Paying for a dog walker...any advice?

skintlass

Word of mouth is definitely the way to go. Both of my dogwalkers have been by word of mouth. Hope you find one that suits you.

picklepick

I'm a dogwalker and yes word of mouth is a great way of finding one. Go to a local park and ask the people with dogs if they use anyone, you might even find some. We advertise but the main way we get customers is through other recommendations. Also make sure they carry full insurance!

viktory

I spoke to a dog walker yesterday who was out with the HUGEST mastiff I have ever seen. Unfortunately, it was at about 1pm and it was so hot. The poor dog looked exhausted.

shirlgirl2004

I put an ad in my local vets and the veterinary nurse answered the ad. She finished work for the day at 1pm so used to come after work. I have 6 dogs so she didn't walk them but let them into the garden and played ball etc with them. She is still a friend now and if we go out for the day she still pops in to say Hi to them for us.

katie_kt

i have a 12 week old puppy and a 1 year old lurcher. my boyfriend and i both work full time so they are left aloe in the house through the day. however i took 2 weeks off work when we got our puppy to do my best at starting the training and already at 12 weeks old our puppy does not do his business in the house until we get home and if you dont take him out within minutes he will prob then do business in house but i think its amazing that he is able to hold it until we get home to walk him at such a young age and that he understands this. i do think a big part ofthis may be he has picked this up from our ohter dog but it does show that theres nothing cruel about having dogs fulltime and the training can still be done and as i prove can be very succesful in a short space of time.

Mutter_2

I love it when people post asking for honest opinions, but get their hackles up when it's not what they want to hear.
We all have different opinions, re. the toilet training thread, so this is entirely mine and may well be very wrong.

I would never crate a dog. My dogs have always been simply another family member. Nor would I. or did ever put my child in a barrier thing, don't know what they're called, a circle thing like a net. Nor a baby walker. My dogs are my children.

Circumstances change without any prior warning as seen on other threads here, but to be contemplating a puppy when you both work full time gets the thumbs down from me I'm afraid.
Also have to say that any decent breeder would refuse you too.

To those who say that their dog sleeps whilst its alone. Well what would you do if kept in a cell with no company or entertainment for hours at a time? Yes, I'd sleep too. It's known as boredom. A dog is a social creature and to relieve its distress at being alone will resort to sleeping.
Bet the dog doesn't sleep for hours at a time when you are home.

smileypigface

Mutter wrote: »

Bet the dog doesn't sleep for hours at a time when you are home.

Mine do!!!!

We stick to the same routine on non-work days as we do for work days - and yep, both of our springers take themselves off to their crates and snooze!!! They are very well exercised and have activities and training that wear their little furry brains out - consequently they can snooze for their country whether we are at home or not!

I agree with the posters who have said that everyone's circumstances are different and every dog's needs are different. The trick is finding the combination of routine that works for you and your dog.

Our choice has been to use crates - our dogs love them - they are their safe place where they can retreat to when they want peace and quiet - and both truely switch off and sleep deeply in there - whereas when napping elsewhere they don't sleep so deeply or fully relax. The other big advantage of crates is that we can take them away for weekends and holidays and take their 'home from home' with us!

Works for us - maybe not for everyone.

orlao

About the crate debate....I'm a convert to them.
For years, I always had my doubts about them until I got my last large pup. Used properly they can be a fantastic tool...protecting the dog and the house, they make housetraining a lot easier IME, especially overnight.

But it is horses for courses.

OP, as someone you had to go back to work fulltime after very flexi hours, working from home etc I personally would consider an older dog but I'm afraid you are unlikely to be allowed to rescue one from the bigger rescues.

If you do get a pup and use a dog walker how about bringing them in twice a day for 30 minutes instead of once a day for an hour? I.e if you leave at 8am, they come in at 10:30 and 2pm and you return by 5pm....could work especially if you had an older pup, 6 months plus.

When looking for a dog walker, if it's a one man band operation check that they have back up to cover them if they are sick, car breaks down, family emergency etc as I've had a phone call when I've been 200 miles away to say "Sorry, can't make it today" which meant I had to leave a work meeting and start trying to contact friends to do the dogs plus the logistical nightmare of arranging the person who had my spare keys to meet the friend who was going to walk and feed the dogs....not something I want to repeat and thank god for good friends:T

viktory

Mutter wrote: »

Bet the dog doesn't sleep for hours at a time when you are home.

Yes, she does. Obviously, she gets more interaction and longer walks at the weekend, but nonetheless she sleeps for hours. She is sleeping now actually.

GotToChange

Re. Crates.

Whenever I see or read about them being used in the home (as opposed to travelling safely) - most particularly talk of the dog being shut into one all day when owners are absent. I think of a torture item that I saw at the London Dungeon, where a man was compressed within a very small space and left there - until he went mad.

I KNOW it's an extreme comparison but as much as those who advocate crates justify their use, it's easy to say "Oh yes, my dog goes to it by choice (brainwashing anyone?) - he's in it now.." - all fine and dandy if someone is there (of course, pointless) - but to be shut in, no room to stretch their legs at will, until someone comes and lets them out - and they don't know when that will be; no wonder they go to sleep - what else CAN they do? Loathsome. If that is the only way to have a dog, shouldn't have one - they deserve better.

Cruel.


(In my opinion of course.)

As for coming onto forums and being told how to live their lives, occupational hazard surely...?