Dog Wants Owner When Walking

willowchow

I honestly have no idea if many dog trainers walked dogs first.   

Yes, having good handling skills and overall knowledge of dogs is important.  But, it's information to help you walk the dogs and get the job done competently.  

Yep, that's how many trainers start out. You won't see many aspiring dog trainers enter the dog business world as a pet sitter. As mentioned earlier, that's how dogTEC founder Veronica Boutelle started out. Victoria Stilwell, Animal Planet's internationally well known trainer, started out as a dog walker. And love 'em or hate 'em, Cesar Millan started out as a dog walker too. "Getting the job done competently" includes teaching the dog leash manners (if needed). Otherwise, it isn't safe for the dog or yourself. I don't know about you, but I'd rather not take on a client than have my shoulder torn open.

ShelterDogs

"Getting the job done competently" includes teaching the dog leash manners (if needed).

No, not really, not as a dog walker.  Hey, maybe in other areas of the country they do.  But, that has not been my experience here. 

Just an FYI-pet sitting, dog walking-basically the same thing.  The only difference being that when sitting the owners aren't coming home so usually you are going there more than once per day-2 or 3 times--sometimes 4.   I almost never did over night sitting where I stayed at the house.  And, you are probably going to find that most dog walkers also do sitting because there just aren't enough regulars to just do daily walks with to make a living. 

Also, "starting out as a dog walker" doesn't (to me at least) mean they tried adding services and charging for things that dog walkers don't normally do. 

As far as teaching the dog leash manners--I never tried to change the dog or retrain the dog.  If the dog knew certain commands, I used them.  If the owner wanted the dog walked on a choke collar, I did that.  If they wanted me to go a certain route, I did that.   But I never felt it was my responsiblity to teach them anything they didn't already know--regardless of whether I thought they should know it or not.

I mean just re-read the reactions you got from just a few people here regarding what you are proposing.  People are usually happy with the way their dogs behave.  They don't see things that you might think are a problem to be an issue.  And, if you start trying to tell people that their dog has some problem they will get offended--regardless of whether you are right or not. 

But, I think I've stated and restated.  I was just trying to help.  Good luck with your business. 

Lori

ShelterDogs

I don't know about you, but I'd rather not take on a client than have my shoulder torn open.

In regards to this--I NEVER turned clients away unless they were a biting danger to me.  And, I only had to do that once.  If the dog was so bad that I was worried about my safety or health--I would--as I mentioned early--suggest other alternatives to the owner--like playing ball in the yard or when possible going to a park.