Dog walkers...

[Toffee44]

Who here uses dog walkers? Or are one?

I had to use one a couple of times while OH was away and I was working.

I paid £10/ hour and £5/ hour for extra dogs (So £15 for my two) she did top up bowls, took Will (the old one) round the garden so he pooed and is to my knowledge insured and the hour doesnt start until dogs are out of the car and on their walk. She only walked my two together.


Dunno if this is good or not? I personally was impressed and she sent me a picture message of them in the woods saying "having a great time".

Also how do I find out if she really is insured etc? And what does her insurance cover exactly?

 

[Naryafluffy]

My friend is a dog walker and charges on a sliding scale i.e. 1 walk per week is £12 for nd hour and a half walk 5 walks a week is £45 so the more walks you book the cheaper per walk it is, they mainly go on pack walks with a maximum of 5 dogs (including her 2) on the walk, she picks them up in her van and they then go to a wooded/open area, having been with her on a couple of occassions the dogs have great fun and her older ridgeback is very good at keeping everyone in line and the scuffles to a minimum.
Finding out about insurance you would probably have to ask to see the insurance certificate to be 100% sure.
Not sure what the insurance would cover, my friends covers for accidents to the dog i.e. if it got attacked by another dog when in her care or if it attacked another dog when in her care the vets bills would be cover, also has public liability so if they caused injury to a person again she is covered (several large ridgebacks could knock people over).
You can request morning or afternoon walks depending on when you work etc.
I know my friend has also done degrees etc in dog behaviour and psychology, but there is no requirement to do these (I could decide tomorrow to start a dog walking/grooming business and no regulations in place currently to stop me).

 

[CAYLA]

My OH walks dogs, he charges £9 per hour and half for 2nd dog, but thats is cos they are on the door step.
He has insurance, it covers dogs off lead (owner has to sign to give permission) and it covers them in transit, public liability, vet fees, loss of keys for clients houses.
I would ask her if I where you, she should have a certificate of insurance to show you.
We have hundreds of pictures of ours walking, I usually make an album up for them for Xmas and give them the years worth of adventures their dogs have been on through summer, spring, autumn and winter, it makes a lovely present and it gives them piece of mind that they do get walked, even though they would never question it, as OH returns them minging and paggered

 

[Murphs_Mum]

We use a dog walker for humbug when we are on day shifts or lates. When he was tiny she would pop it and take him in garden for a play, feed etc and charged us £5 a time. Walking now is £8 per half and 10 an hour. We are really lucky with her - she is "ex job" and appreciates our shift pattern and short notice changes. She also does day care in her own home £15 and overnights £20. Totally trust her and humbug adores her. When he was really poorly she was taking photos of him and texting them to me at work so I could see if any change in the swellings/eye. Fab service!