Dog walkers

[Dizzle]

Can someone explain how dog walkers work? I get the concept of course, you pay someone to walk your dog, but how do they get in your house to get the dog? Do they have keys? How do they charge? Per hour? Do they walk on/off lead? Alone/in a pack?

Just wanting to get some ideas of how it works and the costs involved!

Thanks

 

[gunnergundog]

My response won't be very helpful, but it varies!!! It depends on the individual dog walker and also the geographic area and what you request.

They need a key to get into your house...yes. They will walk on leash or off....depending on what you/they are happy with. Some walk packs of dogs together from multiple owners, some walk one on one, some will do both....depending on what you ask for.

Some charge by the hour or half hour.

Check that they have insurance and that if they need to transport your dog to the walking area what they do for transport and also for cleansing aforementioned transport between dogs.

 

[ladyearl]

I am a dog walker.

Firstly I would set up a meeting to meet you and your dog in your home. This is to see how the dog reacts to me coming in. I would have paperwork to be filled in with lots of details about your dog and your contact details. I would have vet release form which allows me to take your dog to the vet in the event of an accident. I would also have a terms and conditions form which sets out the expectations of both parties. We would discuss pricing walks etc at the meeting. If your dog has a reliable recall and you want it walked off the lead when possible you will also be asked to sign a form authorising this. I would ask to see your dog's vac cert. I would show you my police disclosure form, my insurance documents and my references. I would need a set of keys to collect the dog as agreed unless someone is going to be home when I come round.

Beware people who don't show you their docs or ask for much information from you, ask how many they walk at once because I think 6 is the limit for most insurance companies. It's not unrealistic to ask if you can join the walker for a walk, I've have done this with a new client before.