Does anyone use a dog walker?

• Does anyone use a dog walker? Sue and Buddy Posted : 7/20/2006 10:28:57 PM Hi, my name is Sue.  I have a 12 week old Boston Terrier/Corgi mix and his name is Buddy.  He is a really sweet dog and keeps me on my toes.  []  During the summer I have some flexibility at work and Buddy comes with me some days and other days I have family members come and take him out and play with him during the day.  Well, at the end of August I am back to teaching full time and my family members will be back to their normal schedules.  I am going to have to use a dog walker until Buddy is of an age that he can hold it all day.  Does anyone use a dog walker?  What do I need to look out for?  Any pitfalls?  Good stories, bad stories?  I have done some research online and have found a few that service my area.    TIA, Sue LIKE 10 REPLIES 111 VIEWS LAST POST RWBEAGLES Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Xerxes Posted : 7/21/2006 8:32:11 AM I used a dog walking service for 2 months.  On the whole I think it's a great service.  One of my neighbors recommended it to me and she's got 3 smaller dogs who are little social butterflies.  Xerxes, on the other hand, is a bit more reserved and not as apt to walk off, or pay attention to a stranger.    I discontinued the service because of 3 things: Xerxes began to have "accidents" in the house, he began to run away from my roomie when ever he would try to take Xerx outside, and the dog walker sent me an email saying that X would jump up on her (not unusual) and give her "little kisses on her face."  I would have believed it if she had said that he gives her chin nibbles or ear nibbles. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• marynh Posted : 7/21/2006 8:35:37 AM when I worked longer days I would get up earlier in the morning to take my previous dog for a walk. I know it's hard for a lot of people to do but I always felt it was up to me to find the time to walk my dog. Besides....it keeps me honest about getting the exercise I need. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• inne Posted : 7/21/2006 10:40:41 AM I tried using a dog walker and it was awful.    Louise really did not like her, which is weird because she likes *everyone*.   After our trial walk, I have to say I didn't get on with her either, so that was the end of that.  I've seen some great dog walkers when I'm out, though, and if I decide to try it again I know a few I'm going to ask.   If you know anyone who hires a dog walker, I would go by a personal recommendation more than anything else.  Go along the first time and see how they interact.    Being able to trust this person is the most important thing. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Justine Freeman Posted : 7/21/2006 10:51:26 AM I am the dog walker! But a lot of people take their dogs to this placehttp://www.wagsandwiggles.com It is doggy daycare...maybe you have something similar where you are! 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Sue and Buddy Posted : 7/21/2006 9:10:16 PM Thanks everyone!  I'll keep looking.    Sue 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• jetty Posted : 7/21/2006 9:56:53 PM I personally wouldn't feel comfortable hiring a dog walker without a ton of research and personally observing them interact with my dog and others on more than one occasion.  I try to make friends with my neighbours and people in training class so that if necessary, we can rely on each other!  I need to have complete trust and confidence in the person's abilities before putting Dodger in their care.   A few friends of mine have employed dog walkers and I have spoken to a few at the dog park they made me never want to rely on a dog walker.  The dog walkers either had too many dogs, were too busy talking, let dogs off-leash that shouldn't be off-leash and in particular tied a JRT (who was wearing a prong) to my friend's border collie (because the JRT wasn't trustworthy off-leash) - which resulted in a nearly fatal accident when the BC played and dragged the JRT around the park - I will never forget the sounds that poor JRT made. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• jennie_c_d Posted : 7/21/2006 10:27:30 PM I walk a few dogs, not really as a business, but as a way to help out a few grooming clients with good dogs, and friends. I know the dogs and we're comfortable with each other, before I begin to walk them. Before I walk them, the owner goes on a walk, with us, and puts on the leashes, and shows me exactly what the routine is. I like to do things the same way, so that I don't stress anybody or mess anything up. I'd hope that any dog walker would get to know the dog a little and learn the routine. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• jennie_c_d Posted : 7/21/2006 10:28:36 PM The dog walkers either had too many dogs, were too busy talking, let dogs off-leash that shouldn't be off-leash and in particular tied a JRT (who was wearing a prong) to my friend's border collie (because the JRT wasn't trustworthy off-leash) - which resulted in a nearly fatal accident when the BC played and dragged the JRT around the park - I will never forget the sounds that poor JRT made. That's HORRIBLE!!!! I'd never allow someone else to take my dog to a dog park. I don't even take my dogs to a dog park.... 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• bunni Posted : 7/22/2006 4:29:34 PM Check references. Then check references. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• rwbeagles Posted : 7/22/2006 4:31:18 PM Hey look it's Bunni....when did you sneak in, lol! Good to see you....[sm=proud.gif] 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login