If you use a dog walker can I pick your brains please?

[BadDucks]

Am in the process of putting together a small dog walking/pet care service but am looking to build an service to the typical day time dog walker services available in my area. Am toying with with a more "out of hours" service for those who don't work the typical 9 to 5 mon-fri hours. So after 6pm and Saturdays and Sundays (day and evening). Would include dog walking and at home sitting service. Also offering more adhoc/last minute cover rather than filling my books with only regular customers.

I've spent a lot of time researching what's available in my area and it seems there is a huge amount of daytime dog walkers who only work until 6pm and only offer weekends to regular customers or doggy day care providers. Am hoping I might appeal to those who want less typical hours and for those who's dogs can't cope with daycare.

I use doggy daycare myself when needed as dog walkers just didn't work out for us. Owning a "sensitive" dog it's been a real trial to find the perfect fit and just hoping some thoughts from other experienced dog owners. I'm still very much in the research and planning stages so feel free to grill me and point out the pitfalls as it might raise a question I haven't considered.

I'd also be really interested to know what people would pay for "out of hours" I have looked closely at local prices for typical day time walks so curious as to whether owners would expect to pay more for evenings and weekends?

Points that might be relevant to save people asking. I am an experienced dog owner (currently a rescue dog with a few issues that make walks "interesting" so I'm not expecting to make easy money just walking civilised and biddable hounds around the local park). I have an enhanced DBS, am aware of need for insurance and have got quotes, have considered a "Covid Safe" policy, am doing an animal first aid course online. Also I don't need this to generate a full time salary at this point.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

Elephantfeels that's a really crap experience and all the things I dreaded about using a dog walker. I plan to walk local to clients so no travelling and cutting the walk short!

It's a big deal trusting you've found the right dog walker. We had similar issues with home based doggy daycare. Going out for the day and leaving her teenage son in charge of the dogs, lost his kongs, gave his (expensive) lead to the wrong person, left him in his harness which he managed to chew to pieces. Final straw was realising he must have been left shut in the dog room for a long period as she sent me a photo of the door frame which he'd managed to chew to pieces.

Thankfully I've found the perfect daycare lady now and he loves going there. I'd happily pay her double!

Ah BadDucks, that's annoying that the walker took her dog too. I think that trust is so important and I'd definitely pay more if I knew I was getting someone I knew I could rely on (and animal first aid training would be a big tick for me). I tend to walk somewhere a bit quieter because my dog doesn't like other dogs much (perfectly polite unless they come too close) - only problem is the dog walkers go there too and TBH some of the things I see don't fill me with confidence. DH saw one at the weekend with 11 dogs!

Weekend/evening walks/sitting on an adhoc basis would be great for me hopes OP lives somewhere near me

The thing I find most scary and what puts me off the most is that the vast majority of ‘dog walking/daycare’ businesses are owners/lovers.

That is, they have zero qualifications in dog behaviour and training.
I find that very frightening indeed when you are looking after groups of strange dogs who don’t really know each other abd you don’t really know them

I agree Borderstotheleftofme about large group walks which is one of the reasons I don't intend to to those types of walks. My dog trainer runs a free pack walk for dogs and owners and he insists dogs stay on leads at all times if you are coming along.

There is a local dog walker that also organises pack walks with owners and it's just 30 people and their dogs off lead in the local country park and it's carnage to the point I won't go there at weekends anymore in case she's running one!

@Borderstotheleftofme

The thing I find most scary and what puts me off the most is that the vast majority of ‘dog walking/daycare’ businesses are owners/lovers.

That is, they have zero qualifications in dog behaviour and training.
I find that very frightening indeed when you are looking after groups of strange dogs who don’t really know each other abd you don’t really know them

As an "unqualified" walker I agree with you. Walking huge packs of dogs is massively irresponsible and personally I don't think anyone should do it, regardless of how many qualifications they might have.

My maximum is four across two different households (so I would walk two pairs, for example, or three plus my own). That's the number I feel I can safely control without getting stressed and worried.

Dogs only go off-lead with me once I've been walking them for a good 10-15 times and when I've had a chance to practise their recall in a variety of situations. Owners have to sign to say I'm allowed to let their dogs off as well.

Dog walking is a totally unregulated industry which is why it's really important to get to know your walker. Personally I don't think a load of qualifications necessarily make you a better dog walker than someone who just loves dogs. Lots of the qualified professionals are the ones that walk huge packs of dogs - walker local to us used to take 10+ dogs out at a time, it was shocking and I always wondered what he'd do if one got injured or ran off!

As a dog walker I'm finding this thread really interesting, and wanted to note a few of my thoughts.

I totally agree that large groups of dogs are not ideal. I walk a max of 4 from 3 households and groups are very carefully matched. I only walk dogs in groups which genuinely enjoy the company of other dogs, play nicely and have good recall. I'll allow only one on lead dog on each walk (other than for the walk from van to the start of the walk, or at other times when for safety we lead up all dogs such as passing a horse).

This approach means that I do end up tiring some dogs away who I feel are not suited to my approach. Some are fab dogs but a group is just not for them IMO but for whatever reason the owner wants a group not a solo walk.

I do know my dogs extremely well. I know each of their quirks, their strengths, their anxieties, favourite type of walk, I adore each one and treat them as my own. This takes time to build up so I only take one new dog on at a time and always introduce things slowly so they aren't overwhelmed by a new person, new van, new walk, new friends all at once. This can be tricky when I'm busy so I do ask for a little flexibility time wise for new dogs.

I do all the work myself. The advantages s that I know that everything is done to my standards. The disadvantage is that I can't offer holiday or illness cover, fingers crossed this has not been an issue so far and for holidays I give loads of notice.

I choose exciting walks, with safe access. Mud is a part of this and I do my best with a portable washer and warm water plus loads of towels. But there is a limit to what I can do, and some coat types respond better to this type of wash than others. I can't guarantee a spotless dog unless we do a solo road walk.

I am not a behaviouralist and I make this very clear to anyone with a challenging dog who would have solo walks only. Sadly too many people want dogs with deeply ingrained issues walked by walkers and it is important to know your limits. I've been asked to walk countless dogs with a bite history without a muzzle and have been accused of being unprofessional when I haven't taken this work on.

Overall I love love love my job. But I'll never be rich, and I'll often be wet and covered in mud!

I use dog walkers. I love the ones that try to towel dry off the mud!

I would use weekends occasionally but wouldn’t expect to pay more.

Mine charge £10 per walk

I choose exciting walks, with safe access. Mud is a part of this and I do my best with a portable washer and warm water plus loads of towels. But there is a limit to what I can do, and some coat types respond better to this type of wash than others. I can't guarantee a spotless dog unless we do a solo road walk.

Even with road walks, I can't guarantee a spotless dog!

I had to take two collies back yesterday who both rolled on a dead seal! Thankfully the owner was home and was happy to give them a wash

@vanillandhoney haha I know what you mean! The word 'spotless' was perhaps a bad choice 🥴.

Ugh a seal! Fox poo is about the worst thing I have to contend with.

Luckily most owners aren't too worried about it, but this past October- February were horrendous mud wise in my area. I find it tricky with the 'poo' mix breeds as with their curly coats I find getting wet and then towel drying can cause matting.

Ours used to do a full hour of actual walking with transport time on top of that. Would not have been impressed with transporting time eating into walking time.

Only bug bear was that although I knew she was always getting a full walk (she wore a tracker), on the dog walker's facebook page she posted photos there was rarely a photo of ddog. Hundreds of photos of the other dogs, but not mine.

Maybe mine just wasn't as photogenic .

[quote Chaotic45]@vanillandhoney haha I know what you mean! The word 'spotless' was perhaps a bad choice 🥴.

Ugh a seal! Fox poo is about the worst thing I have to contend with.

Luckily most owners aren't too worried about it, but this past October- February were horrendous mud wise in my area. I find it tricky with the 'poo' mix breeds as with their curly coats I find getting wet and then towel drying can cause matting. [/quote]
God, tell me about it.

I'm in Cumbria so wet and muddy is just normal life here

The dogs saw the seal before me and nothing was gonna stop them both from having a good old roll, haha. Luckily the owners are very laid back and found it funny - my car stunk!

Personally I don't think a load of qualifications necessarily make you a better dog walker than someone who just loves dogs

I do think that all dog walkers should have qualifications, dog first aid and also basic training experience. You would expect positive training experience that has been verified, you would expect body language and also basic health knowledge.

A dog lover is not enough if you are responsible for other peoples dogs and the damage that they can do or can be done to them.

@ViperBugloss I totally agree. I'd love to see my industry regulated.

I have all the elements that you suggest, and I try to keep up to date by taking regular courses. It can be tricky to see the wood for the trees with courses though, as some are so much better than others. Again, I think this would improve if we were regulated.

The problem is that it's easy to make a lot more money for less effort by cutting corners- taking lots of dogs out, not walking for the full time etc.. Sadly some people are motivated to do this and they give the rest of us a bad name.

I walk solo or in small groups. My dogs wear trackers, I take photos, I do all the work myself and I go above and beyond for my customers.

IMDT courses practical and theoretical is a very good place to start. Very accessible, well respected and well presented. Options to obtain level 3 4 5 6 many ofqual regulated.

My industry in dog work is not regulated but within the sector there is minimum requirements people and employers would expect. Lack of regulation should not stop dog walkers getting qualified.

is = are

I do think that all dog walkers should have qualifications, dog first aid and also basic training experience. You would expect positive training experience that has been verified, you would expect body language and also basic health knowledge.

I absolutely agree that a basic level of knowledge should be required, but I disagree about them needing training experience. Dog walkers aren't trainers and shouldn't be expected to train. If you want someone to train your dogs then you need to expect to pay accordingly.

£10 per hour is not the rate you pay for a professional dog trainer.

@ViperBugloss again I agree, but many don't. I have taken the IMDT 2 day trainer and body language courses, but as I don't intend to become a trainer I haven't taken any more with them. Can you recommend any?

I've also got the only specific dog walker training course certificate that I could find- the city and guilds one. I have to say though, I was really disappointed in the content and execution of the course. It felt like all they wanted to do was to get us 'our certificate' by ticking boxes. It was also very very expensive.

I also struggle with courses always being on week days. My customers rely on me and taking days off can be tricky.

I know many other dog professionals are suspicious of dog walkers. But I am doing all I can to be one of her good guys and to do a good job. Any other advice is always welcome.

I also struggle with courses always being on week days. My customers rely on me and taking days off can be tricky.

I have the same issue. I can't take ad-hoc days off to attend courses - I have to be around for my customers. I make most of my money between 10am-2pm, Monday to Friday!

If you are walking dogs you should have training skills in recall, loose lead walking as that is a skill of your job. Not a training requirement to train people but the dogs you are being responsible for.

IMDT courses are weekends mostly . Level 3 Professional dog care and boarding course is distance learning

Loose Leaders course and Happy Recallers are great practical courses. Body Language course is essential for anyone working with dogs.

Courses will always cost you working hours but in the long term will gain you more business. Any profession CPD will take up your time - I think it shows the level of commitment you are willing to make tbh.

£10 hour or £12.50 for weekends flat rate not chat get by hour as depends on dogs needs group and solo again depends what dogs she has and again their needed .My boy easily out 2 plus hours and that's not including if picked up other dogs

Would you be transporting them to walk other places or just on their door step so.to speak

.They are amazing are my one stop as day care which includes walks not just chucked in a field and home boarding (Is 2 of them as a team

Should add ours are both qualified in dog training(can't remember name but is one reccomemdee on here) and dog first aid .
One is also qualified groomer no longer does except dogs she has for day care or home boarding

@ViperBugloss I appreciate your input thank you. I'm not sure why you are questioning the level of commitment that I may have though.

Taking a few weekdays off can cause chaos for my customers, some of whom in turn have to take time off as they rely on me being available. I book all my holiday dates at least a year in advance and many of them book theirs to coincide with mine. As such I need to do training at weekends or finding holiday time wherever possible. It's a little unfair of you to assume you know my industry better than I do.

You sound like you've already decided that dog walkers don't know their stuff. Which is very unfair- there are good and bad ones, just as I am sure there are in your industry.

Listening to other people, having empathy and considering their fact that you might or know everything is a useful skill in any industry and one that I find serves me very well.

I'm not sure why you are questioning the level of commitment that I may have though

Taking a few weekdays off can cause chaos for my customers, some of whom in turn have to take time off as they rely on me being available

I am making no assumptions like this at all - but dog walkers do manage it as you will find out if you go on courses. Usually owners like it and some of the dog walkers take their dog walking dogs on the courses so no one loses out at all. As mentioned previously many courses are at the weekends. Dates are also for months ahead eg you can book for October 2021 so plenty of time to give notice to your customers or book it when they do not need you.

There are an awful lot of very poor dog walkers out more than most industries in my opinion. In my industry they are getting pushed out by the self regulation that is being insisted on within it so that is again a reason I am so up for qualification.

I would love to see the public recognise a good one!

Taking a few weekdays off can cause chaos for my customers, some of whom in turn have to take time off as they rely on me being available. I book all my holiday dates at least a year in advance and many of them book theirs to coincide with mine. As such I need to do training at weekends or finding holiday time wherever possible.

I totally agree with this - I also live rurally and the nearest courses are often a good 2-3 hour drive from me! Not that driving that kind of distance is a problem but it would mean leaving the night before and returning late at night - causing a huge amount of disruption for my clients.

Like yours, they rely on me being available to walk their dogs and me being sick or away will impact their work and holiday too. Most book their annual leave around mine as well.

I think there's a lot of misunderstanding if around dog walking if you're not actually in the industry. It's relatively low paid with a lot of responsibility and imo a lot of people have unrealistic expectations.