Dog Walkers -- Rules for Engagement

rozcalvert · November 2008

It was a beautiful day to be a dog walker; great to be out in the streets and dog runs with my sweet dog clients. But when I am on my route, I see some really unprofessional dog walkers.

So I'm passing along a few tips from a pro about what to be aware of.

Screen carefully when you hire a walker. Get references, call them.
Find out how long the walker has been in the biz. Lots of people come and go thinking this is an easy gig. It is not. A longtimer is probably a good bet.

Make certain the walker does not leave your dog tied to gates when s/he goes in a building to get another dog. Or outside a store when the walker needs to go inside.

Insist your dog is not walked with more than two other dogs at once. If you are paying $15 per walk, your dog should not be cheated by being on a group dog walk.

Make sure you are getting the full half hour. Real pros don't cut corners.

Spy. It's not weird to spy on your dogwalker, or have a neighbor do so. This is your precious pet. The real pros love your dog and know s/he is your treasure.

Find out how many stops your walker makes each day. If s/he is walking 12 or 14 dogs a day, you've got to wonder about the quality of the walk. Eight or less stops a day means you are probably getting a quality walk.

Does the walker refill water dish, clean up accidents? They should.

Ask your dog. If s/he seems pleased and calm when you get home, and like s/he has a little secret, she probably had a good walk.

Does the walker communicate with you about anything but money? S/he should, you have the right to know how your dog's walks are, what s/he enjoys or does that is funny. You deserve to know if the bowels are loose or paws are sore. A good walker will want to communicate with you about your pet becasue s/he loves the pet too.

I believe these rules of thumb are good ones. There are many great walkers in Brooklyn. Don't settle for just anyone with a pocket full of plastic bags and comfortable shoes.

The No-Hurry Dog Walker

petsitter07 · January 2009

how long do you keep the dogs out in bad weather? rain snow or when it's real hot out?

poochandkitty · January 2009

petsitter07 wrote: how long do you keep the dogs out in bad weather? rain snow or when it's real hot out?

A professional dog walker and their customer should agree up front on how to handle keeping dogs out when its too hot, too cold, too wet, too icey, etc.

The ideal arrangement that I make is that if weather conditions are dangerous, or if the dog is clearly unhappy being outside, I will cut the walk short and make up the time on another walk (or we agree to forego the time, but dog walker/customer agree to this).

I have customers that say "its okay, just keep him/her outside, he/she is fine!", and then we talk about health & happiness from MY perspective. There are some things I'm not willing to compromise anymore... if its too hot and the dog can't breathe, I'm taking him or her home. If its so cold that the dog is shivering badly, likewise, I'm bringing him or her home.

Phyllis
Pooch & Kitty
http://www.poochandkitty.net

rozcalvert · January 2009

Subject: keeping dogs out in inclimate weather

Ditto on how previous poster handles her clients. I too judge the needs of the dog and adjust time of walk accordingly. Most clients have a pretty good idea of what their dogs can take and I usually agree. On rainy days most dogs just want a "business" trip. And there is some business they just hate to do in the rain. Owners and walkers should be aware of salt and electric surge dangers in this weather. Keep dogs away from anything like lamposts or metal con edison plates. Dogs get shocked. Also wax the feet. Snow removers do not spare the salt and it burns doggie feet. Make sure feet are getting rinsed every day or so and use musher's wax or cooking spray on the feet before going into the streets.

The No-Hiurry Dog Walker

Dog Walkers -- Rules for Engagement

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