How to choose a good dog walker?

Introduction

It's a significant decision to choose someone to walk your beloved pet while you're at work or even otherwise occupied.

You must examine the Dog walker's ability to build a functional relationship with your pet in addition to finding someone dependable and trustworthy.

You will discover more about the candidates and successfully choose the correct Dog walker for the Dog by inquiring about and examining the Dog walker's credentials, training method, and approach to the work.

Recruiting Candidates for the Position

Seek advice from your friends

If you own a dog, there's a good chance that a few of your friends do, too.

Find people that hire Dog walkers and ask them if they're happy with them.

Get their phone numbers.

• Inquire of your friends, for example, "How long have you dealt with your Dog walker?" "Are they trustworthy?" "When they're away, what type of coverage do they provide?" "Does your Dog look forward to seeing the Dog walker?"

• Check to see if their dog walkers are taking on new clients.

• Some dog walkers provide monetary incentives to customers who refer them, so keep that in mind when asking your friends for recommendations.

• If the dog walker is unable to accommodate your pet, inquire about referrals.

Consult your veterinarian or the staff at your local veterinary clinic

Consult your veterinarian or the staff at your local veterinary clinic

Consult your local animal shelter's volunteers

Animal shelters are a terrific place to look for people who care about dogs.

If they're the kind of person who gives their time to help others, they might be a great fit for walking the dog.

However, just because someone helps with animals does not imply that they are a competent Dog walker.

When approaching them, be sure to inquire about their dog-walking experience.

Visit a nearby dog park

While there will be a lot of Dog parents at the Dog park, there will also be a lot of Dog walkers.

Attend a local Dog park regularly and strike up talks with dog walkers whose technique you admire.

• Inquire if they accept new dogs.

• Some questions to consider are, "How many Dogs do you regularly walk in a day?" and "How many Dogs do you normally walk in a day?" "Do you have any specialities in terms of breeds or geographical areas?" "Have you been walking Dogs for a long time?"

Check out the going rates for dog walkers in your region

Dog walkers' average rates vary a lot around the country, so inquire around to see what other Dog owners in your region spend.

• The cost of a walk varies based on whether the walker is dealing with just your Dog or a group of dogs.

• You can also inquire about existing Dog walkers' rates and alter your pricing accordingly based on your location and experience.

• Find out if tipping is anticipated in addition to the agreed-upon rate.

Conducting Techniques

Make an appointment for an interview

Many dog-walking services provide a free initial assessment and meeting.

You can observe how the Dog walker engages with your pet during this time and determine whether you have a strong rapport with them.

• This is an excellent moment to see if the interviewee is on time and conducts himself professionally.

  After all, you're about to start a commercial relationship with them.

• Request that they join you on a trial stroll.

  This will enable you to demonstrate how you walk the Dog while also observing how they treat it.

Let's talk about the logistics

Where the Dog is going to be walked, how long these walks are going to be, and if the walker will arrive at the same time every day are all topics to address with your possible Dog walker.

Use this opportunity to explain your dog's needs to the interviewer.

• State your preferences clearly, such as "I prefer that you walk the Dog alone instead of with other dogs," or "It's best if you don't drive the Dog to a trial since it gets carsick."

Consider the following questions: "Can you tell me what kind of vehicle you use to carry the dogs?" "Do you keep your Dogs in the same crate in your car?" "Are you using my leashes or bringing your own?"

• Use the conversation to learn about the walker's work ethic.

  "Do you walk separately or with a friend?" or "Do you usually switch off your phone when you go for a walk?"

• Inquire, "How do I know you're here every day?" "Do you keep a written log of where you went, how long you walked, and whether the dog had any potty breaks?" You can also request a text from the walker when each stroll is done.

Inquire about coverage if the dog walker becomes ill or goes on vacation

Your Dog walker will most likely require you to take a bit of time off for illness or vacation at some point.

Your Dog walker may know someone who can help you find another Dog walker, or you might have to find one on your own.

If it's the former, figure out how you'll be notified of their departure and who is going to walk your Dog while you're gone.

• If your walker is going on vacation, ask if they can introduce the dog to their replacement ahead of time.

Determine whether or not the interviewee are going to be the main dog walker

Some Dog walkers operate alone, while others are part of a group or corporation.

If the individual you're interviewing isn't the one who'll be walking the Dog daily, request a meeting with the individual who will be doing that job.

• Independent Dog walkers are advantageous since they become familiar with your Dog and provide it with a sense of routine and security.

  If they have scheduling issues and no one to substitute for them, this could be a disadvantage.

• If you opt to walk with a company or a group of walkers, you are going to have extra emergency coverage.

  If you're with a group, make sure your dog sees the same walker most of the time.

  Request to fulfil all of the dog walkers who will be responsible for your pet.

Consider the experience of the dog walker

Inquire if they work with animals in any other capacities apart from walking them (like being a groomer or even veterinary technician, etc.).

This will reveal whether you are hiring someone passionate about animals and knows a lot about them or someone just looking for a quick buck.

• Inquire about their experience as a Dog walker, such as "How long have you worked as a Dog walker?" and "How many Dogs have you previously worked with?"

• Learn why they became a Dog walker by asking, "What made you choose to become a Dog walker?" and "Do you intend to do this indefinitely?" These questions will reveal the dog walker's enthusiasm as well as his or her training philosophy.

• Inquire about how they handled previous issues, such as a lost or injured dog.

Make sure their training philosophy is similar to yours

Check that the Dog walker will utilize positive reinforcement instead of shoving or yelling with your pet.

• Inquire about the type of discipline your Dog will receive, and be sceptical if the candidate claims to "punish" dogs.

  A response that includes phrases like "redirection" or "following directions" is more in accordance with a positive behaviour management approach.

• Inquire about "how you manage fights between Dogs you're walking," for example.

  alternatively, "What methods do you employ to decipher Dog body language?"

Inquire about the dogs who will be walking beside yours

You'll need to figure out the exact number of Dogs that will be walking with yours, as well as their sizes and breeds.

Consider these issues to see if you and the Dog walker are on the same page about how to approach the job.

• Some possible queries include, "How do you determine whether Dogs are appropriate for walking together?" or "Have you ever had problems with Dogs fighting when you were walking them?" "How did you deal with it?"

• Check to see if the Dog walker adheres to the "50 percent" guideline when matching dogs: if the Dog has a weight of 25 pounds, his companions should weigh no more than 50 pounds.

Check to see if they are prepared in the event of an emergency

Inquire about your interviewee's ability to provide canine first aid.

Learn how they deal with or have dealt with emergencies.

• Inquire about specific emergency veterinary clinics, such as "Which emergency veterinary facilities have you used?" "Are you familiar with local clinics?"

• "What kinds of emergency cases have you faced and what was your reaction?" is another topic to ponder.

  "What are you going to do with other Dogs while you're taking care of the injured one?"

Check to see if they're licensed, bonded, and insured

You will be entrusting your pet to the Dog walker, as well as granting them entrance to your home.

During the interview, check their professional paperwork for proof of the insurance coverage and licensure.

• Your Dog walker's liability insurance is going to cover any injuries to your Dog as well as any damages caused by the Dog while being in their care.

  It is also going to cover any mishaps that occur at home, whereas the pet sitter is present.

• Bonding entails an insurance company providing a bond that is going to cover the damages while the dog walker is operating for you.

  Depending on your walker's insurance coverage, this may not be necessary.

• Because there are no specialized licenses for pet sitters, they need to have a business license in your community.

Putting Candidates to the Test and Making a Decision

Join the dog walker on a walk

After you've narrowed down your list of prospects, go for a stroll with a few who performed well in the interview.

Let your Dog walker handle the leash if you are at ease, and observe whether the prospective walker is gentle and assertive with the Dog and whether your Dog is at ease with them.

If you want them to treat your Dog a certain way, give them precise instructions (walk slowly or fast or let off the leash in particular areas).

Unless you express your preferences clearly, they will be unaware of your preferences.

• Throughout the walk, pay attention to both your dog's and the walker's body language.

  Do they appear to be at ease with each other?

• Check to see if the candidate seems to be paying attention to your dog's needs, such as modifying the speed or tone of voice if appropriate.

Examine their track record

After you've interviewed a few possible Dog walkers, call a few references for every one of them.

Be alert if every reference you contact has reservations about the Dog walker or even refuses to discuss them.

You may also look for reviews of the Dog walker on the internet.

• You might want to ask your references the following questions: "Did the Dog walker serve you for a long time?" "Did your dog have a good time with the walker?" "Have there ever been any problems, such as fighting or lost personal property?"

Choose a walker and enter into a contract with them

Once you've decided on a Dog walker, it's time to formalize your agreement.

The rate, number of times and in what way you will pay, the period the Dog will be walked per day, and the cancellation clause if either of you has to change the plan on short notice should all be specified in a contract agreement between you and the Dog walker.