Some may think that employing a dog walker is a good idea. In the most part it is a great idea once you find the right walker!
It is very important that you pick the right person or company to work with your dog. One slip up and you could be in for a bumpy ride trying to fix the problems caused by an inexperienced dog walker. These problems can range from pulling on the lead to serious behavioural issues.
Insurance
Reputable Dog Walkers will have adequate insurance. Generally a single dog walker can only walk a maximum of 3 dogs. This is because walking anymore than 3 dogs is dangerous from a health and safety point of view.Take your Dog Walkers Insurance Details. Make sure your dog is walked with other social dogs. Check if you are liable if your dog damages another dog or person while in the company of the dog walker.
Equipment
Make sure your dog walker does not use choke chains, prong collars or harnesses that employ P+ or punishment (pain, fear, water squirt, interactive punishment) if your dog pulls or does something wrong.
Training
Make sure your dog walker understands how to teach a dog ‘loose lead’ walking. Every dog walker should have a basic understanding of canine behaviour. They should know how to build confidence in shy or fearful dogs and teach self control to more bouncy dogs.
If they are trained then from where and is it recognised or simply an online course?
Canine First Aid
Is your dog walker certified in Canine First Aid? Do they know what to do in the event of an emergency or dog fight?
If they are certified then from where? And is their cert up to date?
Transport
Is the vehicle used to transport the dogs safe (crates with soft bedding), clean, temperature controlled (cool in summer, warm in winter), insured and appropriate?
The Law
Is the dog walker aware of the control of dogs act? Will they be letting your dog offlead? Remember you are still liable for any damage that your dog may cause whether they are with you or the walker.
This area is NOT REGULATED. There are no laws or recommendations for dog walkers so the advice from us is Buyer Beware.
Some companies who tick all the boxes are as follows:
www.doggienannywalks.com
www.dogtiredwalks.com
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