Dog walkers

Where did you find the walker?  My first question would be:
 
Is she insured and bonded? 
 
Next I would ask how she would handle specific things that could happen - like: 
- meet and greet with other dogs
- barking/lunging dog
- scavenging on ground
- pulling/misbehaving
 
Finally, I would present her with detailed instructions regarding things like:
- corrections (how you would like her to correct your baby)
- where to walk/where not to walk
- commands to give (sit, heel, etc.  whatever you're already doing)
- treats (okay to give?  when to give? which to give?)
- crossing roads (my walker for instance, is to have Slick "sit" at every crosswalk/light)
 
I know how you feel!!! It's really hard to trust someone else to take care of your baby.  I have used dog walkers for the past 15 years and have used many different "types".   It's always scary, but if you do your homework and the person checks out - AND you have a good "gut" feeling, it works!! 
 
Oh, I forgot the most obvious thing - make sure that she clearly, visibly loves dogs!    Watch her closely when she interacts with your baby.   That's actually what cinched it for me and my current walker.  She just LOVES my boy and I know that dictates everything else. 
 
Good Luck!!!!

That idea has alwyas seemed a little strange for me. How do you know this person isnt gonna go to her boyfriends house and go make out while your dog sits outside the door bored outta his mind., Ha ha, i know that is a lil far fetched but what if?
Also I love walking with my girl, it is like a bonding experience with us. We've gotten to the point that it is much needed for both of us, silent in the early morning, just the two of us taking everything in. Isnt that kinda why we get dogs in the first place? I dont mean that in a negative way but I've never understood why some people get a dog just to lock them in a crate all day ha ha!

ORIGINAL: sheprano

That idea has alwyas seemed a little strange for me. How do you know this person isnt gonna go to her boyfriends house and go make out while your dog sits outside the door bored outta his mind., Ha ha, i know that is a lil far fetched but what if?

 
It's unfortunately not far fetched at all - that's exactly why you only hire someone who is insured and bonded.  Doesn't mean the bonded person won't do anything wrong - but it does mean that they are professional and your risk is greatly lowered.
 

Also I love walking with my girl, it is like a bonding experience with us. We've gotten to the point that it is much needed for both of us, silent in the early morning, just the two of us taking everything in. Isnt that kinda why we get dogs in the first place? I dont mean that in a negative way but I've never understood why some people get a dog just to lock them in a crate all day ha ha!

 
Sorry, I don't understand what you're saying...  What does hiring a dog walker have to do with crating?  She said she'd like to get a walker so that she can occasionally sleep in, no? 

ORIGINAL: sheprano

That idea has alwyas seemed a little strange for me. How do you know this person isnt gonna go to her boyfriends house and go make out while your dog sits outside the door bored outta his mind., Ha ha, i know that is a lil far fetched but what if?

I meet the same dog walkers every single day and we let our dogs play together in the park sometimes, so I know they really do walk dogs.   Maybe they go make out with their boyfriends afterwards  


Isnt that kinda why we get dogs in the first place? I dont mean that in a negative way but I've never understood why some people get a dog just to lock them in a crate all day ha ha!

My puppy is with me almost all day, not locked in a crate.   That's part of the reason  it would be nice to have a break once in a while - to be able to spend a whole day running errands or go out for a whole evening and know she is taken care of or, yes, sleep past 6am sometimes.   It's the same reason parents get babysitters; it doesn't mean they don't love being with their kids, but sometimes you want to do things that make it impossible for you to take care of them for a few hours and during those few hours they will need to go out.   Having someone else take your dog out for you at those times certainly doesn't mean you  shouldn't have gotten a dog. 

labcrab - thank you so much for your suggestions!   As I mentioned, I meet a lot of dog walkers and asked them for information about their services.   The two women I spoke to only do group walks but referred me to the woman I'm meeting tomorrow.

I would also ask for references.  Find out how long the person has been in the area and how many dogs are walked at once.  Also find out where the other dogs are (assuming more than one are walked together) while he/she is inside getting a dog (ie - do they all come in, are they tied outside...) and then be home the first few times and then randomly when the person comes to pick up your dog to see your dog's reaction - quivering with excitement, ambivalent, runs the other way, etc. 
 
Our walker is great, she does mid-day walks and play groups with Wesley.  Welsey loves her - and he can be very difficult.  Just today I stayed home (without warning her) to see the interaction and Wesley came bolting out of the bedroom, shaking with excitement - couldn't have cared less that I was there, just anxious to get out the door - every time I see them interact, it makes me happy.  You will see them together, trust your gut.

I had a dog walker for some time - who I found out my landlord used to use and trusted.  If you knew my landlord and her relationship to her dogs, that evaluation would equate to - she can have my checkbook, I trust her that much.
 
Anyway, I actually was home the first few times she took Gracie out - I could see she was there when she said, and walked for the amount of time she said she would.  I even took a walk with her one time so I found out one of her typical routes and how all the other dogs in the group behaved and how she managed it.  She sometimes took the dogs in certain groups to the beach - not all.  I knew from the notes she left and the times we talked that she had a handle on what was going on with each dog and how it would affect my dog and her care.  My point being - I continued to check in with her throughout the time she walked my dog.
 
As for group walkers - I know one dog walker who only took dogs into play groups, rather than WALK the dog.  So if there were no other dogs to play, then she just didn't show up to walk your dog.  What the heck?!?! 

I'm a pet sitter and all of Labcrab's suggestions I ask at my "get to know you" visit.  Also, though a few other things come to mind since you said you have a puppy.  Just to throw out a few examples, with pups I sometimes do the mid day meal, crate or uncrate, leave progress notes about any accidents or destructive messes I've found.  I generally will have them tell me what commands if they've started training they are working on and practice a few times.  It all depends, depending on how young some puppies don't want to walk for long. 
 
Also wanted to add as far as the pups reaction--If you are sleeping and pup is sleeping with you, don't be surprised if he doesn't want to budge.  I've had a few clients whose dogs would not come down if they were home.  But, when they weren't home, things were fine.  It's not necessarily an indication that the dog isn't having fun if you are there and they don't want to leave you, after all you're mom!!

I can tell you from personal experiance that it is, at times, impossible to go without working long hours. So, while you are at work yuor dog is left to their own devices. I do not think people hire dog walkers to get out of walking their dogs. They hire them b/c they whant the dog to have stimulation while they are at work. I have never met a dog that can get too many walks. I see nothing but positive coming from having your dog walked by a professional pet sitter. This not only gets them needed exercise but also gets them socailized.
Dog walkers take their jobs very seriously. I just recently opened a pet sitting /dog walk service. I also have 6 dogs. I know with my service there will be no question as to whether we we actualy walking your dog or making out with out boyfriend, b/c we leave polaroid pics with a cute message after each visit.

We have a pet sitter that comes to the house to feed,play, potty the dogs if/when we are either away on a trip or just working away from home for the day.  She was recommened by our vet.  She is the best.  I know she loves her job and loves all the animals she takes care of.  The questions labcrab are great.  Our sitter doesn't have to actually walk our guys as we have a nice sized fenced in yard so she can play with them in the yard, i.e.fetch, etc.  She usually stays with our guys for about 45-60 minutes each time she comes.  The only reason I know this is because our neighbor was telling me how she sees her and loves how she plays with the dogs so well.  []

Dasher your pet nanny reminds me of ME. LOL I have been caught rolling around on the floor playing with a puper or two. []

forpaws - I am jealous, you have my dream job!! I would love to be able to hang out with dogs all day!  I will say I love our petsitter! She is the best. I am always telling her that I would be lost without her!! One of the first times we used her we came home to find lipstick marks on top of the dogs head (Reese was our dal so the lipstick showed up on his white head).  [] Nice to know there is someone else out there giving your pets the lovin they deserve!! You provide an invaluable service in my book!! 

LOL lipstick on top of your dogs head. That is good.! I found most dogs do not like the smell or taste of lipstick, so I don't wear it any more especially since I give em a smack a roo right on their lips. [] Love doggy spit! Ha ha.
 
Thanks for the compliment. I so LOVE my job and would not trade it in for nothing in this whole wide world.
 
And speaking of which it is time for me to fly... Got some fur kids to take go play with, walk and love on. [][sm=dance.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif]Yay!!!!!!
 
Be back later!