Does anyone use Dog sitters/walkers?advice please:)

[mrsEr1cNorthman1wish]

Anyone use this service? Does it work for you if you work and have a dog?any advice much appreciated,thank you:)

I use daycare as I work a mixture of office and home.

What information are you after?

I pay approx £20 a day so it's pricey but worth every penny.

I use a dog walker 5 days a week at the moment (newborn baby!) usually only 3 days a week and it costs £15 for an hour’s walk for two small dogs. I’m in the South East but where I live (London commuter central) there are lots of dog walkers!

thank you both - any information, it’s something I will have to use if I decide to get a dog, which I’d love to do, but I will need someone to come in during the day. I am trying to organise and find out as much as possible before I actually commit to anything:)

We use daycare and home boarding. He prefers home but is fine there too. It’s been good for his social skills. We know he’s safe and not eating the house. He’s not at home bored and developing destructive behaviours.

We pay about £26 a day, I think.

Our main daycare is actually a dog walker and he loves it there.

Our back up daycare is much more full on with more dogs and he tends to come home completely shattered from that one but is still happy with it.

I did try a more commercialised one which was an outbuilding broken up into areas with up to 30 dogs and he absolutely hated it so we never went back.

Some daycares and dog walkers will only take dogs over a certain age so if you are getting a puppy then you need to factor that in. Also some won't take or walk uncastrated males in groups.

Some will pick up and drop off but others require you to do that.

I use a walker and it has always been clear how much battendog loves going with her and how much she loves the dogs in her charge.

I also used daycare for a little bit. The idea was for him to go once every couple of weeks or so, to get him used to it just in case I ever needed to book him in for longer. It was a small setup in a home with a large garden and battendog clearly didn't mind being there. The carer/owner had qualifications coming out her ears and answered all my questions in the 'right' way. She was always excited to see my dog. Despite all that, I never really felt 100% about leaving him there. It was nothing concrete and I definitely don't think she was doing anything really wrong. It just never quite sat right with me and I think it was because he clearly LOVED his walker but did not show the same level of excitement over the daycare. Anyway, my bookings came to an end and I just didn't renew. Maybe I was too harsh but I remain glad I listened to my instinct - which is my real point here.

The walker costs me £12.50 an hour.

Definitely worth looking up the local rates and getting recommendations, we’ve had a mix of dog walkers and doggy day care.

Our dog walkers have always come to see if they get on with the dog, check if she’s friendly, can recall reliably and our preferences on leads and if they need to top up food / water. Average cost is between £10-£15 an hour around here but what is offered can vary greatly.

Previous walker used to take dogs in groups of 4-6 to local forests, huge parks etc and let all but mine and another off lead. Dog was gone for around 3 hours but got a solid 1 hour excercise with other dogs which was great. Walker had insurances, licensed and recognised trainer and luckily kept us on his introductory rate (he loved our dog). He also took photos and sent updates most days of how she was getting on. Very sad to move out of his area.

Current walker, walks dog with one other and only locally around streets etc so never off lead. But it’s a full hour walk and they always check water too.

Definitely check the rates and the insurance of any Walker, they should get you to sign paperwork too. Oh and look up walk my dog as an option.

Beware that most wont take puppies unless you’re paying for a singular walk and it will be a much higher rate depending on area.

I've always had dog walker as I work as well. I've used two so far and they both have done boarding when needed too.

Prices may vary but honestly find someone who loves passionately dogs and not just does it as a business.

Make sure they have insurance in case your dog injured ( or causes accident if runs on to road for example) when with them.

Some have tags they put on your dog while dog with them with their mobile which is good should dog run away.

Both I met and and did a walk or two with them and dog so dog got to know them and I could see how they interacted with my dog.

Find out how many dogs they take out at a time ( councils will set limits on how many dogs people have on walks but some take all out in vans with special cages and then just keep some in there while do half on walk and then vice Versa)

They should also want to know how you call your dog/ your regular commands/ anything your dog fearful of/ anything your dog particular likes ( my dog runs to chase a squirrel) and any habits of your dog. Allergies etc and what vaccinations etc they have had.

Some don't have males if they haven't had snip as can sometimes be more dominant / aggressive when in groups of dogs.

Find out what they do if dog gets muddy ( mine cleans paws and dries with towel I leave out and bath if particularly bad but if she has to get kids from school and it's last walk in day then I sometimes get dirty dog back. I don't mind as dog had fun or I ask that she puts coat on dog when particularly wet/muddy day. Some people get irritated / mad if dog brought back muddy)

Pavement walk or park walk. On lead or off leads - make sure preference is told.

Mine kept on lead for first few weeks until confident dog knew them and they knew dog and then took to park that was enclosed fence first and on own to check recall.

If your dog doesn't like particular breeds let walker know.

Let them know if happy to have treats or not.

That's all I can think of at moment

My dog cuurently has two mornings a week and three days. Mornings are long walks and back to her. House for a bit and day is three shorter walks ( about 40-6ins) and back to dog walker house in between and plays / sleeps with other dogs .

My dogs loves her dog mates and gets so excited when she spots one in the park at the weekend

Good luck and if you have any more questions just ask xxx

Oh both had keys to my house and let themselves in to collect/ drop off dog. Sometimes I'm in sometimes I'm
Not so it's helpful x

Thank you all, lots to think about:)