How the hell do you find a dog walker?

[isthismummy]

Looking for a dog walker two days a week. I've emailed four companies in my local area, but not a single one has gotten back to me!

Are they that in demand or have I just contacted people with terrible customer service skills? I've thought about Dogs Buddy, but really worried about letting a random into my home and near my pup!

Where do you find your walkers? Is there some magic trick to it that I am unaware of?

[BiteyShark]

I had to email lots as they were either full or didn't reply. Might be worth phoning rather than emailing so the ones that didn't reply just say you are phoning to follow up on the email you sent.

[scurryfunge]

Can you ask on a local Facebook group for recommendations?

[BiteyShark]

Oh forgot to say that dog walkers tend to know each other so if you can get hold of one and they are full they can usually recommend someone else to try.

[SavageCabbage]

I think it’s one of those jobs that people start a business and then it doesn’t work out leaving loads of dormant websites and Facebook pages.

I found ours on my local ‘spotted’ Facebook page.

I also asked around and looked on the notice board at the vets.

[CMOTDibbler]

Ask other people with dogs, and post on a local FB notice boards. I got my dog/house sitter by personal recommendation, and she doesn't advertise anywhere about either house sitting or dog walking (and now has 3 family members working for her she's so busy)

[Ellapaella]

We have hundreds up here in the North East. I chose mine by asking on a local FB site for recommendations.

[sleepingdogslying]

I found my dog walker through a recommendation from our local independent pet shop. I’ve also seen adverts at the vets

[3girlsunder3]

I have the opposite dilemma - how on earth do you set up as a dog walker/boarder???
Feel your paid though op, I've really struggled to find a good dog boarder. Hope you find someone good.

[rightsaidfrederickII]

If you have a day off, go walking on your local prime dog walking spot and you will see dog walkers- always the ones with a collection of dogs of varying breeds. Have a chat to them - they might have space, and as they all seem to know each other, might know someone with space. It also allows you to see if your dog gets on with theirs and how they manage the pack.

[songbird123]

You could try and ask at a local groomers.

[Whitney168]

If you have a day off, go walking on your local prime dog walking spot and you will see dog walkers- always the ones with a collection of dogs of varying breeds

Personally, anyone who is instantly recognisable as a dog walker due to the number and variety of dogs is someone I would avoid like the plague.

Such a responsible job, and so many idiots doing it.

(Saw one such, although an extreme case this week. Admittedly three people, but with a mixed pack of about 20 dogs. This is not cute and good fun for your dog, this is an accident waiting to happen!)

[JigglyTuff]

My dog walker only takes my dog out. If she was going to take him with a million other dogs, she wouldn't be my dog walker!

Do you have a local facebook page that you can ask for recommendations on? Or even a local facebook animal lovers page? That's where I found my fabulous walker :)

[whiteroseredrose]

I asked fellow dog walkers from the field where I walked DDog when I was a SAHM.

[DerelictWreck]

I'm really surprised people don't like their dogs being walked with others? We love that ours gets to socialise and burn off more energy chasing everyone around - pretty sure he loves it too!

[BiteyShark]

DerelictWreck I think it depends on the dog. I don't mind that mine is walked with other dogs as it is usually only a couple of others which he knows. However, I have declined to walk myself with other groups when I can see that my dog is uncomfortable with the group.

[JigglyTuff]

It definitely depends on the dog!

[Whitney168]

It doesn't just depend on your dog though, or indeed any of the other dogs in the group if the dog walker in question does have the skills to mix the right dogs.

Any pack of multiple dogs (and I even see this with my three) is more intimidating to other dogs. Unless they are walking them on private secure land, they are going to meet other dogs that they do not know the temperament of. I have no wish to gamble on whether my dog would be the one they tried to save first if all hell broke out, or if something else piled in and all the walked dogs scrambled.

[mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork]

I've had success by asking at the vets (they weren't advertised in there so I just asked the girls behind the counter). I've done this twice in two different areas I lived in and always got a recommendation. The only time I tried someone who advertised on the net, she was AWFUL and our arrangement did not last long! (Dog didn't like her either). My last dog had to be walked as the only dog as she was a grumpy old girl and was SLOW (old and creaky). The first dogwalker I asked in my current area only did groups but she instantly gave me the number of one who would walk single dogs and that one now still walks my dog for me, though it is the original dog's successor. She is an absolute GEM. Current dog can be walked with other dogs but the dogwalker is so wonderful I'm sticking with her.

[mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork]

Re: group dog walking - I think that does depend on the dog but also, in part, depends on the dogwalker. I live near a large area of forest and one of the dogwalkers turns up in huge transit van, unloads 10 dogs! (I kid you not) and lets them run all over the grass area - he doesn't have a huge amount of control over them. Even other dogwalkers are critical. Most others are OK and walk groups of 4-6. One man is like the Dog Whisperer - he has 5 or 6 dogs (sometimes less), who all walk peacefully with him and LOVE him. Some are off lead and some are on lead and there is a big Zen atmosphere. Delighted to say, JoyfulDog has passed her trials with him (despite weeing on his bedroom carpet on her day trial) and he has agreed to have her to board for my upcoming holiday abroad. JoyfulDog has absorbed the atmosphere of him and his house (and his regular guests) and wants to go and visit him every time we go out for a walk.

[wheelwarrior]

I found mine through word of mouth she also homeboards and is a groomere and qualified dog trainer

She has faclites if dog needs be kept seperate also huge garden for running round off lead as well it also can be seperated of if needed
Walking wise depends on dogs needs some walked on their own some in small groups some on lead some off lead it is all dog led and where walk varies as well

I seen some dog walkers doing the same walk time aftsr time and same place dogs walk with their owner .(Though aware some may not mind but i tend walk differrnt places in week rather than all in one place

[wheelwarrior]

If you amywhere near Stansted airport can reccomemd

[isthismummy]

Thankyou for all the replies

I've had a look for Facebook groups. I can't see many, but I've put a post on my dog training group asking for recommendations.

I'll also ask at the vets when I call in for flea treatments this week.

Interesting what you say regarding dog walkers and groups. I do see a man in one of my local parks and he never has less than six dogs with him! I'd be very concerned at that. Ddog is a Shih Tzu, so she's only small and I worry about her getting hurt. I'd like her walked with some other dogs though as she's very sociable. Not sure how I'd feel about her going off lead though. She had very good recall for me, but I still worry.

It's not urgent at the minute as I can still pop back on days I'm out longer to make sure she's OK. I just know she'd be happier with a long walk as well without having to wait until later in day.

Thank you all again

[isthismummy]

I'm in South East London wheelwarrior If anyone has any SE14 recommendations I'd love to hear them.

[stayathomegardener]

I've just started dog walking for a dog walker to keep DD's holiday job open.
I wouldn't trust my dogs to this company.
Mainly because they use untrained students with a huge range of responsibility.
Something to ask about.