Would you use a dog walker that...

I'd rather have a Cesar freak walking my dogs than someone who will let them get away with murder and misbehaving.

never would I let this person within ten feet of my dogs. I see people frog-marching dogs on "cesar power walks" and it's not pretty. The dogs are miserable and getting nothing out of the walk except a lesson in how humans are crazy and able and willing to deliver pain. I walk dogs to meet their needs, which a "cesar power walk" does not. The entire point of a "cesar power walk" is to destroy the dog's spirit and mind so he is too crushed to do anything for the rest of the day.

KarissaKS

I'd rather have a Cesar freak walking my dogs than someone who will let them get away with murder and misbehaving.

Why not get references and talk to some of her other clients before being so judgemental?

Agreed. 

 Besides, I have horror stories about a dog walker I used to use.  I'd take a CM fanatic (at least they demonstrate interest and knowledge of dog behavior) any day over this woman I used who who was spotted by my neighbor flinging my dog in the air by her leash, and I also suspect she threw my dog down the stairs at least once .  I would ask her specific questions and talk to references before jumping to conclusions.

I would probably speak with them first before jumping to conclusions.  

That said, I wouldn't let anyone else walk my dogs anyway. I have had people come let my dogs out into my fenced yard to potty (and then let them back in) but I'd not let anyone take them out and about.

There is a difference between CM's "Power Walk" and CM's "Power of the Walk". If the walker was suggesting he uses the Power Walk, you can expect your dog to be walked on a very short leash at an very fast clip. No sniffing, no exploring etc. If he is referring to the Power of the Walk then IMO it is more about general benefits, expectations, bonding, establishing rules/boundaries etc that come from the activity. I have seen CM do a Power Walk and have occasionally done it myself as a training exercise. But that is not how CM walks all dogs all the time from what I've seen. It is a specific technique for a specific goal. So I would not rule the guy out automatically. I would however get clarification.   

But wait....don't folks who use dog walkers use them for 1) to break up the boredom of the dogs day, 2) to allow the dog to toilet?

Since our living situation has changed and our dogs HAVE to be walked, I've had to show both DS and DH HOW I want them walked.  And this is important to me because I have a routine with them and if that isn't followed, well, then I have to reassert MY rules when I walk them again.  With me, the dogs know that when Mom says "go potty" it's time to go, and then we get some glorious fun time.  We don't play, we don't run off lead, we don't toss the ball until AFTER business is taken care of.  Then we have fun.  "Work" first, play second.  If we play FIRST, I could end up outside all day trying to convince them that it's time to settle down and do what they've gotta do so the next dog can come out.

If I expect family to go with the flow, I surely am going to expect someone I'm paying MONEY to do what I want done.

I would not hire somebody who displayed quotes on their website for which I very much disagreed. You do not know what that person will or will not do when you are not around (which goes for anybody). It wouldn't be in my interests to do so.

 I don't use dog walkers (I can get day care through my trainer for LESS than a dog walker charges, and she'll get hide and seek time, fetch time, play time and be around people for the day), but I would interview anyone first.  I've found dog walkers/trainers around here have lousy websites (not all but in general)...so I don't judge based upon the content of the site, unless something threw up major red flags.  I would interview them and get clarification fo their methods etc.  However, if something did bother me about them, but everything else looked great - I still would not use them.  Anyone, interacting with my dogs needs to be on the same page as myself and my significant other.  I need to agree to ALL of their methods and philosophies. 

I don't use dog walkers either but I have to say if I did, I would only want them to walk my dog, give them exercise and let the go to the bathroom that's it.  I don't want some idiot who watches ANY TV show to tell me they know what there doing and trying to train my dogs. Someone who quotes any trainer thinks you would repect that, not me because I am not hiring a trainer, just a dog walker.  So anyone I would hire would be for a specific amount of time and walking/potting and bring them home-I would choose a teenager looking for extra cash before I hired someone who quoted things they probably know nothing about.  You don't need to train my dogs and on leash, they know how to walk on a leash so just walk them, that would be their only job.

BEVOLASVEGAS

stormyknight

specifically quotes "Power of The Walk" from Cesar Milan on their website? Figuring that they are only coming to walk your dog for 20-30 minutes or so, would you still consider them as a potential candidate if the rest of their services looked good? Or would you feel that too much could go wrong in that 20-30 minutes?

No, I wouldn't use them.  I don't agree with their ideology, & I wouldn't be comfortable turning the leash over to someone who I did not share similar training beliefs with.  I would worry the entire time that my dogs were out with the dog walker, & quite frankly, it's not worth the worry to me, or the possible stress to my dogs.

Agreed.  I'd be just as worried about what happens in the first five seconds, as in the whole 20-30 minutes. The last thing you want is some wannabe trainer scaring the crap out of your dogs on their daily walks.  I would find a truly positive trainer in the area and ask who they recommend.  Trainers generally have a few they know really well, and they try to refer their clients to people who share their values.  And, be sure, no matter who walks your dogs, to specify the equipment you will and won't allow them to use. 

 To be fair, just because someone quotes CM on their website doesn't mean that they're a die-hard, CM-only-following rabid fan. I think you would be able to figure out within a 5 minute conversation exactly what their training philosophies are, and whether or not their outlook would be a good match for your own. Much better indicator than what they put on a website. Another matter of great importance to me would be *which* quotes were used, and what they said!

But, if I'm using a dog walker, why do I CARE what their training philosophies are?  I'm paying them to WALK my dog, not train it.  So what is the point of putting something like that in your website, especially that you'll remind dogs of their manners?  Oh, no you won't!  Not with MY dogs.

You are right, Glenda.  It's not the walkers place.  I think this trainers website is probably giving off a wrong impression.  Maybe, she just liked a particular saying and was trying to decorate the site with it??  I know some walkers who do say they will go over basic commands and stuff like that.  But, that's normally stuff they are already working on and at the owners request.   

When I was pet sitting and dog walking (which at one time I did this full time).  I did a meet and greet type thing where I went to the house and met everyone.  They showed me around the areas of the house I would need to be in, where things like leashes, treats, etc were kept. 

I walked the dogs on whatever they would normally be walked on, in the manner they were normally walked--which was usually just a normal stroll type walk.

I usually asked if they had a favorite route that they liked to go on.  I always wanted to know if they normally pooped on a walk.  I always asked where they wanted me to dispose of the poop because a lot of people don't like it in with the regular trash and keep it separate.  I always asked if they got cookies after the walk or whatever treat it was they get and how many, and I'd give that. 

I always left a short note--from the dog-saying how the walk went and if they pooped or what. 

As far as training, I didn't do anything like that at all.  About the only thing I'd do is if the dog usually sat for a treat I'd ask them to. But, it wasn't like if they didn't, they wouldn't get the treat. 

I didn't expect them to do anything unless the owners specifically said for me to do it. But, it never got anywhere near deep enough to involve "methods".  It was usually stuff like, make them sit for a treat or to put to collar on. 

There was one client who had two Belgian Turverens (sp).  They were wonderful dogs and pretty well trained.  Except, on leash, they were just awful.  I had to call her and we decided that it would be better just for me to play with the Chuck-It in the yard when I visited them.  They were just way too strong for me and not in control.  But, at no time did I think it was my place to try to fix that.  I just handled it with the owner so that I kept myself and them safe.

If you look at the NAPPS website you might be able to find some one in your area with a site you are more comfortable with to help you right off. 

 Nope.  Seeing that would turn me off big time.

I'm paying the person to safely walk the dog, not do a "refresher on basic commands" and not to play trainer during the dog walking sessions.

pudel

KarissaKS

I'd rather have a Cesar freak walking my dogs than someone who will let them get away with murder and misbehaving.

Why not get references and talk to some of her other clients before being so judgemental?

 

Agreed. 

 Besides, I have horror stories about a dog walker I used to use.  I'd take a CM fanatic (at least they demonstrate interest and knowledge of dog behavior) any day over this woman I used who who was spotted by my neighbor flinging my dog in the air by her leash, and I also suspect she threw my dog down the stairs at least once .  I would ask her specific questions and talk to references before jumping to conclusions.

Oh no! Not the Fanatical Cesar Freaks! lol

Yep. I would much prefer someone who uses Cesar's principles during the walk than someone who doesn't. As long as the walker knows what they are doing and is not just quoting Cesarisms. I also feel a dog will be much safer in their care when encountering loose dogs or in emergency situations.

I agree in asking questions and getting references regarding anyone who comes in contact with your dog, especially when they will be handling your dog out of your sight. If the walker has a calm helper dog you can observe while in the presense of other dogs, there is proof in the puddin' in that dog's behavior. I would not hire a walker who had a "reactive" dog.

Caution in this area also goes for dog trainers, groomers, sitters, day care providers, kennel workers, vets and their staff who may be handling your dog when you are not present.

We all bring who we are to the table. The personality, demeanor, character, and energy of the person you hire counts just as much (if not more) than whatever philosophy is being "pitched".

Angelique

If the walker has a calm helper dog you can observe while in the presense of other dogs, there is proof in the puddin' in that dog's behavior. I would not hire a walker who had a "reactive" dog.

I guess you would not be hiring me then ....even though I had no control over how Apollo was treated by his previous owner and he CAME to me reactive right off the bat. Since then, yup, we've worked through it and he's fine. And, btw, I have stellar, rock solid referances and excellent clients.