We have a few problems with dog walkers in our local woods, particularly with two who often have between 15 and 20 dogs each.  This morning though I had a silly 'tiff' with one of the 'better' ones who has between 9 and 12 dogs with three or four of these on the lead.  I was playing with Ella and her ball (expensive rope one!) when the dog-walker came round the corner and one of the dogs pinched Ella's ball.  Ella also steals other dogs balls and I apologise and try to get the ball back (usually can these days!) or swap it for one of mine so I wouldn't have any problem with a dog or owner that did the same even if we couldn't get the ball back. 

This dog-walker just said quite rudely "I can't be responsible for getting the ball back", no sorry or oh dear or even humour, and I asked why not, was the dog not with her.  She said it was but she never took balls out with her.  I said perhaps it was because she had so many dogs and couldn't control them(yes shouldn't have done I know).  She said of course it wasn't, she wouldn't be able to get the ball back from this dog anyway even if it was on its own.  She then did absolutely nothing to help (although she did have her hands full holding four of the dogs). It didn't actually take much to get the ball (not with a pocket of liver anyway) and I'm sure I am overreacting but it just sounded to me like no-one else should be able to do anything with their dogs while she was around.  Our woods seem to have been taken over by packs of uncontrolled dogs.  I had to return one of her dogs to her the other day when it followed me almost home - she hadn't noticed it was missing! To cap it all we then walked into one of the worst walkers with his enormous pack of large dogs - very intimidating.

Anyway sorry rant over, have a good day everyone.

Hi Treacle,

Sounds familiar to me.  There are several dog walkers in my area and most of the dogs with them are not on leads.  One of them in particular spends most of the time chatting with friends she meets up with and cannot possibly be paying attention to her dogs. 

I used to walk in my woods every day, but have now mostly given it up.  There is so much poop on the paths that I am sick of having to look down with each step - and still having to scrape the poop out of my shoes.  It's not just the dog walkers that are responsible, of course, but they are the biggest "contributors" and could care less if one of their pack takes a giant poop right in the middle of the path.  

There are signs for dogwalkers stuck up on the trees near the car park - the problem is only going to get worse I'm afraid.  Some of them see it purely as a job and anyone else a nuisance.  I would be really annoyed too - and you would have had every right to tell the dog walker off.

Stacey

I was told once that it is illegal to be out with more than a certain number of dogs on your own. Like there is a ratio of 1:6 or something. I could well be wrong, it's only something I heard on the grapevine. Maybe you could report this woman to the dog warden if she is that out of control. It is so annoying when people behave like that, it gives the rest of us a bad name.

I don't even allow my dogs to approach other dogs when out, just in case there is a problem. That way, if a fight breaks out or one of theirs gets bitten, it's their fault for allowing their dogs to approach mine. It's amazing how many let their dogs run up unsupervised. I was on the beach last week when a Poodle ran down from the cliff top. His owner was still up on the cliff and was watching, but would have been powerless if anything had happened, which thankfully it didn't. I think maybe it is more a case of, they know the dog won't come back, so why bother calling it? If it were mine, it wouldn't be off lead! Simple as...........

Claire

I am a petcarer/dog walker but I am insured and Registered with NARP  Registered Association of Registered Petsitters.

We are not allowed to walk more than four dogs otherwise it invalidates the insurance.

Most of my dogs I walk have to be taken out singularly, the most I feel happy walking together and being in control (and being able to stop and pick up poop, etc) is two. 

There are a couple I can let of lead but I can guarantee that when I do have them off lead I seem to run into other dogs that have owners that dont care what their dogs do.

The dogs in my care are my 1st priority and I try to be thoughtful and sensible and I would not want them being a pain to other walkers/owners.

I do my job because I like being able to care for my dogs and making sure they are happy safe and exercised.

Other walkers that have big packs of dogs give us dedicated professional caring walkers a bad image

I came across a dog walker today who had 10+ dogs with her - all off the lead. They all came charging at my two (who were on the lead) and the walker had no control over them what so ever! Luckily my two weren't overly bothered but Mals can take a dislike to other dogs, especially the males - I have no idea how she would have managed to get hold of hers if anything was to happen :( I went out slightly later today, so I guess i'll just have to leave earlier in future in the hope of avoiding them :(

I never evn knew there was such a thing as a professional dog walker.... why would anywant want one? Surely the whole pleasure is in the walking etc of your OWN dog
Anyway, back to the question in issue, i think you under reacted, i would have been livid!! Is there not somesort of enviromental or local council issue involved? Presumably its a public place like council owned or something...are there byelaws?

  There are a few pro dog walkers in our area now, as above registered, you can usually get their contact details from the vets. I think they do a great job. There are alot of elderly folk who don't have to give up their pets, hospitalized people who don't have to worry and people who can't afford not to work fulltime don't have to feel the guilt of leaving their dog or the emptiness of not having a pet. They'll even live in and house sit/pet sit whilst you're away meaning the dog isn't put into kennels. I think it's a wonderful idea. We even have a doggy creche now and it's fantastic!
I love walking my crew and I haven't had to call on a professional walker, but I wouldn't hesitate if the need arose.

I think more than 4 dogs is way to excessive...isn't there a law about having a certain amount of dogs off the lead being classed as a pack (it rings bells)

isn't there a law about having a certain amount of dogs off the lead being classed as a pack (it rings bells

Fortunately there ISN'T a law against that (yet!).

2 dogs is a pack!

I think more than 4 dogs is way to excessive...  I think your right spook, lets ban 'em....

Geoff :rolleyes:

p.s. I've got seven....

Does it matter how many dogs people have/walk? As long as they're all kept under control, amount shouldn't be an issue.

Pray tell where I said ban 'em?  WAKE UP! :rolleyes: 

I always think it's selfish of owners to chuck balls around when there are other dogs about who might not be able to resist the temptation of running over and trying to pinch it.  It can be a catalyst for a fight.  I know everyone is entitled to do their own thing whenever but it's not really much to ask to just wait a bit for the other dogs to move on before you start throwing it again.

Depends on how much control you've got Lara. Both my dogs will drop into a down on command even if I have thrown a ball. If they didn't they wouldn't be off lead. As pups, they don't go off lead until they do it. I could say other people whose dogs run after my dogs ball are being selfish for not putting in as much training as I have. At the end of the day, the dogs you take out are your responsiblity to control, it's not up to everyone else to think for you too and say, I'll stop playing with my dog in case they can't control theirs.

Lara if you cannot control your dogs in the presence of other distractions that is your responsibility; other dog walkers are not responsible for controlling your dogs behaviour, you are!

Like I said everyone is entitled to do their own thing but that's one of my pet hates.  It takes all sorts to make a world. :)

I know what you mean Lara. There's nothing worse when you're trying to do some basic training or trying to rectify behavioural problems than someone chucking a ball. It happened to me at the beach. I'm trying to work with a rescue dog, the entire beach is empty and some guy decides to shadow us chucking a ball for his dog. The dog I was with was obviously dying to catch the ball, lunging, choking herself ...did the guy go away...noooo!

It is absolutely shocking that other people can use a public beach and exercise and play with their dogs whilst you are working and training your dog! How inconsiderate and rude of that person who was no doubt deliberately following you to ruin your day

:D :D

I know it sounds barmy but Tohme the beach is huge and totally deserted.....not even SAS defensive running could shake him! :D

Maybe I should get a t-shirt made up copying a current thread title....'Bitch difficult to mate'....

:D :D :D

I would have done the same I think...

However I myself will not walk more then 3 dogs of my own at one time (but then their are cetain ones I won't take in a 3!) When walking offlead I will have no-more then 2 when I'm on my own, thats just for my safty and theres....how you can walk more then 5 I will never know!

And if any dog stole one of my dogs toys and the owner couldn't care I would not be pleased!  I'd demand the toy back or the money for a new one!

I would have reacted in exactly the same way.  Our local dog walker/boarder takes 10+ dogs to the park off lead and lets them run around with minimal supervision.  To add insult to injury, her own 2 Bichons are currently suffering from kennel cough but she continues to allow them to mix with the dogs she's supposed to be caring for and every other dog in the park.  It's got so bad that all the owners in the park are debating what to do.  We all have to time our walks to avoid her, the situation is completely ridiculous.

The dog walker claims to be NARP registered although I find this hard to believe.  She also irritates everyone by handing out her husband's business cards; apparently he is a behaviour expert although her dogs are registered at a branch of the practice I work in (not my branch) and they both have "CAUTION - MUZZLE REQUIRED" all over their files - not a brilliant advert.

IMO, nobody can manage this many dogs.  I have a hard enough time watching Cashie, my whippet and he's our only dog.  Re toys: I can't preach as Cashie pinches things all the time but I'd certainly retrieve them and return them to their rightful owner.  Actually all the dogs we see regularly are thieves, so the toys are in constant rotation and we generally get things back eventually, sort of a toy timeshare!

It's not that hard to be NARP registered...

I used to belong to them and all you have to do to become a "professional" pet-sitter is to send them a cheque ;)

They are an organisation, that *does* provide insurance, but that's about it :) Their main interest is making money, and not pets at all.

I would advise anyone not to touch them with a bargepole ;);)

ref NARP

NARP as the poster says is not over difficult to join.

NARP do take up references and they do ask that you are animal minded and have done hands on experience with pets and know what you are doing and you have a induction course with a registered petsitter/walker to familiarise youself

However "even for a money grabbing operation that they may be" they still have a code of conduct and terms and conditions that we must follow.

Ie no more than 4 dogs to be walked at one time with owners consent.

Home Boarding no more than one dog at any time, only exception being 3 dogs from the same family.

With NARP you get full public liability and animal insurance so you and the pets are covered.

Unfortunately when you have so called NARP walkers taking 4+ dogs out they are violating their own insurance, so if any of the dogs in their care did cause an accident there is no comeback or protection and the NARP guidelines will have been breached. 

These walkers give the rest of trying to provide a decent service  a bad name.

Th Original poster who ran into a pack being walked by a could not care less walker was well entitled to feel intimidated and upset.  I would feel the same if I was out with my dog and I ran into such a group.

I totally agree.

Walking into a pack of loose dogs, with my three on leads would be my worst nightmare.

I own three malamutes, the eldest boy being a typical mal and not being a fan of some other dogs.

It isn't fair on the people trying to do things properly.

When I used to pet-sit, I would take out two dogs only at one time. That way I knew for sure that I would be able to keep them under control. And I never let them off either as I would not have been able to forgive myself if something happened to a clients' dog while under my responsibility.

While caring for someone else's pets, I do not see the problem with using flexi-leads instead of letting dogs that you are not totally used to, run riot and cause problems for other people's dogs. :(

The problem with flexi leads, as I found to my cost, is that they can give your back a nasty jolt if the dog suddenly runs to the end of the lead. Two years later I am still suffering & I only use flexi leads for small dogs when I am walking my clients dogs.
DaisyM

I think the biggest danger with a flexi is when exercising more than one dog - I almost had a VERY nasty experience when walking on of my own dogs on a flexi while my other dog was loose.   The one on the flexi jumped round the loose dog as it returned to me and the cord was pulled tightly round the loose dog's neck   Thank God help was close on hand because the dog (and me) panicked big time and I dread to think what the outcome would be if someone else hadn't been dogwalking at the same time :(    I never use a flexi now unless we're away at a dog show or whatever and exercising ONE dog in strange surroundings where they are perhaps not safely able to run free.

It's such a shame that some paid dog-walkers give others in the service such a bad name  -  we have quite a few near us and they usually have up to four but never more than that and they always pick up after their charges and show genuine consideration for other users of common land  :)

Some people who work full time, are temporarily disabled or hospitalised etc really need this service.

Regards, Teri 

Our local council have a by-law that say's you are not allowed to walk more then six dog's at a time and that only two can be of the lead at the same time, unfoutnatly it is very hard to actully police this if somebody takes no notice of it. Viv

I suppose down here in Devon, professional dogs walkers are only just starting to be into being.  There is one I know of and I see him out quite often with normally 2-3 dogs, saying that none of those are under control.  His own dog followed us right down to our car before he even noticed.

As to the ball stealing, I have collies who are obsessed by balls and yes the youngest will try to steal other dog's balls but upon me saying leave, it is immediately dropped or not touched at all.  If he did get away with a ball I wouldnt hesitate to get it off him.  I do worry when another dog has nicked our ball and the owner says go ahead take it off him he wont mind.  Personally I dont want to be taking a ball away from a dog I dont know!

Claire

May I remind you all that the laws of libel apply to the internet.

Sorry not to have come back to this post before now having started it, I have a bad back and can't always sit up for long!!

Anyway, just a couple of things - the point about dogs being 'under control' is very valid.  We do occasionally meet people (not dog-walkers generally) who have more than four dogs who are well trained and obedient, I don't have a problem with this, it was this dog walkers rudeness and arrogance which was most annoying - and her lack of any control.

Lara, I completely agree with your point about throwing the ball.  If another dog is approaching I put the ball in my pocket to avoid any confrontation for one thing.  When Ella was a puppy a woman with four greyhounds thought it would be a good idea to throw a ball for her, the greyhounds chased her and tried to rip her apart and if my partner hadn't thrown himself on top of her (getting badly bitten in the process) they'd probably have succeeded so I am actually more careful than most in that respect.  The dogs in question came flying round a corner with the walker nowhere in sight so I didn't have time to get the ball.  Ella is also quite capable of pinching toys and I have taken addresses before to return them when she was younger.  I would certainly at the least apologise and do my very best to get the toy back.

I think dog walkers can be very useful to people who cannot always excercise their dogs as much as they would like.  We have met dogs we already know being walked by walkers who are definitely usually walked by their owners so there may well be special circumstances although I have to agree that my biggest pleasure is walking my dog!  The best walker in our wood has told me that she only takes four at a time maximum as that is all she can control - I didn't know she was a professional walker until we got talking.  Unfortunately we have three others that all take upwards of 10 dogs - one nearer twenty who has so little control that he sometimes leaves dogs behind while he returns the others and comes back later to find them.  In my opinion this is unnacceptable but what do you do apart from try to avoid them - I don't believe there is any law around here and, as someone said, how do you police it?

Anyway I'm ranting again!!  Just off to listen to second half of Palace v Charlton - just missed a penalty - again, typical :)
Best wishes
Alex