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**Leanne**
Dogsey Senior
**Leanne** is offline  
Location: Scotland,UK
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 330
Female 
 
19-05-2009, 12:54 PM

Dog Walkers

After seeing a few threads about dog walkers and horror stories - what do you look for in a dog walker??

I do dog walking part time, I have a few clients and it suits me fine. I'm fully insured and have a full disclosure that I can show my clients. I do not walk more than 3 and no not walk different clients dog's together - if they want some socialisation I use Shadow (my dog) as I know his temperament and is very submissive - all clients have met Shadow and Fly so they know what they are like. I treat their dog's like my own and have a really good relationship with my clients. I have also had them stay over in my home. And would never take on a dog I didnt think i could handle, but some of the stories on here have both shocked me and disgusted me! What do you look for in a dog walker??
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kobebear
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19-05-2009, 01:30 PM
Choosing a dog walker i feel now is a difficult challenge.

We had a dog walker up till yesterday when she let our dogs be stolen but got them back thankfully.

I am now looking for someone else but its hard for me to put my special dogs into the care of someone i need to trust, i will ask about insurance and much more questions than i did before.
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pupsandpets
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19-05-2009, 01:50 PM
Hi Leanne

You're pretty much what I looked for.

Insurance very important.
Reassurance you know how to handle dogs, IE do the walkers have their own dogs, how long have they been doing it.
Never hurts to get a reference from other clients.
K9 Capers walkers also have to have police checks.

I would NEVER have a walker that takes mine to places I don't allow or approve or with other dogs unless I know them. But most responsible walkers I've come across don't take more than 3 or 4 max.

So far my walker only takes mine.
He makes appointments for each client so they have their own time slot.

I also made a point of being around when the walker turned up on ocassion so I could see how my dogs reacted towards the walker. If they rush to them happy & giddy I know they liked him and they had a good bond.
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pupsandpets
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19-05-2009, 01:51 PM
Originally Posted by kobebear View Post
Choosing a dog walker i feel now is a difficult challenge.

We had a dog walker up till yesterday when she let our dogs be stolen but got them back thankfully.

I am now looking for someone else but its hard for me to put my special dogs into the care of someone i need to trust, i will ask about insurance and much more questions than i did before.
Have a look on K9 capers website to see if they have a representative in your area.
Sadly mine quit after 2 years but she was great and the company ensured they came with insurance, police checks and dedicated time slots so they only looked after yours.
You had to sign your consent for where they could take them, if you allowed them off lead etc. It was very specific and professional.
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Mother*ship
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Location: West London, UK
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19-05-2009, 01:53 PM
Fortunately I don't have to use one but if I did I think I would ring a few up, find out where they walked and stalk them!

Only if you watch how they are with the dogs when they don't know you are a potential customer will you get a true idea of them. In fact I'd take my dog and make a point of bumping into them, stopping for a chat, making a fuss of the other dogs they walk, see how they are with mine. Only then would I feel confident. Insurance and police checks would be needed as well!

J
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labradork
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19-05-2009, 01:58 PM
Originally Posted by pupsandpets View Post
Hi Leanne

You're pretty much what I looked for.

Insurance very important.
Reassurance you know how to handle dogs, IE do the walkers have their own dogs, how long have they been doing it.
Never hurts to get a reference from other clients.
K9 Capers walkers also have to have police checks.

I would NEVER have a walker that takes mine to places I don't allow or approve or with other dogs unless I know them. But most responsible walkers I've come across don't take more than 3 or 4 max.

So far my walker only takes mine.
He makes appointments for each client so they have their own time slot.

I also made a point of being around when the walker turned up on ocassion so I could see how my dogs reacted towards the walker. If they rush to them happy & giddy I know they liked him and they had a good bond.
Same here, except I wouldn't mind if mine was walked with another dog or two.

Having a canine first aid course would also be a good thing to have IMO.
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Mother*ship
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19-05-2009, 04:28 PM
Originally Posted by pupsandpets View Post
Have a look on K9 capers website to see if they have a representative in your area.
Sadly mine quit after 2 years but she was great and the company ensured they came with insurance, police checks and dedicated time slots so they only looked after yours.
You had to sign your consent for where they could take them, if you allowed them off lead etc. It was very specific and professional.
I'm afraid this company have good and bad, I didn't like to mention the company name but pls see my thread re SBT x Affen!

J
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**Leanne**
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Location: Scotland,UK
Joined: May 2008
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19-05-2009, 05:23 PM
I'm also a trained vet nurse so have first aid training, only used it once with one of the dog's who cut her paw whilst out on a walk. I also let owners know if anything out of ordinary has happened or if their dog has had different bowel movements than normal. I'm in constant contact with my clients and see them when I can just for a wee chat and friendly with their neighbours. I'm only doing the walking until I attend college in September and I also work in boarding kennels, all my clients know this is only temp but I will be sad to give it up.
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pupsandpets
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Location: Cheshire
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19-05-2009, 06:29 PM
Originally Posted by Mother*ship View Post
I'm afraid this company have good and bad, I didn't like to mention the company name but pls see my thread re SBT x Affen!

J
Sorry - perhaps I shouldn't have mentioned the name.

I just saw your post and that is ridiculous.
The papers we had from ours though did state they wont walk a bitch while in heat.
Perhaps its not a company thing but more the individuals but shows the responsible ones!
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Mouse
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Location: Nottingham, UK
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19-05-2009, 09:56 PM
Was only thinking today that I can only think of maybe 2 people max who I would really trust walking my dog! (yes Pumpkinpie you are one of them!). So trying to look for a complete stranger who would have to have keys to my house fills me with absolute fear

It is something that I would like to do though. Wouldn't know where to start with things such as insurance.
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