Becoming a dog walker

How much experience or training do you have? My area is becoming saturated by dogs and commercial dog walkers. It’s increasingly difficult to walk my dogs in areas I’ve loved for over 50 years.
I’d be very careful before doing this. I could write the boring book but - last week at a local park with a good children’s play area, a commercial dog Walker arrived. He had a pug with no collar and an xlbully on a lead. The bully was muzzled but the handler took it of as he played with the off lead bully. This within yards of the children’s play area.

The pug ran off, following another group of dogs. The muzzle went back on for a short walk but when the dogs went back in his car, the muzzle came off. The pug was eventually located.
The law is clear, XLbullies to be muzzled in public and in vehicles. Dogs to be secured, in a crate or in the boot with dog guard. This handler broke the law throughout. His details were on the side of his vehicle. I’d planned to walk my lab but he stayed in the car and we used an enclosed field instead.

Apologies for a moaning Minnie response but I know I’m not alone in feeling far too many people see dog walking as an easy way to make money. I’m not suggesting you’re in thst group redblueandgreen

You would need good insurance cover, and in many areas, dog walkers are supposed to be licensed by the local authority, so you'd need to check if that was a necessity in your area. Most good dog walkers will also have done a course in animal first aid, just in case of emergencies. Do you also have a suitable method of securing a dog (or dogs) in your car or other vehicle (which would also have to be insured for business use)? I'd suggest doing quite a bit research before jumping into it feet first.

My dogs have been attacked by other dogs several times. One time a Staffie ran out of a garden and tried to kill my current dog. My partner had to fight the dog off. It had hospitalised another dog the week before.I’m afraid that, these days, on dog walks we’re constantly on the alert for loose dangerous dogs. I know my dog breeds pretty well but still get caught out by some. My daughter’s miniature schnauzer was attacked by a dog last year. She grabbed the attacking dog by its back legs; no idea how she managed to do that. A local Facebook page recommends always carrying a slip lead as it’s the only way to safely get an attacking dog off your dog. I no longer find dog walking a relaxing experience.

I'm so sorry to hear this. What unpleasant times. I don't have a dog but really enjoy meeting nice dogs as I'm walking to the bus stop.
I'm sometimes horrified to see dog walkers with 7+ dogs on leads all tangled up. The poor creatures. Don't get a dog if you can't look after it properly yourself.
The OP sounds like a Godsend for someone no longer well enough to walk a dog. It's great that she wants to focus on one dog at a time and to get to know it. The Cinnamon Trust might be of interest

I personally would think three times about it. It is a lovely idea but fraught with danger. Too much hassle for me re the necessary insurance etc.

If you enjoy the company of dogs and the exercise it brings, but perhaps would rather not go to the faff of starting a business this charity are always looking for volunteers.
cinnamon.org.uk/

Yes I was also going to mention the cinnamon trust. Volunteering to walk dogs for a disabled or older person would be greatly received.

In this area you have to approach the local authority regarding setting up a dog walking business. They will be the ones to grant a licence. Public liability insurance and doggie first aid course. I volunteered at a local dog rescue charity for many years so that could be a possibility? Good luck.

MayBee70

My dogs have been attacked by other dogs several times. One time a Staffie ran out of a garden and tried to kill my current dog. My partner had to fight the dog off. It had hospitalised another dog the week before.I’m afraid that, these days, on dog walks we’re constantly on the alert for loose dangerous dogs. I know my dog breeds pretty well but still get caught out by some. My daughter’s miniature schnauzer was attacked by a dog last year. She grabbed the attacking dog by its back legs; no idea how she managed to do that. A local Facebook page recommends always carrying a slip lead as it’s the only way to safely get an attacking dog off your dog. I no longer find dog walking a relaxing experience.

It sounds incredibly stressful and upsetting. I ofen choose less-trafficked routes.

It's a bit dangerous because you have to be able to break up a dog fight.

Finding quiet routes is increasingly difficult

Try borrow my doggy that way you are insured and you get to build a relationship with the dog. Not a way to earn though

On a positive note, I retired 6 years ago and started a dog walking business. I took several courses including dog first aid, basic training and nutrition. I then advertised on FB and in local shops. I only walk on lead and locally, I make a point of this when I have my meet and greet with the owner. I currently have 13 dogs on my books and am not looking to take on any more. For me it is the best way to get exercise & fresh air whilst earning a few quid!! Also I've never had problems with other dogs but do have insurance as you never know.

Try the website 'Borrow my doggy' or some such name, they link owners with dogs who need a bit more attention to those who don't have a dog but would like to help out with walks - you'll get to know the same dog really well 🙂 my friends dog loved5 the extra attention and walks and even went away for walking weekends with her borrowers.

Iam64

Finding quiet routes is increasingly difficult

I was looking after a friends whippet when I was without a dog of my own for a while. We were told to keep him on a tight lead as he’d been traumatised by an attack. So we took him onto a flood bank that surrounds the village on which you rarely see other people. Blow me a man came across walking two terriers, one of which ran straight up to the poor dog. Thank goodness I had wrapped his lead around my hand as I had been advised.. He did bite me in his panic albeit not hard; it wasn’t his fault as he was terrified. I never told his owner but I haven’t looked after another dog since. When I look after my grand dog I just play with her in the garden.

You could possibly get in touch with The Cinnamon Trust who match volunteers with local dogs when their owners are not well enough to walk them. A wonderful charity based in Cornwall but helping pet owners nationwide.

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Iam64 .....

Well, as the walker's details were on his van, I do hope that you reported him to the relevant authorities.

With the school holidays here, it sounds ven more like an accident/tragedy waiting to happen.
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Dennis2

MayBee70

My dogs have been attacked by other dogs several times. One time a Staffie ran out of a garden and tried to kill my current dog. My partner had to fight the dog off. It had hospitalised another dog the week before.I’m afraid that, these days, on dog walks we’re constantly on the alert for loose dangerous dogs. I know my dog breeds pretty well but still get caught out by some. My daughter’s miniature schnauzer was attacked by a dog last year. She grabbed the attacking dog by its back legs; no idea how she managed to do that. A local Facebook page recommends always carrying a slip lead as it’s the only way to safely get an attacking dog off your dog. I no longer find dog walking a relaxing experience.

It sounds incredibly stressful and upsetting. I ofen choose less-trafficked routes.

We only have one road going through our village so there was no avoiding that particular house. They did have a visit from the police and the safe neighbourhood warden. Dog never escaped from it’s garden again but it’s owners continued to walk it round the village without a muzzle.

Yes we reported

I decided to become a dog minder/walker but only had one job as my own dog became very ill and my time was taken up with him.
I did it through the a local franchise which organised dog walkers. It's quite an involved process which in my case involved a long test with a council person. I was coached beforehand by the franchisee. I had to do a dog first aid course as well.
As for worrying about other dogs you might meet, I wouldn't bother. You develop an instinct for which dogs are ok and which aren't.
Sounds like a lovely job for you. I have a puppy now and he keeps me very busy.

I live near a seaside park. Any day I go down no matter what time if day the car park is full of cars with numerous dogs in them. I feel during Covid and since the place has gone mad on dog owning. Never encountered so many dog walkers in the 40 years being a dog owner. Really research the job as some seem to think it's okay to let them roam all over parks to great annoyance of other users.

If you just want to do it because of the pleasure of walking a dog rather than to make money, why don’t you think about volunteering to dog walk for the Cinnamon Trust. They are always looking for willing people to walk dogs owned by mainly elderly people who cannot now walk their beloved pets.
They are a brilliant charity and you will be covered by their insurance. If you register as a volunteer they will contact you when they have a need in your area.

Developing an instinct for which dogs are ok and which aren’t will be of no use if a dog you see approaching off lead isn’t ok. As 4allweknow says there has been an influx of dog ownership and commercial dog walkers. My experienced dog training friends use safe enclosed fields because of the number of out of control dogs dominating areas weve enjoyed for many years

I met a beautiful Great Dane on the beach today and it’s owner said he had to warn people not to touch it as it was fine with other dogs but nervous of people and he had to warn people with children not to let them go to stroke him. I’m going to get a slip lead; it isn’t something I’d thought of using.

I’ve bought a first defence spray from the evil empire. I’m sick of badly behaved dogs