What do you wish your dog walker did?

[Alarmtrees]

What is something you wish your local dog walker offered?

Bit if a strange question.. If I booked a dog walker, I'd expect them to walk the dog. If I wanted a dog groomer, I'd book a dog groomer. If I wanted my dog to have any health issues looked at. I'd employ a vet. If I wanted to go away and not take the dog, I'd book kennels or a dog sitting service.

It’s not a strange question! Different walkers offer different services.

OP - I’m a dog walker and my paired walks are my most popular service. I’ve found lots of people aren’t a fan of huge group walks and prefer a little bit of controlled socialising instead.

As the first post says, it’s a job where you just want them to do the job. There are other services/people available to cover other needs.
The only thing I’d want to specify is that if I pay for a dog walker I want them to engage with my dog and let him enjoy his time.
I have seen dog walkers locally walking through the park whilst scrolling on their phone and not paying any attention to the dog(s). Similarly, for my dog, his midday walk is more about sniffing and enjoying being outside than actually walking - he doesn’t need the exercise but the break. I don’t want him dragged along forced to walk without being able to stop and sniff.
So I suppose, I’d want them to be a dog walker but be willing to do what my dog enjoys/needs in the time I pay for.

Only walked my dog not a pack of others.

If they let them off lead then I'd want them to use trackers just in case.

My dog has allergies so I'd want specific treats.

Dry dog down and clean paws before putting them back in the house.

Be around more at half terms and summer holidays when we want family days out.

1. Pick up and drop off my dog - I moved house so was a bit further away - she was adamant that this was no problem But it’s turned into me doing all drop offs and collections (for same money)
2. walk for the time promised - Ring doorbells don’t lie!! Trouble is he loves her - I did try another walker but he refused to leave the house and she complained!

I don’t think it’s a strange question at all! I walk dogs alongside my other work – refilling food and water at home is a perfectly common request, taking in any parcels left by the door that are at risk of going walkies themselves, walking solo or in small groups were appropriate– I’m another one who doesn’t like giant pack walks – and with younger dogs reinforcing training that the owners are undertaking. When the weather is poor, I will also do things like scent work with dogs that seem keen.

My dog walker actually offers grooms, bath and brush services, home boarding, nail clipping, too etc.

That being said, it's useful because my dog knows them so she gets less stressed if they, e.g., do her nails for her, but I wouldn't say any of them are vital services I'd be looking for in a walker.

My dog walker is incredible. The most important thing is that he's reliable. He turns up on the days he says he will and my dog loves him. He also varies his routes so the dogs never get bored. He reads the dogs well so less reliable dogs (like mine) stay on a lead or long line. When my dog was clearly unexpectedly ill when they turned up (I was out) he took her straight to the vets and let me know.

I'd love it if they did occasional home boarding but he's too busy. Even a couple of weekends a year would be amazing but I recognise there's probably too many clients for this.

I'd also love it if he messaged me to let me know when he arrived and left if I'm out so that I can time my return better. He doesn't really have set times. It's more a morning or afternoon slot which is easy on home working days but trickier on office days.