Stuggling to find dog walker?

[IseeScottishhills]

I've recently moved to a very rural mainly farming area and am looking for a dog walker or would consider doggy day acre (I need it 4-5 times a month). It seems impossible to find one.
There are various websites which dog sitters/walker register with e.g. Holivet but I'm unsure about their reliability/insurance/knowledge of dogs/and as I'm giving them then keys to my house which for the area is large and has some fairly valuable items in if they've been police checked etc. any thoughts?

I'm unsure about their reliability/insurance/knowledge of dogs

Ring them up for an initial chat and ask them these questions.

I found mine by asking on Nextdoor.co.uk

I found mine through Rover

Hello! I'm a dog walker.

Have you asked for recommendations on your local Facebook site(s)? Most dog walkers offer a free meet and greet so you can meet them, ask any questions you might have, check their insurance/qualifications and see how they interact with your pet(s).

I wouldn't go via a big website like Rover etc. - firstly, they take a big percentage of earnings so what you pay isn't what the walker receives, and secondly, their insurance isn't the best. Your best bet is to go with someone who is independent and who can show you all their paperwork in person.

Good dog walkers will be insured and canine first-aid trained at a minimum, and will be able to supply references on request. Don't be afraid to meet up with several of them before making a decision, either - we won't be offended!

I tried our local facebook page (village population 110) and I got a couple of offers of help but it was older school children looking to earn a few extra £s after school. even if they were suitable the dog needs walking mid morning I\m home by 2 at the latest, The next town/village is 10 miles away I guess I could try there. I think because its mainly a traditional farming community or the retired people don't need their dogs walked.

What about asking at your vets? They may know someone, who works as a dog Walker.

@Bargebill19 I was just thinking that myself great minds clearly think alike .

Most dog walkers will travel - I cover a 10-15 mile radius as we're very rural and just sticking to one village wouldn't be very useful

You're also at an advantage if you want mid-morning slots as most people want lunchtime! I hope you find someone soon :)

I was going to suggest your vets or nextdoor too.

Is there anyway you allow just access to say a conservatory or utility area and have a doggy door to the rest of the house? Or would the dogs be left in that room ALL day too?

Our nearest and the counties only big town (it's relative we're not talking major city) is 25 miles away I found a few there but none will travel out to our village.
"Is there anyway you allow just access to say a conservatory or utility area and have a doggy door to the rest of the house? Or would the dogs be left in that room ALL day too?"
I'm probably being particularly dim but I'm not sure what you mean?
"You're also at an advantage if you want mid-morning slots as most people want lunchtime!"
This good to hear he's getting older and he's very adaptable I'll walk him when I come home so at a push he only needs to go round the block for 15 mins or he'll happily do an hour with a walker them another hour with me.

I had no idea it was so difficult to find a walker in some areas, we've come from a rural area and there are loads of dog walkers advertising on the local facebook page; different demographic.

Nextdoor.co.uk doesn't recognise the area!!!

@IseeScottishhills. Thank you ! (Blushes bright red).

Sorry if I wasn't clear.

You said you didn't trust people to have access to your entire house and valuables. Can walkers just have access to get into the conservatory/back door/utility area but cannot access the rest of the house? The dogs would have access via a doggy door between the conservatory and rest of house, but not the walker?

It’s not that I am very untrusting I’m just slightly reluctant to give the keys to my house to a total stranger that I’ve found on the internet.
Its a good idea if I could set the dratted alarm to not go off I could possibly shut the dog in the utility room as it has a separate external door.