© Poppy and Pals Pet Care 2015
Here are our tips on what to look for in a dog walker:
- Make sure they have training in body language or dog behaviour. Walking ‘a’ dog or owning your own dog is good but it isn’t enough to be able to safely walk dogs, as a professional business. Ask them what they would do in the case of a dog fight or if a dog is scared and won’t come to them.
- Is first aid trained.
- Most insurance companies cover up to 6 dogs per walk, and some walkers may always take 6 dogs to make as much profit as possible. If the dogs get on that’s fine, but chances are there may be some conflict, a lip curl or silent snarl may be hard to observe in a large group. Some dogs may get lost and become withdrawn when out in a large pack.
- Always picks up. If I had a Pound for every time I have witnessed a dog walker (be them the owner or not) leave a dog poo in a field, verge or the pavement, my dogs would be wearing gold collars! It can be hard if the dogs are off-lead or if you have many dogs with you but that is no excuse. I am personally so disgusted I have become the crazy dog lady who will pick up any abandoned dog poo I see, in case someone thinks it was left by a dog I walk.
- Knows the law. As part of my degree, I had to learn about the law, but the laws change quickly, and so we educate ourselves and keep up to date with any changes for the safety of your dog and the public.
- Aim to enhance the life of your dog. This may be a business, but it is also our vocation. We want you and your dog to be happy!
