I'm a dog walker - AMA!

[vanillandhoney]

That's it, really!

I left a career in retail and set up my own dog walking business before lockdown

Can you eat what you want because you burn so many cals?

As you must get through wads of the things every week, which dog poo bags do you recommend?

Did you need to buy a car or van fitted with the right equipment to transport the dogs?

Do you listen to music or podcasts when you walk?

What clothing item is your rock solid best mate on walks? Where do you keep your poo bags etc in summer? (I have a habit of shoving stuff in my bra!)

@ChickensMightFly

Ooooo is it West Cumbria? [Grin]

Yes!

@ChickensMightFly

I would be really nervous of letting someone else's dog off the lead, but wouldn't fancy hanging on to 4 dogs for hours every day. How do you go about that?

I do let dogs off the lead with written permission. So when I go to meet and greets I get owners to sign to say it's okay for me to let them off. All dogs in my care need chips and tags just in case!

It is nerve wracking but it's one of the main reasons why I only do small groups!

@Gifgif

That works out over three hours a day, so how do you manage to squeeze that into your clients' working days? Surely most people want a walk at lunchtime?

Not everyone does want lunchtime luckily! I have a lot of shift workers so for some, halfway through their working day is only 10am for example. I also have a couple of older disabled clients who aren't fussed about time so I can fit them in earlier or later 😊

@Norfolkbumpkin

As you must get through wads of the things every week, which dog poo bags do you recommend?

I use Tesco £1 ones but I'm sure there are better ones out there!

@treesandrocks

Did you need to buy a car or van fitted with the right equipment to transport the dogs?

At the moment I just use my own car but I'm looking to buy a van towards the end of next year. It's another reason why I don't do big groups! My car has crates and belts on the backseats and can fit four dogs but I often plan walks so that I can walk from the last house which minimises driving time.

@Superspecs

Do you listen to music or podcasts when you walk?

No, as I feel my attention needs fo be on the dogs.

@Topsyandtimison37

Can you eat what you want because you burn so many cals?

Unfortunately not 😭

@Mashingthecompost

What clothing item is your rock solid best mate on walks? Where do you keep your poo bags etc in summer? (I have a habit of shoving stuff in my bra!)

I wear a walking belt in summer - it has pockets for poo bags, my phone, keys abs treats and clips to attach leads.

My favourite piece of kit is a decent waterproof jacket and over trousers, wellies for the wet and mud, and good comfortable socks!

@Smallsteps88

I was about to ask about the weather. I looked outside yesterday and thought “would I really love to have to be out in that for hours every day during the winter?”

Yeah, I had that Wednesday and again today! I have decent kit so I stay dry but it can be a bit grim 🤣

Have you ever been attacked by a dog you walk?

@bearlyactive

Have you ever been attacked by a dog you walk?

Yes, I was bitten once while separating a fight between one of my on lead dogs and another dog that approached us off the lead.

What do you think of owners that occasionally ask for pictures and updates? Asking for a friend...

@CarinaMarina

What do you think of owners that occasionally ask for pictures and updates? Asking for a friend...

I send them automatically so I think it's 100% normal 🤣

I send photos via social media and leave notes if the owners aren't home to say where we went and what we got up to! I also get the best photos printed each month for owners to use themselves!

Aww that's lovely! Our walker is pretty good about pictures but doesn't send them every time. If he's dried up a bit I send subtle hint texts, like "PICTUUUUURES!!! "

I've got coronavirus so my dog can't go this week. 🙁

What were your set-up costs like, and how did you go about getting business initially? Did it take a while to build up?

Also, did you get a DBS check or anything along those lines to be a key-holder for people’s houses?

Ooh I would love good sock tips. I'm fed up of darning!

@Spudlet

What were your set-up costs like, and how did you go about getting business initially? Did it take a while to build up?

Also, did you get a DBS check or anything along those lines to be a key-holder for people’s houses?

Set up costs were minimal as I already have my own dog so had plenty of things like leads, poo bags and treats!

My main expenses were insurance and canine first aid training really. I advertised on Facebook and got all my initial clients that way but I've also linked up with the local groomer and she hands out my business cards for me!

Nowadays my clients come from word of mouth which is really nice 😊

Oh, and I'm not DBS checked but I am insured which covers me for loss of keys etc.

@Mashingthecompost

Ooh I would love good sock tips. I'm fed up of darning!

I wear Rohan socks - currently their thickest and warmest merino blend!

This is something I've wanted to do for ages as I love walking miles every day, love dogs and recently lost our 14 year-old dog (beagle!!) This is giving me hope I may be able to do it.

How did you decide which dogs to walk together? And when you want time off do you have to tell your clients in advance? What do you think about other dog walkers do you keep in contact and help each other out (eg recommend one if you're full) I'm just wondering about contacting someone I know who's a dog walker for advice but don't want her thinking I'm trying to steal clients 🙈