Evening All :)

For a variety of reasons, we have decided to employ a dog walker.  We have a potential candidate calling around tonight to meet us and the dogs.  On paper, her credentials are perfect so I'm really hoping it works out.  Most of the questions I had lined up are already covered in the information I have about her (like insurance, no. of dogs walked together etc, does she allow them off lead etc).

Is there anything else I should ask about??  Any input from dog walkers or those who employ one would be fab :)

Cheers :)

You could ask her for references from other dog owners she works for. My daughter runs a dog walking service and she has a police check aswell as insurance as she has to be trusted with the key to people's houses.
It is a good idea to give your walker your vets details in case of accidents etc
Hope this is of help!

Thanks.

She has a police check and one of the testimonials on her website is from our vet (who is also her vet) and I trust him implicitly :)

Like I say, on paper she is absolutely perfect!! :D 

Have you seen the evidence of the police check and asked the vet in person?  It would be worth asking the vet and asking her if you could see her police check form.  If she's above board she won't mind in the slightest.

Good luck, it sounds like you've done your homework.

Thankyou Jacky.  I shall ask to see evidence of the police check and I'll have a chat to my vet as well :)

Ours came recommended by the vet who also use her, but I think it's important to go by 'gut instinct' when you meet and see how she is with the dogs and how they respond to her too :)
Good luck!

I used a dog walker - found her through googling for dog walker and my town.  She lived just a mile or so away.  I liked what I read on her website.  She got back to me quickly and then came round to meet the dogs and us.  It was for an individual walk for one of our dogs and when she came in we really had just more of a chat and it very soon became apparent she had excellent experience - many years working with dogs in various areas and knew one or two people I was familiar with and had worked with the breeder my GSD lady had used for a stud dog sometimes.  I very much go on the right things being said,in the right way, whether the person reacts well (and properly) with my dogs and to me, and is also professional in the way they run their business.

my reason for picking the one I went with was very unscientific - I got a good vibe from her and missy adored her.  She got on with the other dogs so bingo she was the one. 4 years later and I'm so glad I use her as she is great and I couldn't fault her at all.

I'd want to know what her training methods/beliefs are, as if they are not the same it could be very confusing for your dog. How would she react/cope if the dog wasn't doing as she wanted, and also how would she cope if something went wrong or there was an emergency?

I don't employ a dog walker but if I did, this is what I'd be asking :)

Hi

Would she be walking him on his own or others? Were she would take them?

I see a local dog walker who collects a couple of dogs and puts them in the van and takes them else were to walk them would you be happy with this. I have seen her to collecting one dog and using the walk to collect the next dog, take the first one home and that is the walk for the second dog who then is walked home. She does go through the field to do it but it always seems a bit off to me.

When I did use a dog walker she came to see me and meet the dogs. It was only the GSD at the time i needed walking. She showed me her insurance documents and police checks and she was a member of a organisation but cant remember which. She asked how he was with other dogs and were he liked to walk. She then asked if we could take him out and and show her were we normally went and to see if she could handle him ok. All the time on the walk she asked questions about him. She spoke to him and played with him. It is easy to see if someone is a natural or not she was and he loved her. Broke my heart when he went out for his first walk with her happily and never looked back at his mum.

I think going with your gut instinc to, is this someone you want coming into your house while you are not there and does the dog like her.

Wendy

I was going to suggest that she accompanies you on a walk with your dogs so you can get a feel for how she relates to them when doing the job you are considering employing her for.

Again gut instinct would play a big part in my decision but would also like to see her in action :)

Thanks everyone :)

We had a very long chat last night and we have arranged initial walks with either me or OH present to give the dogs a chance to get used to her and for us to see how she handles them.  She has many years of experience with dogs (particularly large breeds), has competed in obedience & agility and assists at a local training club which I know has a good reputation.  I know quite a few people that she knows who are involved with dogs :)  All her paperwork (registration, police check etc) seems to be in order and I generally have a good feeling about her :)  She asked lots of questions and took notes about our dogs, training methods, commands, likes, dislikes, general foibles etc (you could fill a book with Shay's peculiarities alone :rolleyes:). We'll see how it goes :)