Are horse people just fussier about dog walkers?

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lizh

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Honestly, I've moved to London recently and the quality of dogwalkers is absolutely awful. I am gone 12 hours a day and so paid a small fortune for someone to have my dogs out of the house 10am to 2pm (I also give them a good walk at the start and end of the day).

So, long story short, had my suspicions. Happened to need to go home for a delivery and so didn't tell my dogwalker. Turned up at 12 noon - and my dogs were at home having been 'walked'. As she didn't know I was going to be there, she was assuming my 15 year old could last 7 hours in the house (which she can, just).

Anyway, that's her gone, she was registered on NARPS and seemed great. How do I go about finding someone reliable? Any ideas? Can I find an ex-groom in London????? At least I know they'd be hard working, reliable, observant and 'doggy'... is it an acceptable selection criteria? And how do I find one in Central London??? :) It's so frustrating....
 
I hope you told the dog walker exactly what you thought of them! Perhaps ask your vets if they can recommend anyone, or if you see other dog owners when you are walking yours try asking them. Hope you are able to sort something soon.
 
I was in a simar position to you when I got my dog. As OH and I worked shifts, I wanted my dog when he was a pup to be in a dog crèche as it was unfair for him to be left at home for long hours.

Alarm bells were already ringing when I met one lady who was very pushy. I gave her a go as her rates were good but was not impressed when I collected him one day and she told me he ate her own dog's food "but it's okay, it's only Bakers puppy food"!

The last straw was when I said I'd come collect my pup at 4pm, got there and was made waiting for 20 mins as she was not home. The lady turns up with her pet dogs in her car, claimed she had a new client to interview and promptly showed me my pup crated for goodness how long. I wasn't impressed I was paying for someone to leave my puppy alone, which was specifically what I didn't want to do!

I found a fantastic dog walker by chance as my OH met him at work and got chatting to him. He came round and was really friendly and not pushy at all and I felt confident leaving my dog with him. Now my dog comes to work with me as I've changed jobs, but I would try asking at vets and interview loads of dog walkers and only go with the person you feel comfortable with. All those registered dog walking business malarky I wouldn't take too seriously as most people pay to be affiliated to those organisations. Perhaps ask some dog owners you meet in the park at the weekends and see if they can recommend anyone. Chances are being in London, they'll use dog walkers too and word of mouth is often best.
 
I tend to find the ones that offer a long period of time (walkers) don't actually walk them, they either walk a normal amount of time (an hour) and return home in the hope no one will be there or like someone here (drive the dogs in the car for 2 hours):eek: whilst she starts at dog number 1 then collects all, then returns and drops them all back off:confused: some owners are apparently aware and happy for the dog to get the car ride:eek:

My OH won't commit to offer over the hour walks (even though) he has been asked to have them all day, it's realistic, he collects all dogs and walks them for exactly 1 hour or more (paggers them) on some lovely scenic walks or takes them swimming to the rivers (in summer he can be out walking for a good hour and a half) and returns the dogs very tired and filthy in winter:o:D
He even takes 1 husky out on the bike for it's walk (ride):D

He did used to take 3 puppies for 4 hours (little walk) and bring them home to play then return them home then reduced it to 2 hours as they got older and now they are adults they get the hour walks.

I actually have yearly calendars made up of all the seasons featuring clients dogs:)
A sitter (obs takes the dogs home) and they have to pop out obviously and it's healthy for a puppy/any dog to spend some short periods alone to get it accustomed to feeling secure in it's own company (so do expect a sitter to certainly pop out) and crate maybe for safety, either to stop destruction or stop pup hurting it's self (obs no longer than an hour left).

OH does not advertise, it's been clients giving our details out to others or clients who have seen him out walking who has approached him about waking their dog so I would indeed suggest going to local dog walking areas and actively look out for a dog walker or follow a van and see for yourself if they actually walk the dogs. I would then maybe look for a creche (all day) or go for a walk mid day and then maybe a 2nd visit for a toilet break.

Ps, it's a disgrace what the sitter/walker did (no shame) I am a sceptic though and like to do some investigative work lol. I to would pop home to check (accidental or not)lol. You are paying for a service you are not getting.
 
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I feel your pain.

The dog walker I had in London got caught out by my builders. She would arrive at the house and instead of walking my dog she opened the back door for him to have a wee and sat in the lounge eating her sandwiches watching telly. After about half an hour she left ( I was paying her for the hour ) :D

Down here I have a lovely dog sitter and they live in her home like family.
 
where are you exactly? I have a friend who lives in Wimbledon and she has a dog walker who comes out twice for her dog (working cocker) and that dog walker is good.
 
I know a lovely dog walker in SE London if that's any use? She regularly posts photos of the dogs careering around out on walks on her FB so you can see your pup is definitely out and about having a great time. She has a beautiful horse though, so perhaps it's true what you say about horse people! PM me if you'd like details.
 
MurphysMinder - never fear - the (ex) dogwalker is in absolutely no doubt how I feel now! How dare she treat my dogs like that...

BBH, I suspect if I had builders here, that's what I'd have discovered too. Horrible.

Cayla, I agree with what you say, that they are perfectly capable of being on their own for periods of time, however I did say I am away 12 hours a day and they really can't be left with just one hour of interaction in a day. Particularly if this is not in the middle of the day (as per this walker), leaving my old dog seven or eight hours is not fair on her weakening bladder, she hasn't made a mistake yet but she is noticeably distressed and bursting when I get home. Also, they are fit and healthy, even if one is elderly and that lack of stimulation is not fair on them.

Totally agree that an hour's walk in rough ground where they can be off the lead that's great for them, however with the parks around me, 1 hour on the lead at the speed a dog walker goes is not exercise.

The last couple of days they have come in the car with me so they drive for an hour, walk (in proper fields, chasing bunnies) for an hour, sit in the car four hours; walk 40 mins; sit for four hours, walk for 20 mins and an hours drive home. At least their day is slightly broken up that way. Then when we get home we go for a couple of short walks.

Luci, your friend has a good thing! Unfortunately I'm more south east than that; though Wimbledon is sort of on my way to work, Puppystich I am going to PM you right now!

Thanks guys! The sympathy is appreciated. I feel awful that I've allowed them to be treated like this.
 
I've got fab dog walkers - for the last eight years! In N. Kent, though, so no use to you, OP, but thought I'd let you know that they do exist. Seen me and GSD through all sorts of dramas n traumas and I trust them implicitly. No so the charlatan ex police dog handler who, allegedly, kept my GSD, then a youngster, at his home overnight whilst I went to Devon for my aunt's funeral. I discovered from his furious (soon after ex) wife that he stayed in his girlfriend's house that night and my precious dog had spent the night in the back of his van!!
So that was two incandescent -with -rage women he had to face! Not only did his wife get rid, so did I. He went to Yorkshire soon after.
 
Burmilla said:
I've got fab dog walkers - for the last eight years! In N. Kent, though, so no use to you, OP, but thought I'd let you know that they do exist. Seen me and GSD through all sorts of dramas n traumas and I trust them implicitly. No so the charlatan ex police dog handler who, allegedly, kept my GSD, then a youngster, at his home overnight whilst I went to Devon for my aunt's funeral. I discovered from his furious (soon after ex) wife that he stayed in his girlfriend's house that night and my precious dog had spent the night in the back of his van!!
So that was two incandescent -with -rage women he had to face! Not only did his wife get rid, so did I. He went to Yorkshire soon after.
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HAHAHAHA!!! Incandescent doesn't even begin to describe how I feel.... I left very honest comments on her facebook page including copying in her emails assuring me what she would do. She's had to take her page down. Search for her company, or for her entry on NARPS and she doesn't get rave reviews. Hopefully no-one else will ever have to experience her 'care'. But I'm relieved to hear from some of you that good walkers do exist (I actually had one too before I moved locations).

I'm sure my idea of selecting horse people is a good one, there just aren't that many in London to choose from.

The search continues.....
 
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