Hi all,

In the coming months, circumstances are changing i.e. moving to new area
and so we may need to employ a dog walker temporarily.
Does anyone know of web sites, agencies etc. as I think its
an awful lot of trust to allow someone in your home every day
nevermind letting your dog go off with a stranger.

Does anyone have any experiences or advice?

Thanks, Louise

hmm I would have suggested asking a neighbour if it was only temporary but I guess if you're moving to a new area you wont really know them any better than a professional

We picked up a card in our vets and had a meeting with the company first, I got on great with the woman straight away
I suppose you'll just have to go on instinct!!

We found our dog walker/sitter through the local vets - having tried just about everywhere else we could think of.

She has been fantastic as she usually walks dogs and we just wanted her to come in and sit with ours for an hour or so on occasion (7 dogs being far too many to take out and walk in one go). she also looks after cats, birds and small animals when people are on holiday.

she has been cleared by the police and is a member of a dog walkers association (can't remember the name sorry). When we initially phoned she came round to meet us and the dogs and to fill out numerous forms about the dogs, the house, contact numbers etc.

I hope you find someone suitable

Kate

I also found my dog walker through my local vet. Many will advertise on the notice boards there. She tailored the lunchtime walks to the dogs needs (very short walks when Stan was a pup) and longer ones now he's fully grown. She's very reasonably priced, and it saves falling out with family, neighbours and friends when they start to feel put upon. You'll know they're trustworthy when they insist on coming around and asking you loads of questions and making a note of everything. Mine even brought an old sock round (poooh!) so the dogs would not feel threatened when she came back to walk them. I live in quite a small town, so lots of neighbours knew the lady and where she lived and could reassure me she was 100% trustworthy. You could always ask them to provide references from other customers.

Hi Louise
Whereabouts are you moving to?
x

How about ads in pet shop/pet superstores?

Hi Louise, Iam in a similar situation, Ilive in stockport, think i will take the advice of some of the suggestions & try the vets, its such a worry isnt it getting someone you can trust. Good Luck Pauline