Tracey Egan

Tracey Egan

On Posted on by Tracey Egan to Uncategorised

5 tips to choosing the perfect dog walker

1) Please try to avoid van collections. All of our dog walks are on foot and this is for three main reasons, the first being security. Dognappers target dog walking vans as they know that the driver has to leave the van to collect the new dog and whilst they are this is when most of these incidents happen, with direct access to your unsupervised pet. The second reason is that you do not want your dog to spend most of the walk in a cage in the back of a van. This is stressful for your dog and can often lead to aggression or anxiety issues. The third and probably the most important reason is the lack of exercise these services offer. The dogs get little time in the park and often are walked by someone other than the friendly face you see everyday.
2) Do your referencing. I have been running precious pooch for 24 years and as such have seen some awful behaviour by other dog walking companies. A good reputable company will have many personal references and also be vet recommended in the local area. It is really worth while to take the time to call references as there are some really terrible walkers in London.
3) Make sure your dog is getting off the lead. It is really important to know your dog is getting off lead in the park. I always recommend that clients take an afternoon to be at the park to see how their dog is being treated without our knowledge. I also recommend that you ask for a few videos every now and again to check, however the easiest way to know is that after a walk your dog should be tired and sleepy.
4) Make sure your dog is being walked in a small group of four as this is the maximum allowed to remain within the licensing laws. It also insures enough attention for your dog. I always choose the right walk dependent on breed and age. You do not want your elderly dog with a group of puppies or indeed your Working Cocker with a group of Pomeranians. A dog walking company that cares will prioritise your dogs happiness over money and make sure they are with the right dogs for them.
5) It should be possible to have the same walker every day to build up a relationship with your dog. Having a different walker everyday is not good for the walker or the dogs as it doesn’t give either time to feel comfortable with each other.