Ddog kicked out of dog walkers group walk. Advice please?

[TooOldForThisWhoCares]

And please, I really don't want a kicking over this. Dog is 13months a very excitable rescue we've had since she was 5 months. Been with well-regarded dog walker since August on a group walk with 5 other dogs. I was aware there were some issues with her being over excited in play (NO aggression from ddog) but it seems that this "negative" pattern has set in with other dogs turning on her and the dog walker no longer wants to walk her. Entirely her choice and I understand etc. I had already consulted a trainer (recommended by the walker) and given her the strategies recommended by the trainer. Ddog has improved a lot with us on walks re;other dogs and generally can be distracted past them or has a polite brief gambol about. She is fast and giddy and i think she irritates other dogs. Individual waljs are like gold dust around here and 20 quid an hour. I work 3 days a week. I don't want to regime her, we've got her now and want to make it work. There is another dog walker prepared to trial her for 2 weeks but I need a back up plan if it doesn't work. Does anyone have experience/idea I'm feeling pretty despondent. Thanks.

[TooOldForThisWhoCares]

Regime=rehome

[Wolfiefan]

The dog walker walks 6 dogs?! No wonder they can’t manage an excitable rescue as part of that. I bet they’re not covered on insurance.
How big is your garden? Could you walk before and after lunch and pay for a home visit with some games in the garden? Any dog walking friends who could help out occasionally?

[cowfacemonkey]

I don't think my ddog would do well in a group walk for exactly the same reasons (fast, giddy and irritating)! I really think 1:1 walks are probably the only way forward for now. Mine is 18 months and I'm hoping he will calm down soon! He's lovely but full on when it comes to playtime.

[cowfacemonkey]

I don't know any reputable dog walkers that take that many dogs either tbh. The dynamics must be impossible to control.

[Squickety]

Have you tried dogbuddy.com? We found daycare on there for our reactive rescue dog and it's worked out really well. I've just had a quick look and in my area there are people offering walks for £10ish.

[SavoyCabbage]

I thought they were on,y a.lowed to walk four at a time.

I'd just look for another walker. There are loads where I am.

[TooOldForThisWhoCares]

Around here 6 is the norm allowed by the local council.

[cowfacemonkey]

Mine just has a 30 minute walk with the dog walker and I walk before and after work (although I'm only gone 5 hours max a couple of days a week).

[twoheaped]

Agree with pp's, far too many dogs.
Find a dog walker who is in it for the love of the dogs and not the money. Hopefully, they will then be more clued up.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

You need a 1 to 1 dog walker.

[TooOldForThisWhoCares]

My workplace is not far but I only get a 20 min break and that woyld be taken up by the drive so it would literally be letting her out for 5 mins and leaving again.

[BiteyShark]

You can walk up to 6 dogs around here as well but most do 4.

[TooOldForThisWhoCares]

Is 20 per hour standard for individual walks!?

[BiteyShark]

The thing is it doesn't matter whether there are 3 or 5 other dogs if they aren't matched in play etc.

Could you manage to afford the individual walks for now whilst you work on the training strategies that you have been given?

[christmasfoof]

I pay £12 per hour, with 10% discount for using the walker 5 days a week and paying monthly in advance.

East Midlands - May be more pricey further south!

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

I pay £10 an hour. (South east)

[BiteyShark]

I have seen prices ranging from £15 to £25 for solo walks where I am. The issue will be when the dog can get walked because most people want lunch time so group walks will be the most lucrative for the dog walkers business so you may be looking at mornings or afternoons.

[cowfacemonkey]

I pay £10 for a 1:1 30 minute walk. I actually think that's reasonable when you factor in that they have to travel between locations unpaid. It's not like they can work 8 hours straight and get paid for all of those hours. I think my dog walker works 7am to 7pm in order to work enough paid hours each day.

[TooOldForThisWhoCares]

Gut is telling me individual walks will be the way forward. Current walker has given a months notice then other group walker will trial for 2 weeks giving me 6 weeks to find someone hopefully. I have a feeling this will continue to be an issue in any groups. Thanks all.

[CandyMelts]

Our rescue got kicked out of daycare so I feel your pain. We have someone come and do 2 visits a day now for £15, he gets a short walk each time but it's more the company I like. Means you avoid the busy midday slot that everyone wants.
I'm hindsight daycare was more for what we felt he'd like than what was best for him.

Literally contact everyone near
by and see whats available, you might be able to combine something with you popping home at lunch to let him out, leave a kong and have a cuddle to break the day up.

[pandechocolate]

1 on 1 walks, or go with a walker that will 'buddy up' dogs appropriately. Some walkers will walk dogs that want to play with dogs that like to be left well alone. Bad practice by the walkers, IMO.

[CollyWombles]

Sorry OP all I could think of when I read your post was marley in the film where he is kicked out from obedience class! Hehe!

Anyways, bless her, she isn't aggressive just full on and I agree, I think walking six dogs at a time is ridiculous! I have a German shep/black lab that is 10 months old and she would be way more interested in the other dogs than walking. I would try to find a 1 on 1 dog walker.

[Wolfiefan]

We had to retake puppy classes.

[adaline]

Mine wouldn't cope on group walks either - far too excitable and needs to stop every 5 seconds to sniff and pee 😂

[TooOldForThisWhoCares]

You're all making me feel much better - thank you! It's like having the "naughty child" at school! I was coming home to notes from the walker almost every day about her "OTT behaviour" which was making me feel like shit. Actually the walker is an ex-teacher so it might explain why I felt I needed to sit in the corner with a dunce cap on.