Dog Walking/Pet Minding

Flyonthewall

Caroline_a wrote: »

I'm not sure this job is for you to be honest. When does a dog become a big dog? A Labrador? A German Shepherd? And what size German Shepherd - my friend's female is around 38kg, my big neutered male is 54kg. So that would be a no then. Also if you don't like 'First Aid things' what are you going to do if there's a dogfight? To make any sort of money you will need to be walking at least 3 dogs at a time and it doesn't sound as if your car is suitable for that. You are limiting your options so much that I doubt if you will earn anything more than a bit of pocket money!

I know. Already been seriously questioning it. At the interview what was said made sense and seemed fine so I basically agreed I was ok to do it, but after leaving I realised how much detail wasn't covered and how much there was to think about.

Got another interview with them anyhow and could contact them beforehand. They have another sort side job I could do, but ideally this is the job they really need someone for. Personally, it's the side job I really want to do but it's a very small job at the moment. May be more work later on, but I'm on benefits and they'd still want the other job doing as self employed so it gets a bit complicated.

Mojisola

Mojisola wrote: »

So if you've got my dog with you and trip over and break your ankle and get carted off to hospital, you suppose the business owners will look after my dog?

Flyonthewall wrote: »

Well I'd probably just faint if that happened

I'm not good with anything medical and the company know that. Does make me worry though because if something like that should happen I've no idea how things would work out.

I mean, even if I didn't faint, I could let go of the lead or it may have already been running around. With a broken ankle I probably couldn't get it back. It's hard to say what a dog will do though. Some may just keep running nearby, some may come over to you and others may run off.

I was thinking more of what would happen to the dog when you are taken off to hospital. Would it just be taken off by someone or would you have a contact who would collect it and bring it home?

I'm not impressed by the company you're thinking of working with. If I was running that company and looking for subcontractors, I would have a pack explaining how my company worked, what I would deal with, what paperwork I went through with the client, what I needed you to have in place regarding insurances and so on.

Flyonthewall

Mojisola wrote: »

I was thinking more of what would happen to the dog when you are taken off to hospital. Would it just be taken off by someone or would you have a contact who would collect it and bring it home?

I'm not impressed by the company you're thinking of working with. If I was running that company and looking for subcontractors, I would have a pack explaining how my company worked, what I would deal with, what paperwork I went through with the client, what I needed you to have in place regarding insurances and so on.

Well I'd contact someone from the business to come and get it but obviously if I fainted it could be a bit awkward.

It's quite a new business and they only just decided they need someone to work for them. Not sure what they'll do if I don't do that job though as I imagine most people will expect that information from them, whereas I'm researching it all myself.

marybelle01

Flyonthewall wrote: »

Well I'd probably just faint if that happened

I'm not good with anything medical and the company know that. Does make me worry though because if something like that should happen I've no idea how things would work out.

I mean, even if I didn't faint, I could let go of the lead or it may have already been running around. With a broken ankle I probably couldn't get it back. It's hard to say what a dog will do though. Some may just keep running nearby, some may come over to you and others may run off.

Sorry, but with the best will in the world, there is not a chance I would ever let you walk my dog. The dog is more capable than you are. And I really do mean that - he is a trained rescue dog! If the company think you are a fit person to be in charge of other peoples dogs, then I would question the competance of the company. Dog walking / care is not an easy option. Don't take it personally, because I see plenty of dog owners who really aren't fit to be in charge of a dog either. But owning a dog is a huge responsibility. You must be able to care for and control that dog in all circumstances, keeping the dog and other dogs or people safe. Even a Chihuahua can bite! Or be bitten...

Flyonthewall

marybelle01 wrote: »

Sorry, but with the best will in the world, there is not a chance I would ever let you walk my dog. The dog is more capable than you are. And I really do mean that - he is a trained rescue dog! If the company think you are a fit person to be in charge of other peoples dogs, then I would question the competance of the company. Dog walking / care is not an easy option. Don't take it personally, because I see plenty of dog owners who really aren't fit to be in charge of a dog either. But owning a dog is a huge responsibility. You must be able to care for and control that dog in all circumstances, keeping the dog and other dogs or people safe. Even a Chihuahua can bite! Or be bitten...

My worry is mostly based on bad situations (e.g. injury) and the fact it's someone elses dog - another life - that I'd be in charge of. Possibly more than one. Currently, dogs I don't know at all.

I know at least one doesn't like other dogs and it's a big dog. They said if you see another dog turn around/pull it away, but my worry is I wouldn't be able to do that if the dog resists due to size and weight. Don't know what it would do if it got close.

I know a lot about dogs. I have a dog, but after years of having him I obviously know what he's like and that I can control him etc. He's not a big dog and currently I spend a lot of time with him. I've walked him by myself with no problems. Very different owning your own dog.

I also know a fair amount of dogs in my local park and that my dog likes other dogs and which he'll certainly say hello to. People too for that matter. With these dogs it would be a new dog, no real bond with the dog, new area and meeting other dogs I don't know.

Have to say, I wouldn't like anyone else walking my dog for the same reasons. They don't know my dog like I do and he wouldn't feel as safe with someone else. Like if there's two big dogs he'll come and hide behind you if he doesn't feel safe. I know to reassure him and walk on. A stranger wouldn't know that and my dog may not react the same, he could just run around scared trying to escape the big dogs.

Caroline_a

If you go over to the Pet section here, there's a thread from someone whose puppy was killed by two dogs. As a (professional) dog walker you need to be able to resolve a situation like that. I owned a dog care business a few years ago, and when I interviewed for staff that was one of my first questions. People who couldn't answer that never made it past that - it's something that you have to be able to deal with, and it isn't an easy thing to do.

Additionally you would need to be able to deal with the aftermath - if you aren't good with stuff like that then stop now! Dogs get lots of scrapes and cuts, additionally, of course you will have to pick up after the dogs (and it's different when it's not your dog ) even if they have upset tummies!

Flyonthewall

Caroline_a wrote: »

If you go over to the Pet section here, there's a thread from someone whose puppy was killed by two dogs. As a (professional) dog walker you need to be able to resolve a situation like that. I owned a dog care business a few years ago, and when I interviewed for staff that was one of my first questions. People who couldn't answer that never made it past that - it's something that you have to be able to deal with, and it isn't an easy thing to do.

Additionally you would need to be able to deal with the aftermath - if you aren't good with stuff like that then stop now! Dogs get lots of scrapes and cuts, additionally, of course you will have to pick up after the dogs (and it's different when it's not your dog ) even if they have upset tummies!

Situations like that are difficult, it's not something that has just one answer. Obviously you want to get your dog away and keep both of you unharmed, but it probably wouldn't be so straightforward.

My dog doesn't get any scrapes or cuts.

I would pick up after them. I was going to say I wouldn't mind that part, but not sure that's quite the way to word it lol. Out of all things that's the least of my worries.

Flyonthewall

Just had a quick word with the company about insurance. They reckon I'd be covered by their insurance.

If I'm self employed I'm not so sure. From all I know and have read, I thought if you're self employed you needed your own insurance for everything. Can anyone confirm which is the case?

Mojisola

Flyonthewall wrote: »

Just had a quick word with the company about insurance. They reckon I'd be covered by their insurance.

If I'm self employed I'm not so sure. From all I know and have read, I thought if you're self employed you needed your own insurance for everything. Can anyone confirm which is the case?

This is all too casual! I wouldn't want to work for a company that's so vague about things.

My OH subcontracts out to companies. Before they take him on, they want to see whether his qualifications for the job match their requirements and have proof of them, have everything very clear about what's their responsibilities and what are his, need to see insurance info and so on.

Another thought: does your car insurance cover you for business use?

marybelle01

Flyonthewall wrote: »

They said if you see another dog turn around/pull it away, but my worry is I wouldn't be able to do that if the dog resists due to size and weight. Don't know what it would do if it got close.

That simply confirms to me that the company are not competant to take care of dogs and they are not competant to judge a person who would be! That is the worst thing that you can do. Pulling a dog away is actually far more likely to create the opposite reaction in a dog, making it more aggressive and escalating a situation which may not be out of control until you make it so! And avoidance does the same thing, teaching the dog that you are afraid of the situation and are avoiding it, so the dog has to step up to the leadership vacuum that you are leaving behind.