Dog walker

moi68

How do you know your dog waker is walking your dog. I was away at the weekend and my son was watching our dog but I know he doesn't walk her just lets her out in the garden so I was going to get someone to walk her but my son said not to as his friend walked dogs and he just takes them to the park near the house and sits there for half and hour

picklepick

I'm a dog walker and most of my new customers come from recommendations and from chatting to dog owners in the park.
Perhaps ask around if you know some other dog owners who might have dog walkers and they can recommend someone?

Generally, you'd know if your dog wasnt being walked properly from the amount of energy he has when he gets back! Most of my dogs fall asleep as soon as they get home!

picklepick

Meant to say, always choose a dog walker who has insurance!

Lobell

When we used a dog walker, I knew they had been walked because they were knackered and couldn't be bothered to drag themselves off the sofa to meet us at the door when we got home.

Also, neighbours and people we know in the wider area used to comment that they'd seen the dog walker out and about with them in various locations. My dogs are very distinctive and are therefore instantly recognisable to anyone who knows us.

Kinski

I've seen a couple of dog walkers in our local park, they pull up in a van, take 3/4 dogs out and let them pee/poo then take them back to the van, they then take another 3/4 out and do the same. I watched one guy once belt a dog he was walking, I yelled at him ''what the f*** do you think your doing '', his reply was that it was a new dog he was walking and it wouldn't take a telling :mad:. A friend knew who's dog it was but she wouldn't tell me as I was going to go round and tell him what an w***** he had as a dog walker. I never saw the guy again which was just as well. We do also have a couple of great dog walkers who take great care of the dogs they walk.

gettingready

Sorry guys but some posts above show that your dog walkers are just random strangers.....

My dogwalker is a dog walker by profession, this is her job to look after my dog and to make sure Zara has a great time while out with her.

How do I know? because I have asked for references from other clients, been on few walks myself and see the walks on the dog walkerr's website:

http://www.dogsandthecity.co.uk/gallery/

Not anyone calling themselves a dog walker is actually one - some people think it is an easy part time extra income and ....

You want a good care for your dog - look for a recommended dog walker.

My one is insured, had Pet First Aid certificate, is Police checked (got my keys) and Zara absoluely loves her. Se works with another girl, they also do dog boarding... They basically live for the dogs in their care.

Yes, it does cost a bit but - you want quality... you have to pay for it. And my dog is very important to me.

cyberbob

gettingready wrote: »

Yes, it does cost a bit but - you want quality... you have to pay for it. And my dog is very important to me.

Totally agree. We have used one on a few occasions when my wife was in Hospital. She was fantastic had great references (is actually a retired GP). She also guarantees she does not walk your dog with others. So your dog gets her full attention.

Mojisola

As well as seeing how tired he is when he comes home, it's also worth seeing how your dog behaves when the dog walker arrives. Our lad goes crazy when his walker arrives - there's no need to ask if he loves her and has a good time with her. Interestingly, in contrast to cyberbob, we chose her because she walks several dogs together. She has access to secure open land and the dogs are able to run free and play with each other as they walk.

One other point - what does the walker look like? Ours is like a marathon runner - there's no doubt that she enjoys the exercise and does a lot of it!

Added: there's one other benefit to the lady we have - she will have our dog to stay when we're away so he doesn't need to go into kennels.

Almo

You need to do your research and also accept that you get what you pay for. I own a dog walking business (in Australia, not touting for business ) and it infuriates me when we get customers asking why we won't walk their dogs for $10 (minimum wage is somewhere around $17...).

Factor in specialist pet insurance, police checks, first aid courses, petrol, tax, super (you guys don't have this but substitute NI) and my time; if you pay someone $10 they're going to turn up to your house, let the dog out then go straight home again. We also rarely walk dogs in groups, primarily because Australian dogs are disgustingly badly trained in most cases and it would just turn into a riot, so we're not making money that way (not that there's anything wrong with walking in groups, it's great for the dogs mentally and physically). Yes, I love animals, but I need to earn a living too.

We never cheat owners/dogs out of walking time, in fact I frequently give them extra!

Anyway, sorry for that rant, not aimed at you OP, but anyone who stumbles on this thread in the future.

I would say ask to see copies of insurance and police checks and ask for references - we never have an issue with clients wanting to see these and will happily give out phone numbers of happy clients (with their permission, obviously) to potential clients if they want to talk to someone about us.

moi68

thanks for your help, have talked to my sister about it and she will walk my dog for me the next time im away. so i wont need to get somone else

gettingready

Cyberbob - just curious, why do you want your dog to be walked by himself?

I am happy that Zara walks with up to 10 dogs sometimes (2 dog walkers doing the walks of their packs together) as this is brlliant for socialisation and from the photos I see how much fun they are all having....