
The goal is clear. ‘I train dogs to be not only obedient, but also well-behaved and balanced.’
On walks, dogs are always on leashes. But on some days at the beach, for example, or in the mountains, it's possible to let them off leash for a while, for specific exercises, and when they're in a controlled environment and have a high level of obedience.
However, he emphatically states that the real work is done by the owners. Just five minutes of dedication every day is enough to make a difference. As with children, he argues that limits and consistency are necessary. For Carlos Cró, dogs do not lie: they are a reflection of the energy and dynamics of the family.
His experience in a kennel proved decisive in shaping his approach. He looked after dogs of all ages and personalities, many waiting to be adopted. The mission was to prepare and train them to avoid returns. This experience, although demanding, was a real learning curve. ‘We learned to deal with all kinds of temperaments and traumas, and that gave me a much more complete understanding of canine behaviour,’ he recalls.
Over the years, he has experienced the pain of losing dogs he had worked with on a daily basis. Facing these goodbyes is not easy, but he does so with serenity. ‘It's very hard, but I try to cherish the good times and accept that it's part of the cycle of life.’
When asked about breed preferences, the answer is immediate: he does not have a favourite breed, as all his dogs are adopted. Still, he likes to share some obvious characteristics. Beagles are fun and stubborn, full of energy; Belgian Shepherds are intelligent but sometimes hyperactive; hunting dogs are agile and strong, perfect for mountain adventures, but more sensitive in urban life; and Labradors are docile and easy to train but require constant stimulation.
Carlos Cró is a fan of consistency, patience, and positive activities. He believes that every dog has its own pace and that some patterns take time to change. ‘The important thing is that the animal leaves Dog Happy Time better than when it arrived and that the owner takes the necessary tools to maintain that progress.’
Finally, he reveals that the most exciting thing about his profession is solving relationship challenges with owners.
