Dog Walking/Pet Minding

Flyonthewall

Mojisola wrote: »

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?

Well they said it "you will be covered by our insurance". So they're sure about it and it should cover all the services they offer. I am assuming, I know I shouldn't, but the way it was said is like I don't need to worry about any insurance as it's all covered under the company insurance.

Regardless of exactly what the insurance is, I'm not sure I'd be covered by it.

Flyonthewall

marybelle01 wrote: »

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.

I think it depends on the dog and why they don't like other dogs. Some dogs just need to be slowly introduced to other dogs and some will just never like others.

Turning them around and distracting them can work if done right and calmly. Dragging them away from a situation and/or making it a big deal is another matter.

marybelle01

This is a minefield waiting to explode in every aspect. Don't do it.

marybelle01

Flyonthewall wrote: »

I think it depends on the dog and why they don't like other dogs. Some dogs just need to be slowly introduced to other dogs and some will just never like others.

Turning them around and distracting them can work if done right and calmly. Dragging them away from a situation and/or making it a big deal is another matter.

Sorry - but rubbish. Dog are social, not solitary creatures. There is no such thing as a dog that will never like others. There are dogs that have been trained to fight. And dogs that have not been trained properly and so fight. But fighting is actually a social function for dogs because it establishes their place in the pack and the territory. Dogs that don't fight don't fight becuase they know their owners are in control and that the owner dtermines these matters and not them. Sorry bytr owning a small dog and walking it in familiar circumstances does not make you a skilled trainer or handler. You need to be both to do what you are contemplating.

Anyway - I have already said that I think that this is a disaster waiting to happen at every level. If you decide to go ahead no amount of common sense from others will change your mind.

Flyonthewall

marybelle01 wrote: »

This is a minefield waiting to explode in every aspect. Don't do it.

You're quite possibly right.

I don't know that, even with other aspects sorted, they'd get anyone else for the job. Sad thing is, there are plenty of other jobs I could do instead of this that would help the business far more, but I can't as that's the only part of the business they've decided they'd rather someone else do.

Flyonthewall

marybelle01 wrote: »

Sorry - but rubbish. Dog are social, not solitary creatures. There is no such thing as a dog that will never like others. There are dogs that have been trained to fight. And dogs that have not been trained properly and so fight. But fighting is actually a social function for dogs because it establishes their place in the pack and the territory. Dogs that don't fight don't fight becuase they know their owners are in control and that the owner dtermines these matters and not them. Sorry bytr owning a small dog and walking it in familiar circumstances does not make you a skilled trainer or handler. You need to be both to do what you are contemplating.

Anyway - I have already said that I think that this is a disaster waiting to happen at every level. If you decide to go ahead no amount of common sense from others will change your mind.

I know a dog that generally doesn't like other dogs and it's not through the fault of the owners. It's always been around dogs and socialised. Just a bit of a strange dog. It loves playing and running, not socialising.

Collie dogs typically like toys rather than other dogs. Most just ignore other dogs and focus on the toy. There are a number of dogs around my way that ignore dogs and focus on toys or just running.

I never said I was trained or skilled or anything. Just stating I do have a dog that I do walk and he's fine - but that's largely down to the fact he is my dog and I do know him very well. I know it wouldn't be the same with another dog, which is why I'm here asking if there's more to consider than the million worries that have already passed through my mind.

I was changing my mind before coming on here.

marlot

One additional thought. I was just talking to my dog walker now, and he'd just come from meeting a potential new dog/owner. His opinion was that the dog knew no boundaries (eg. it tried to nip him) and when he told it off the owner objected! Paul told them he wasn't prepared to walk their dog and left.

You probably would be expected to walk whatever the business owner signed up to.

Flyonthewall

marlot wrote: »

One additional thought. I was just talking to my dog walker now, and he'd just come from meeting a potential new dog/owner. His opinion was that the dog knew no boundaries (eg. it tried to nip him) and when he told it off the owner objected! Paul told them he wasn't prepared to walk their dog and left.

You probably would be expected to walk whatever the business owner signed up to.

True. Being self employed technically I should be able to say no to any dogs I am not prepared to walk. Probably won't work like that in reality though.

Flyonthewall

Just thought I'd add a quick update. I won't be doing the job for a number of reasons. They still insist that I'd be covered under their insurance and all I'd have to do is go to work.

Even if I were covered by the main insurance policies I'd still have business insurance on my car to sort which couldn't possibly be sorted or covered by them.

Gradually getting more dogs to walk also seems to have gone out the window and has been replaced with walking dogs all day everyday. Plus there's pet minding and sitting as well and long hours.

Be interesting to see if they manage to get anyone for the job (and keep them).

anarchied

Flyonthewall wrote: »

Far as I know the people currently walking them haven't, but it's possible they have. I certainly haven't though and I don't like First Aid things

You may not like them, but you'll undoubtedly need to go on one at some point. After all, how are you going to explain to an owner "sorry, your dog bled to death before I got him to the vet because I don't like first aid courses"? Horrid thought, I know, but as a dog walker/sitter myself I know it needs to be done.

You really need to get confirmation from the business what they expect from you, ideally in the format of a contract. Let them know beforehand what you can and can't do. As for clientele information, always ask for a copy if they are an existing customer or for a photocopy of their booking form if they're a new customer. I usually take a photo on my phone so that, if I ever need a contact number or vet info, I can whip out my phone and quickly find the information. With regards to vet treatment, we ask the owner if they would like their dog taken to a specific veterinary practice in case of emergencies or if they would be okay with the dogs being taken to the nearest vet.