Paying for a dog walker...any advice?

first78

Sadly we recently had to make the desicion to have our dog put down, we hate to be without a dog and now want to think about getting a puppy. We both work full time and know that we couldn't leave a puppy on its own all day so we are thinking about getting a dog walker to come round once a day. We don't have friends or family in the area and are nervous about a stranger having access to our house. Does anyone have any experience of getting a dog walker? Alternativley does anyone know of any websites where you can find other people in similar situations in your area so you can walk each others dogs?
Any suggestions or advice would be very welcome.

MrsTinks

I have a dog walker and personally I'd say go on word of mouth I finally found one I liked through one of the ladies in the local post office It's not very MSE but something we always knew would be a destinct possibility so had taken into account I pay £7.50 for a 45 minute walk (it's usually closer to an hour ) 4 days a week (So £30 a week) and it's definitely worth paying for a good walker who is insured and experienced! It was pure fluke she had a space as one of her regulars had sadly passed on a few months before and she hadn't really decided on whether to take a replacement on when I called her
Speak to a few people and find one who you get on with and you feel comfortable giving your dog to on a daily basis...

jess_the_cat

Hi its great your thinking about it before you get your pup not after :T well done . What area are you in as this will help for recomendations.

first78

I live in Nuneaton, Warwickshire. I work shifts so would be able to say when I needed the dog walker up to 6 weeks in advance. I know what a huge responsibility a puppy is and that is why I want the details worked out before we get one.

jess_the_cat wrote: »

Hi its great your thinking about it before you get your pup not after :T well done . What area are you in as this will help for recomendations.

manda1205

I dont understand why you need a dog walker if you're getting a puppy. Puppies shouldnt be walked much to begin with, infact we've been told by breeder and vet that we shouldnt really walk our lab until shes 6 months, so that we dont damage her growing bones and increase the likelyhood of hip dysplasia, as labs are prone to it.
Also after having our 13 week old pup for 5 weeks I cant understand how working full time you could possibly have the time and energy to put into having a pup. How would you house train the pup if you're not there to take it out every 30mins/1hr?
Dont want to sound like Im putting you off, Im just curious at how you want it to work IYSWIM?

viktory

manda1205 wrote: »

Also after having our 13 week old pup for 5 weeks I cant understand how working full time you could possibly have the time and energy to put into having a pup. How would you house train the pup if you're not there to take it out every 30mins/1hr?
Dont want to sound like Im putting you off, Im just curious at how you want it to work IYSWIM?

I got my pup (now 6 months old) at 13 weeks and we all work full time. Basically when we got her we had about 2 weeks off work. In that time, we crate and toilet trained her. Then, when we went back to work she is crated during the day. My son comes during his lunch break to let her out, play with her etc. She is quite happy during the day and sleeps.

However, I take her out at 6am for a 30-40 minute walk, then she gets another walk abut the same length of time in the evening with longer walks through local woodland at the weekend. It is very hard work but well worth it.

My dog is a confident, content pup so it can be done. Just don't underestimate how much hard work it will be.

UKTigerlily

Dogs should never be left in crates all day while the owner is at work, even if they are let out once!

viktory

UKTigerlily wrote: »

Dogs should never be left in crates all day while the owner is at work, even if they are let out once!

*Shrugs* that is your opinion and you are entitled to it.

supersaver66

viktory wrote: »

*Shrugs* that is your opinion and you are entitled to it.

That's awful (for the dog), puppies should be playing and sleeping not just sleeping all day. They aren't hamsters.

supersaver66

first78 wrote: »

Sadly we recently had to make the desicion to have our dog put down, we hate to be without a dog and now want to think about getting a puppy. We both work full time and know that we couldn't leave a puppy on its own all day so we are thinking about getting a dog walker to come round once a day. We don't have friends or family in the area and are nervous about a stranger having access to our house. Does anyone have any experience of getting a dog walker? Alternativley does anyone know of any websites where you can find other people in similar situations in your area so you can walk each others dogs?
Any suggestions or advice would be very welcome.

#

Have you thought about rescuing an older dog instead of a puppy? I just dont think its fair on a young pup to be alone all day except maybe the company of a stranger for an hour a day.

viktory

supersaver66 wrote: »

That's awful (for the dog), puppies should be playing and sleeping not just sleeping all day. They aren't hamsters.

Again, your opinion. You have not seen my dog or seen how she lives her life and therefore have no idea if she is happy or sad, frustrated or content. I, however, do know because I live with her.