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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Dog walking

22 replies

PelicanPie · 08/03/2020 09:49

Do you think £10 an hour for two very lively dogs is fair? They are sweet dogs but they run and run, play fight and need constant watching. I don’t think either of them get enough exercise as their owners work full time.
I did a trial walk with them for three hours recently and they didn’t offer me anything !
I just don’t think it’s enough really. They want someone to walk the dogs for an hour each day , wash them down and towel them off.

OP posts:
AdalbertWaffling · 08/03/2020 09:58

No!! That's not enough, dog walkers should be paid per dog, not per hour. So you are effectively charging £5 per dog. And if you include time taken to pick up and drop off the dogs too, AND if they are wanting to wash them afterwards too (this is not a usual service by the way, you should charge extra!), then think about what that makes your hourly rate...

ItsHAVEnotOF · 08/03/2020 09:58

More like £8 for one and £15 p/h for mine I’ve paid before when I’ve needed them walked while on holiday.

I walk 2 dogs for an hour and then have them at my house for a while afterwards so 3/4 hrs a day and I’m paid £20 but that’s for a good friend.

AdalbertWaffling · 08/03/2020 10:00

Just for clarity - towelling then off is a usual service, I meant it's not usual if you take them up to the bath and give them a proper wash/rinse

Original poster
PelicanPie · 08/03/2020 10:02

They want me to hose the dogs down outside their house and towel them off. One of the dogs is kept in a crate all day when they’re at work which I’m fairly horrified by.

OP posts:
Bestnewshoes · 08/03/2020 10:56

Oh those poor dogs, makes me so cross. No it's not enough money for you OP, selfish owners.

Dreamersandwishers · 08/03/2020 12:13

£10-£12 for first dog, £5-£6 for second; def for for £18 if you are expected to shower them off; towelling is generally included as a necessity.
That’s for an hour of walking plus transport & clean up time.
If they are lively, and they were mine, that would be twice a day.
If I had to work full time I just wouldn’t keep them it’s not fair on them.
You sound kind, but don’t let the owners take advantage of you.

CornishPorsche · 08/03/2020 12:16

Are you dog walker with proper insurance? Are you only just starting out or are you an experienced handler?

Have they / will they sign anything to say they are happy for you to have them off lead?

Washing muddy dogs is par for the course IMO.

Original poster
PelicanPie · 08/03/2020 16:45

I am perfectly happy to shower them outside and towel them off. My question is whether the payment is fair. I don't have insurance, I'm not a dog walker. It is a local couple advertising for someone to walk their dog. I enjoy walking and thought about doing it for enjoyment and for some extra cash.

OP posts:
DesdemonaRosa · 08/03/2020 17:55

I think there's a difference between someone new to dog walking with no experience, qualifications etc doing it more as a favour and a professional with up to date qualifications in behaviour and first aid etc.

The latter can charge more than the former.

Wolfiefan · 08/03/2020 17:57

I wouldn’t be taking a paid dog walking job without insurance TBH.

CornishPorsche · 08/03/2020 18:23

Hmm, where does that leave you if one of them attacks someone / another dog, causing injury? Or run out in front of a car?

Your liability is very important.

Knowivedonewrong · 08/03/2020 18:57

I'm a dog walker. I charge £15 per hr for the first dog and £8 for the second dog from the same household.
You're opening yourself up to all sorts of problems here. They sound like they are taking the piss.

pilates · 08/03/2020 19:03

It sounds fine to me. You haven’t got insurance and so I wouldn’t be using you.

Original poster
PelicanPie · 08/03/2020 20:25

I am worried about them knocking someone over etc.
They are really exuberant. I’m not going to do it. Thanks for the advice. It’s a shame because I really like the dogs.
I assume people registered with Borrow my Doggy aren't insured either?

OP posts:
MrsBooks · 08/03/2020 20:28

I walk a dog for the Cinnamon Trust. It's a charity so I'm a volunteer but I'm covered under their insurance. Borrow my doggy may be the same?

CornishPorsche · 08/03/2020 20:59

Yes Borrow My Doggy cover you with their insurance if you're both Premium members.

I'd let the idiot owners know you're not able to do it due to insurance costs etc. Maybe point them towards any local walkers if there are any?

adaline · 08/03/2020 21:04

I'm a dog walker. I charge £10 per hour for the first dog, £7 per hour for the second.

I would not take a client who would only pay me £10 for two dogs. It's just not worth it for me. Dog walking is a big responsibility, especially if you let them off the lead.

I on't believe any good, insured, experienced walker would charge so little. A young girl near us charges that kind of price and I've noticed a lot of people are drawn in by how cheap it is, but very few people stick with her.

adaline · 09/03/2020 07:26

I think a lot of people see dog walking as a way to make some easy money but walking other people's dogs is a huge responsibility. If you do it without being insured then you're asking for big trouble if something happens.

I'm insured and it covers me for the following:

  • injury on the job
  • lost keys
  • public liability insurance
  • if a dog is injured in my care
  • travel costs if my car breaks down
  • if a dog in my care injures me or a passer by
  • if a dog is off-lead and runs off. I only let dogs off lead with signed permission from the owner to cover me for this.
  • dog fights between each other.

All sorts. It's harder than walking your own dog as you don't necessarily have that bond there. You're also acutely aware that it's your livelihood at stake and you have to be on the ball constantly to make sure all the dogs are safe and happy.

TheSpanielsBalls · 09/03/2020 08:35

I’m not going to do it.

Sensible decision, OP. I agree with pp that dog walking is often seen as an easy job but honestly, I wouldn't let my dogs go with anyone who wasn't insured, had first aid training and either up to date dog behaviour qualifications or several years experience at dog handling in a professional capacity. Too many people think that owning a dog is all the experience you need and go into dog walking without ever thinking about the problems that could arise without the above credentials.

RoombaSavedMySanity · 09/03/2020 09:36

Too many people think that owning a dog is all the experience you need

Barely that, sometimes. Someone started up dog walking 'professionally' in our village having only ever had one dog - and that was under 2 years old! No other training or experience Shock

adaline · 09/03/2020 14:57

The thing is, you can set up as a dog-walker but if you're not good at what you do, you won't get repeat custom.

I've got jobs booked in right through until December - I'm fully insured, DBS checked and first-aid trained. It pushes my prices up a little bit but it means people trust me.

There's a young girl nearby who has owned dogs all her life but has no formal qualifications. She charges less than me (and the other professionals nearby) but she can't keep her clients. Presumably because they've realised the best person to entrust their dog to is not an 18yo with no experience or insurance!

Original poster
PelicanPie · 10/03/2020 09:43

Out if interest, people who are dog walkers, how did you set up and are the costs worth it? How does your day go and what are the pluses and minuses?

OP posts:
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