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When
you choose a walker, you are entrusting your
pet to someone else, this makes it important
you make the right choice for you and your
pet.
Walking
dogs, especially for someone else, needs some
experience - here are some things that you
should consider when choosing a dog walker:-
-
The walker's experience of walking dogs,
-
Their reliability and feelings about dogs.
-
How your pet behaves with the walker.
-
They should really enjoy working with dogs
and be really patient with them.
What are your requirements?
Before choosing a Dog Walker you should have
a firm idea of your requirements :-
-
How often do you want your pet to be walked?
Once a day, twice a day or more frequently?
-
Do you need a regular dog walker or you
just need someone for dog walking occasionally.
- Do
you prefer a regular person walking your
pet.
- Do
you require your dog to be picked up or
walked from your home/workplace.
- Can
you dog be exercised off the lead when being
walked.
- Can
your dog be given treats to eat whilst being
on a walk.
- Walking
a dog can be expensive establish how much
exercise can you afford to pay for?
Finding
the
Dog Walker
-
Ask
other pet owners, your vet, friends or your
local pet store for recommendations about
dog walking providers
-
Make sure the walker has references and
ask about insurance (at least Public Liability
Insurance)
- If
you intend that the dog walker visits your
house to walk your pet while you are absent,
make sure they are CRB checked
-
Ask
the dog walker if they have a regular vet
they use
-
Ask
them if they have a back-up plan in the
event of illness or emergency where they
cannot attend to your dog.
-
Ask the walker whether he or she walks dogs
in large groups or individually - the more
dogs a walker walks at once, the less attention
he or she can pay to each onr. Check whether
the walker offers small-group or individual
walks, if necessary.
-
Ask about the walker's water, feeding and
cleanup policies ( they should abide by
the laws and will clean up after your pet
when they take him/her walking)
-
Check
the leash used will be suitable for your
dog, especially if several dogs will all
be on one leash.
-
Find out the time and duration of the walks
- the walker should be able to accommodate
your schedule.
-
What
are the costs, are they varied for different
times of the day or for separate walking.
-
Check to see whether the walker can provide
for any special needs your pet may have.
eg. is your pet a puppy or an older dog?
-
Ask
about the areas the walks will take place
in and you should consider if there are
any traffic concerns.
-
Check
the dog walker's references and record of
reliability also check and write down his
or her identification information, address
and phone number.
- If
it will be necessary for the walker to transport
your pet ensure their vehicle is properly
adapted for transporting dogs.
- What
experience does the dog walker have, are they
able to diffuse problems between dogs, do
they know basic first aid.
- Does
the dog walker require your pet to have had
any specific vaccinations?
General
advice
-
Make
sure your dog is friendly enough to accept
going for a walk with this new person. A
great idea is to arrange a walk with just
yourself, the walker and your dog and with
no other dogs along. Your dog may adapt
much easier to the experience of having
a walker if you go along the first time
the walker is walking your dog. Pay the
dog walker for this special initial walk,
of course.
-
When
first meeting a new dog walker watch your
dog's reaction to him/her they need to like
the person just as much as you do.
-
Note
how your dog acts before and after the walks,
do they appear sufficiently exercised and
happy, your dog enjoys being with you and
should also enjoy being walked by the new
walker.
-
Provide the walker with emergency information,
including your pet's medical history and
your veterinarian's phone number.
-
Walkers who own or have recently owned a
pet are likely to better relate to your
dog and can provide for your pet's emotional
needs as well as his or her physical needs.
-
Be
specific about your pet's health. Always
inform your dog walker about your dog's
health and dietary needs. Your dog's diet
is sensitive and should not be altered without
the advice of your vet. If you have specific
treats for your dog, be sure to give proper
instructions to your walker in regard to
this.
With
all your questions answered to your satisfaction
and you are in a position to choose, at this
point it is not unreasonable to suggest a trial
period with the dog walker or even accompany
your dog on his first walk with the new walker.
It
is essential you choose a dog walker whose approach
you are happy with and who you are confident
you can trust.
See
more of our popular Articles
on the Blog Archive pages |
|
David W Bates www.doggy-blog.co.uk
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