Dogs sharing crates in dog walkers van?

[Bordersandballs]

Is this something that is considered poor practice? I just discovered my dog walker has been doing this and I am little worried as I have quite an anxious dog

Dog walker here, but granted I don’t walk groups as I think it’s too high risk and stressy. But to me, that’s poor practice and basically asking for an issue to arise. Can you ask her about this and share your concerns? I’d insist your dog is in a crate alone, being in with another dog whilst travelling is likely to make him more anxious

I will ask her. Just trying to establish if it is ok sometimes. I assumed it was maybe something dogs don’t mind once they get to know the dogs but just reading online it doesn’t look that good an idea

Change dog walkers - this one clearly has more concern about making more money than the dogs welfare and happiness

Absolutely not acceptable. I wouldn’t even put two of my own dogs in a crate together!

I wouldnt even talk to the dog walker about it because they must know this is absolutely unacceptable, and they’ve done it anyway. Chances are if you spoke to them, they’d just claim they’d change and then not change! I’d ’vote with your feet’ and find someone new.

Hmm. Yes she was proudly telling me that my dog is great in the van and shares crates well with other dogs. I assumed this was normal practice. But dog did get a small injury the other day which was unexplained and now I am worried

Feeling pretty sad about it as I thought she was reputable and I searched for ages to find someone I could trust as I was so worried about using a dog walker

I would only put two dogs from the same house in a crate together in the van, and even then only if the crate was of a sufficient size. That said, I have had several instances where two unrelated dogs have chosen to jump into the same crate at the end of a walk. I very rarely let them stay like that though.

Ask other dogowners you meet where you live who they would recommend. Also, the vet receptionists. Word of mouth is better than advertisements.

I wouldn’t have that. No way.
The animal cannot escape if the other one attacks it for whatever unexpected reason. Which will likely result in huge vet bills. Imagine a car lost control and hit the dog walker van and all the dogs got flung around inside their crates. One would be on top of the other and it’s think it was deliberate not accidental and attack in retaliation.

nope. I’d get another dog walker. I think it’s completely unacceptable.

I know it’s different, but my horse was put in a small enclosed area with another one and it nearly killed him. Most unexpected as they were friends. But that’s animals for you. Unpredictable.

I saw 2 women who i assume were dog walkers putting 10/12 dogs into a qashqai this afternoon. I struggled to count them.There were so many. 5/6 in the boot together, 3 or 4 on back seat and one in the passenger footwell. I was a flabbergasted. They weren't very small dogs, but they weren't big either. They were like small spaniels/cockerpoos and to be fair, they all seemed fine but, oh my god, I wonder if the owners know

Asking for problems! change!

I don’t think you can safely walk more than one dog. My dog was attacked by two dogs and the owner was running over while I batted the two away. I got one off and the other came back. Nowadays, I’d be trying to get them unconscious but I just ran around like a fool. It’s unlikely but more likely than you think and if you can’t protect the dogs, you shouldn’t be being paid to walk them. Two is acceptable. More Is not. Many places have a limit on the dogs you can walk as an owner and a walker.

I've never even thought of this before, our dog goes to doggy day care 3 times a week and I've no idea what the inside of their vans like.

No. No. No.

I’m a dog walker and all dogs travel separately unless they’re from the same household.

I am starting to think maybe I could manage without dog walker. If I got up at 5 I could do a good 1.5 hours with her playing and walking. Leave for work at 9. Get someone to pop in around lunchtime to let her out in garden for a play and then teens home at 3 so they could take over then. Do you think this sounds like a better plan? I can’t have someone walk her round the block as she is reactive to traffic unfortunately

This is the norm for any kind of Doggy daycare. Have you read the latest on Bruce's?

https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-sunday-telegraph/20250803/281883009403991

Just because it’s ‘normal’ doesn’t mean it’s safe or sensible. Every time OPs dog is shoved in a crate with another dog, it’s placing both of them at significant risk.

It’s only normal because so many of them cut corners to maximise profits!

Another thing to consider with these businesses that use vans packed full of dogs is how long are they in there for? We don't pack walk only small groups of two or three. Even with dogs that live close by dropping dogs off at home, drying off, checking they have water etc takes time. How long are dogs stuck in that crate for if the walker has up to 10 to drop off for example? Esp in the warmer months? Its not acceptable to have 2 dogs not from the same household in a crate together.

Sorry posted twice

I wouldn't want to use a walker who has so many dogs they are doubling up. After some bad experiences with group walks the rare occasion I use one we pay for a shorter solo walk. I see way too.many out of control groups with walkers

Mine goes into a shared crate when walking (3x a week) and he's fine (he knows the other dogs well). His behaviour with other dogs is so much better now he's in close contact with his "pack".

In fact, I'd argue it would be beneficial for an anxious dog to be crated with calm dog(s).

No it's normal so people who love their dogs shouldn't use these facilities at all. A personal dog walker who just comes to take your dog(s) out is one thing but these day cares are awful.

The reports on Bruce's said like 3-5hrs.

100%

Well in an ideal world yes. But it’s dark at 5am. Is that safe for you?

And what happens when a treat is accidentally left in the crate or one of the dogs is sick or injured and a fight breaks out?