Your guide to hiring a dog walker
If you ever entrust a dog walker to take your beloved dog out for a walk, be sure to ask a lot of questions first.
You want to make sure you can trust your dog walker and you also want to ensure you’re on the same page when it comes to caring for your dog.
It’s important to note that you, as the dog’s owner are responsible for your dog’s behavior at all times, even when they’re with their dog walker.
The role of the dog walker is to walk your dog, giving them some fun, exercise and fresh air when you can’t and any dog walker worthy of the job title will also do their very best to keep your dog as safe as possible.
But it’s important for you, as the client to acknowledge that your dog walker could do everything right, and your dog could still have an issue with another dog during their walk, especially if they came across another dog who is off-leash, overly bouncy and exuberant or unnecessarily aggressive.
This happened just the other day.
One of my dog walkers had our client’s dog on leash and they were minding their own business, enjoying their walk together. Unfortunately, someone else’s dog jumped out of a parked car and bit my client’s dog, giving both the dog walker and dog a huge fright.
My teammate couldn’t have prevented it. He didn’t see the dog until it was mid-leap and by this point, it was too late to avoid the catastrophe.
These things do happen from time to time because dogs are live beings capable of making their own decisions.
Always arrange a meeting with your dog walker beforehand, so they can meet your dog, get a key and see where the dog walking gear and water bowl are kept.
I would never send an unknown dog walker into a dog’s home without the owner present.
It’s unusual for a dog to accept a complete stranger into their home and leave the property with them (although that said, some dogs will happily go anywhere with anyone).
The perfect dog - dog walker combo
It’s in everyone’s best interest to find the perfect dog - dog walker combo and there are a few things you can do to help.
Teach your dog to walk nicely (without pulling) on leash
Teach your dog to come when called
Let your dog walker know if your dog:
Has ever been in a dog fight
Has ever bitten another dog or person
Has had any obedience training
Is fearful of any kinds of dogs or people
Is allergic to a specific food (because many of us like to use food treats to reward dogs for good behavior)
In regards to dogs coming back when called, I personally never walk dogs off-leash until I have established a bond with the dog.
Occasionally I’ve had new clients ask me to walk their dogs off-leash during our first walk, but I’ll point out the risks and recommend using an extendable leash for the first few walks instead. This way the dog has the illusion of freedom but I still have control.
Here are some questions to ask your dog walker
What time of day will you walk my dog?
How long will the walk be?
Where are you planning on walking my dog?
I would like my dog to get some off-leash time. How will you make sure my dog returns to you?
Will you be walking my dog as part of a pack walk?
If so, how do you keep the pack under control (prevent them from fighting or running away)?
Will you clean my dog if he/she rolls in something gross or gets muddy during the walk?
What’s your plan if my dog goes missing when out on a walk with you?
Can you show me proof of your clean criminal record?
Do you have insurance?
Will you be updating me after each walk?
Keep your communication open with your dog walker.
If you take your dog out and they have an issue with another dog or person, let your walker know.
Your walker should also return the favor and let you know if they experienced anything unusual in your dog’s temperament or health.
For more puppy raising tactics, save your seat in my free masterclass
“3 Simple Tactics for Raising a Well-Behaved Dog”
