Can dog be walked by someone else?

[Theukisgreatt]

Hello all

Just seen the news about over 70s potentially being self isolated as a group. My elderly neighbour has a dog (a breed that requires a lot of walking). Does anyone know if somebody else (I.e. me or husband) would be allowed to walk the dog in these circumstances? I can't find anything online. I'm not a dog person so apologise if I'm asking a stupid question.

It's not a stupid question.

I AM a dog person and I was wondering this same thing earlier this morning. I don't know the answer...

I wouldn’t know for sure but my instinct would say that’d be okay. I mean, obviously no face to face hand off and have your own lead which they wouldn’t touch at all. I guess if they had a porch, go into the porch, undo the dog from lead, go out of porch. Then they let the dog in?
The dog would need walking somehow so good on you for trying to think of a solution, it’s one less worry for your neighbour.

Definitely bring a new lead.

Thank you all, great point about a new lead. She doesn't have a porch but the dog is extremely well trained and would definitely just walk out the front door to me. I used to be very scared of dogs after a bad experience when I was little but he's (the dog!) helped me overcome that.

Or ask them if they have a spare one, if you're not a dog person, chances are you won't have leads just laying around.

Or maybe wear gloves if a new lead can't be found?

Touché about probably not having your own lead, I said that like a true mad dog lady, like everyone has leads kicking around everywhere 😂

I do think this will be doable, and it’s very kind of you to offer to do it for them.

You also need to avoid touching the dog, as the dog is in effect a very tactile handrail!

I know, strangely enough not everybody keeps spare leads and doggie bags by the front door.

I don't have a lead but I could definitely get one. Good point about touching the dog - I would be fine with this but DH might need reminding!

I was wondering this -my elderly neighbour has a dog and I was going to offer to walk it for her and get stuff from the shops but then thought sure she walks it around an empty street (very quiet where we live) so maybe she could still do that?

bring a slip lead and wipe it down before and after being on the dog, try not to touch the dog then your face, etc without handwashing, etc and you should be ok.

they might be able to have virus sitting on them via direct contact with an infected person but they cannot actively spread it at this point.

If they are self isolating solely because of their age, rather than because they have symptoms or are a close se contact of a known case, the chances are that neither they not their dog are infected.

So your role wouid be to ensure as far as you can that the dog does not become contaminated during the walk and can safely return to its household. So you need to hold a different lead that does not go back with the dog, use your own supply of poobags and treats, and put on clean gloves just before pick up and try not to touch anything other than the lead whilst you're out