If you just rescued a dog, you know how important it is for the dog to get exercise. If you work and do not have time to walk your dog on a regular basis, you can hire a dog walking service to do this for you. Below is information to help you choose the best dog walker for you and your dog.
Find a Service
Search online for a dog walking service in your area. Ask friends and family who have used this type of service. Social media is a great place to look as well. Talk with people at your veterinary office. Some dog walkers will leave advertisements with them. Dog groomers may also know of dog walking services they would recommend.
Ask the Right Questions
When you find a few dog walking services that you like, make an appointment to interview the dog walker they chose for you. Once you do this, there are many questions you need to ask before you hire them.
Determine how much experience they have and how long they have been with the dog walking service.
Ask the person if they are familiar with the area that you live in. You can tell them where you want them to walk your dog, or they may decide this on their own. Ask the person how long they will walk your dog every time. If you have a large dog, make sure the person can handle a dog of this size.
Someone that has other experience, such as with training pets, first aid for pets, etc., can be beneficial, so ask about this. The service should have already done a background check on the dog walker and asked them for references.
Meet with the Dog
Let the dog walker come to your home and meet your dog to see how they interact. Watch your dog closely, as they can sense if someone is suited for them. If your dog wags its tail and seems, happy then this is a good sign that you've found your dog walker. If your dog seems afraid or will not go to the person, then this may not be a good fit.
Let the dog walker take your dog on a test walk to see how they work together on an actual walk. Walk with them, and as you are walking, see how the dog walker handles different situations. For example, if there is a cat or another dog that causes your dog to pull the leash, see how the dog walker handles this.
If you plan to get another rescue dog soon, most dog walkers can walk more than one dog at the same time.
Share23 December 2020
Our pets are like our children — they need to be cared for when we are away. After being a stay at home mom for many years, I had to make some serious adjustments when I reentered the workforce. My children are all grown, but my dog just can't be home by himself. I had to find a day care for him to go to when I went to work. I was conflicted — how do I choose the day care that will provide him with the love, care and attention that he is used to? This blog will provide you with the same tips that I was given that helped me choose.