What should I be asking a potential new dog walker?

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

I’m looking for someone to be able to come in and walk the dog on the odd day that I can’t do it. There’s a very good lady locally but she doesn’t come quite as far as my village but she has recommended a new lady who is just starting up.

The new lady has emailed me, she seems very keen so I’ve emailed back to arrange a date to meet and that I’d like to see evidence of insurance, experience of dogs in obedience and behaviour. What else should I be looking for?

[bluetongue]

It always bothers me when someone is asking a Mumsnet for ways to make some extra money and dog waling is suggested even if the person has no experience or has never owned a dog.

Well done OP for asking the right questions.

[BiteyShark]

The thing is that this seems no better 'at the moment' than something like borrowmydoggy which lots of people seem to like and suggest.

The first aid should have been done as I have got a certificate in that and I don't have a dog walking business so it's pretty easy and relatively cheap to get one and is bloody useful to anyone owning or looking after dogs.

The other stuff depends on what you are after as everyone has to start somewhere and just because they haven't worked in that field doesn't make them any worse than someone who has which is why it's good to meet and talk/walk with them first. But anyway it sounds like you want other things in a walker so I would look elsewhere.

The conditions about vet fees etc I have seen with other dog walkers so that isn't actually that unusual.

[adaline]

Sorry OP but I would steer well clear.

She sounds like she's just trying to make some extra money and has absolutely no idea what professional dog-walking actually involves.

[Winterdaysarehere]

At least she could clean ddog's teeth!!
Save you £££££!!
CRB check also...
Would give her a miss tbh though given your update..

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

It’s a shame, I’m all for supporting a new enterprise but I just wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving my big strong excitable Labrador in the hands of someone so completely inexperienced.

[WendyMoiraAngelaDarling]

Ok so she’s come back to me and basically has no experience of dogs whatsoever other than being involved with the family pet and walking out with the other dog walker lady sometimes. Apparently she was a dental nurse

Used to be a dog walker. I'd give this one a miss. That said I didn't have masses of experience when I started but had had dogs all my life and have always been instinctive in my dealings with them. I had trained multiple puppies of my own and brought them on into well trained adults so I knew I would cope and felt confident. I was employed through an agency first of all and they handled all insurance, CRB checks etc. I knew some great walkers who really made sure owners got their money's worth and terrible ones who basically carted four dogs to the nearest dog enclosure and then sat there on their phones while the dogs ran riot. One thing I would say is your dog will love pretty much anyone who comes and takes them out and makes a fuss of them in front of you, they could be the laziest dog walker in the world and your dog will still love them so don't go by happy greetings from your dog as evidence of how great the dog walker is. My clients would tell me how calm, relaxed and happy to snooze the rest of the day away their dogs were after a walk with me because I had worn them out. I think that's more evidence of a decent walk.

[Winterdaysarehere]

I left my ddogs in the care of a well recommended and highly rated kennels.
Strict instructions not to let my husky off lead - obvious reasons if you know your ddog stuff - as they claimed they did.
Came back to the info that they had indeed allowed her to be off lead in their field. 4 foot fence then the A19.

Never left ddogs there agaim and most def do repeat my experience... Didn't leave a bad review as was concerned they knew my address...

[Winterdaysarehere]

Knowledge and expertise isn't everything ime...

[Hepsibar]

DBS (criminal background) check
Dog Insurance
NARPS UK registration
Recommendations from other walkers
Where are they going to be walked?
How much prep time getting to know you and your dog will they put in before they begin?

[WendyMoiraAngelaDarling]

Tbh OP if you insist on everything that's been recommended in this thread I think you'll really struggle to find a walker...

Eg I know and have known about twenty dog walkers, some who'd been doing it for years and came highly recommended. Not one of them is NARPS UK registered.

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

Yes that’s probably true but I think someone with at least some experience of handling or working with dogs would be a start.

[WendyMoiraAngelaDarling]

Which is what I said in my previous post

[BiteyShark]

My clients would tell me how calm, relaxed and happy to snooze the rest of the day away their dogs were after a walk with me because I had worn them out. I think that's more evidence of a decent walk.

I get photos of my dog on a walk which is in the middle of the countryside (thus having needed to walk for miles). In fact he often gets three walks a day at daycare and sometimes I have to ask for less. Despite being towelled down he can still be a bit muddy or damp when I pick him up if the weather has been awful. Also he has a habit of having dried spit on his nose if he has been running at full pelt on walks. I have absolutely no doubt about my walker but these are things that to me are obvious he's been out and about.

My dog also has different greetings depending on how excited he is to see people. I can definitely tell who he wants to spend time with and who he doesn't. I think he would pick my dogcare/walker over me any day

[BiteyShark]

Just had a thought OP. Do you know any dog trainers in your local area?

I had a good trainer for 1-1 sessions and they knew every single other trainer and dogcare/walkers I mentioned. If you do you could ask them for recommendations.

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

Oh yes I’ve got a fab dog trainer. We’re still going to her classes cos I’m waiting to do my Kennel Club Good Cits gold. I meant to ask her but I forgot.