Free dog walking?

[Chewysmum]

I've always had dogs, at the moment my dog is spending a few nights per week at my son's father's house as he was being "hounded" by my toddler. I miss him like crazy and would love to spend time with other dogs, at the same time maybe helping a dog and owner who are struggling. My question is, would it be OK to offer free dog walking services on a very limited basis in my local area. I've walked dogs for neighbors in the past, and helped with training and socialisation so I know what I'm doing. And I would only take one dog at a time too, not like paid walkers.
I know many people struggle with the cost of dog walkers and due to health or work commitments can't walk their dog often so I'd like to help, both the dog and owners. What do you think?

Wouldn’t you need to take your toddler along, though? That would complicate things!

How about volunteering for the Cinnamon Trust: cinnamon.org.uk/

What about Borrow My Doggy?

Why don't you walk your own dog?

I’m not sure I understand... you have a dog but because of problems with your toddler he’s not staying with you all the time and during that time you want to walk other dogs? But you have your toddler at that time who has meant you can’t have your own dog so why would you want someone else’s dog with them?

I’d worry about the insurance side of things doing adhoc free dog walking for strangers. What happens if a dog gets hurt or hurts someone else one your watch?

I’d do as a PP says and look at volunteering for a charity like the Cinnamon Trust.

TheHodgeoftheHedge
My toddler wasn't being rough with my dog or anything, just annoying him while in the house, he's great when outside, the only problem was that my dog is older and was getting overwhelmed. For this reason, he's staying at the baby's dads 4 days a week. I can't walk him while he's there, or spend time with him as I don't drive and it's too far. Dad drops him off on Friday til Mon at the moment, to see how things progress. It's absolutely not the case that the dog CAN'T be here, I just found that he's stressed at times and wanted him to be happy, he adores his dad. My son has absolutely never been the slightest bit rough with any dog, he's been around dogs since birth. And anyway, he'll be starting nursery in the mornings soon, this is when I was thinking of doing it. I've already signed up for dog walking with both local rescues several times but they just take your details and never call.

I walked 2 dogs for a wheelchair bound lady. 5 years till they both died she was very happy as were the dogs . Never thought about insurance

I do borrow my doggy, as a premium member I get insurance (owner needs to be premium too). We offer the owners a few hours to themselves on the weekend and in exchange get a few hours of dog company. We love it as we're unable to have our own at the moment. It works really well. We started with walking with the owners a few times so they could trust us and now go out on our own with the dogs. We have them at our house too if the owners fancy a day trip and have offered overnight but haven't done one yet. Lots of people looking for week day walking so you'll be in great demand if you can do that.

we run a professional dog walking service and unless you have a relative or friend with a dog that needs walking i would be very careful. we have full insurance and DRB check as you can never be too careful.

LoopyLoo2019
I did sign up to Borrow my Doggy but there absolutely no premium members anywhere near me, probably because it's an extremely deprived area and people just can't justify the expense just on the off chance that someone may help them out now and again. Because of this there was no point in me going premium either, I was a little bit deflated tbh