Just wanted some much appreciated opinions plz!

I work part time 2 days a week from 10 till 4 and i thought about getting a dog walker, i have heard there are a couple in my area, does anyone know what the procedure is do they have to be checked out by  police or vets or anything,  after all we wouldnt leave our kids with anyone not qualified or do we go by word of mouth?  Also my husband is not keen on someone we dont know, coming in to our house, but i think Todd would love the socialisation he just loves with other dogs and it would give me peace of mind  while im at work, i have heard lots of people have them, any opinions would be great thanks again.

Hello,

I've one in the past who was police checked and insured to walk no more than 4 dogs at a time which was great, the problem i had with her was that i wanted my dog picked up at a certain time as i had a routine re her food and medication etc but a lot of the time when she was meant to be picked up at 12 the walker wouldn't arrive until 2 or even later..no good for me so i stopped it.

I have just employed another one who starts tomorrow arriving at 8 so will let you know how it goes..i got his name and details from another walker who was full and had no other places left, i have seen this particular dog walker out and have spoken to him before, he seems very pleasant and the dogs appear very happy with him, i'm going by word of mouth as a lot of dog walkers do this as an "extra" whilst walking their own dogs and wouldn't have been police checked.

I would get a couple around to your house for a chat and to see how Todd gets on with them and go with who you feel is right for your situation.

The one who ive just employed was very flexible saying he could walk mine on her own, with others, strenuous/light walk, up hills, no hills whatever suited my dog and my time.

Good luck

hiya annee,

Thanks for your reply its terrible isnt it worrying about them my kids are grown up and now i worry about him.  Would be great to hear how you get on.  Did you leave your last one a house key?

Yes she had a key..no worries at all.

I will of course let you know how the new guy is..my dog is on a weight lose fitness regime so she wont know what has hit her as she went to hydrotherapy yesterday aswell and will be combining that with lots of walking.

I dog walk, and dog sit at my house, I'm fully insured,and police checked.
I dont have more  than 4 dogs staying with me at one time, as I have 7 of my own, they all have to get on well, and most of them enjoy the company.
I have 2 dogs whom I walk daily, and the owners have given me a key to there houses, also if there away for the day I can pop in and let there dogs out, or if working late ,they may call for me to walk and feed there dogs, I have built a good business through trust, and being reliable.
Word of mouth is sometimes a good way to getting someone to dog walk for you!

I have a dog walker,usually when I have been on nights at work he takes them,has a key to our house the labs adore him he charges me 10 pounds an hour for both of them,more often then not he has them out for up to 2 hours.

Sheila

Do you know how you become a dog walker ? I used to be a special constable and have been police checked as have all my family, i have 2 dogs of my own and adore animals and was wondering after reading a few threads how you actually become a dog walker or sitter as it is something i would be interested in ?? any info grateful

I would advertise in any local shops you have, pet shop, vets etc and await the phone calls...i'm sure it'd be quite simple.

I found my first walker who had a website on the internet but my second has been by word of mouth via another walker in my village, but ive noticed adverts in a lot of the shops.

If you wanted to have insurance etc then obviously your insurance company would be able to advise on this.

Good luck.

There are specialist dog walking insurers like Clivertons.  I doubt your own insurance company could cover for something so specialised as dog walking.    You will need to pay for a police check too.    I wouldn't employ anyone to walk my dogs who didn't have these 2 requirements.