Dog Walkers | Local Services | Classifieds.co.uk :

There are a number of reasons why people today decide to hire a dog walker. However if you are thinking of taking this route then there are a few things that need to be checked and a fair few questions that need to be asked before you decide anything. Professional dog walkers will be happy to answer all of your questions so that your mind is set at ease before you leave your precious bundle of joy in their care. With this in mind, below are a number of questions that you need to ask all potential dog walkers before using their services.

Do they have references from previous or current clients?
Most dog walkers will be able to provide written references from their clients. Those who can provide the contact details for some of their best clients are even better. This way, you can talk directly to the clients and find out exactly how competent the dog walker is and if they have ever had any problems in the past.

Do they have a police CRB check?
It is vitally important in today's society to hire trustworthy people. However there is no guaranteed way to know if a particular person can be trusted with your dog and possibly the keys to your house. A valid up-to-date CRB certificate is a good start however but make sure it is for the person that will actually be walking your dog and not just for the owner of the company you use.

What do they charge for walking your dog?
You should ask for quotes or a full price list before agreeing to anything so that you know how much the service will cost for the duration. This is because some dog walkers charge more if you have multiple dogs while others charge more for short notice walks. Similarly some will give discounts for repeat bookings and some will even feed and groom your dog for no extra charge if they are hired to visit your house on a daily basis while you are away on holiday. You should also compare the prices for two or three service providers to see if the one you are interested in is charging an average fee.

How do they require payment?
Small companies may only deal with cash while larger companies may take a credit card over the phone when booking or a cheque at the end of the month. Either way make sure you ask for a receipt so there can be no misunderstandings.

Do they walk your dog on its own or in a group with other dogs?
A lot of people forget to ask this question and then wonder why their prize poodle seems traumatised following its first walk! Some dogs don't mix well with others. If this is the case with your dog then you will need to find a walker who is willing to walk your dog by itself, although large companies may want to charge more for this.

If they require a key to your house, will it be kept in a safe place?
The last thing you want is to give your dog walker a key to your house only for it to be lost or stolen from their house! The most professional companies will have some kind of combination safe to keep client's keys in so that there is little chance of them being misplaced or stolen.

If you are going away on holiday for a week or more, will the dog walker take on a few extra tasks, such as feeding your dog and any other pets you may have, cleaning litter trays if required and generally making the house seem occupied?
Some dog walkers will do nothing more than walk your dog in which case you may also need to hire a pet sitter if you are away from home for an extended period of time. If however you can find a company or an individual who will take on the extra tasks then this will be better for yourself and your pets whilst also saving you some added expense.

Do they have insurance in case your dog is involved in an accident or causes an accident?
The most professional dog walkers will have personal indemnity insurance which will not only cover the loss of your pet but will also pay for any claims that are made against your pet while they are out on a walk.

Do they know any dog first aid and will they take your dog to the vet if necessary?
This may sound like a strange question to ask however if you know that your beloved dog is being cared for by someone who can administer first aid then you will undoubtedly feel easier about leaving them in their care. Similarly if the dog walker you choose is willing to take your pet to the vet for emergencies then, again, you will probably choose them in preference to others.

In addition to these questions there are also a couple of things you should check before committing to a booking. Firstly you need to know that your dog actually likes the walker and that they will leave the house with them. For this you should ask the dog walker to visit your home to meet both yourself and your dog prior to their first scheduled walk. For very fussy dogs it may even be worth going for a trial walk where you go along with the dog walker. Secondly, you need to make sure that the walker is flexible with regards to bookings as you may find that at times some walks need to be rescheduled or that extra walks are required if you have to work late one day.

Conclusion
It is particularly important that dogs are kept safe while out and about. Hiring a dog walker is therefore a big step and it may take some research to ensure you find a reliable and trustworthy person that is available when you need them, affordable and agreeable to your dog! Keep looking, however, as the perfect dog walker is undoubtedly out there somewhere.

Other Dog Walkers Resources

Dog Home Boarding - The National Home Boarding Register is an alternative to boarding kennels. The firm offers a number of services including day boarding, creche, dog boarding, dog walking, pet sitting and pet food delivery....
nhbr.co.uk