Dog walker

Puddleduck

Im just curious to see what peoples reactions are to someone offering to walk their dog for a fee, of say 8 euro an hour, or if anyone does this could they tell me how they manage?

Annika30

It's getting quite popular with dog walkers and there's certainly a market for it. I'm not a dog walker myself but I work as a dog trainer and people often ask me if I can recommend a dog walking service. Make sure to get insurance. Is €8 for one dog or would you take more than one dogs out for the walk? If it is for one dog I think it's a good price.

cowzerp

I think it could do well, but realistically you would need more than 1 dog or else charge more!

Puddleduck

Well I know in cork that there is a market fot it, they Charge 10 euro for an hour, but they also have a car, I dont. Id literally be on my own two legs, also if I do it for 8 euro for one dog its not so expensive that people wouldnt pay it. Annika30 Im looking into going into dog training myself and I thought walking different dogs would give me some experience with different breeds.

stevoman

I used to see dog walkers in ney york get $20 an hour for it. they take multi lead leashes and walk say two one the right arm and sometimes three on the left. very easy money and as manhatten has the services with centrel park and very big sidewalks it was easy money. plus all the rich folk in the city didnt haver time in their hectic li=ves for waklking a dog

SuzyS1972

It's not easy money if you do it correctly
You def need a car - what happens if one of your charges is attacked - injured while you are out ? How will you get to the vets.
Can you afford the liability insurance.
It's hard work - I often accompany a friend of mine who's a dog walker in the UK and it's quite stressful - she only takes neutered dogs and needs to be aware of their quirks / potential agression issues etc.

Also you need to factor in the hour before the walk collecting dogs and the hour after dropping them all back.

Leads , poo bags , treats , etc etc - I don't think it's do-able on foot.

I wouldn't be happy to allow my dogs to go with you on foot incase they had an accident and you were not able to rush them to a vets.

Puddleduck

Thats fair, but the vet surgeries are near to where Id be walking and Id need to know the dogs behaviour/quirks before I took them out

kerrysgold

I advertised to do dog walking before but got no enquiries! Just as well really, I imagine it'd be quite stressful trying to handle a few dogs that might be trying to have a go at each other, I suppose if you wanted to do it you could only accept to walk dogs that were well socialised, neutered etc? but I suppose in a country area beggers can't be choosers! I suppose theres a much bigger market in city areas for people living in apartments etc.

Goffie

Puddleduck
I use a dog walker on average three times a week for my westie when I can't get home from work at lunchtime to walk him myself.

She charges €12 for an hour-long group walk. When I contacted her I invited her to the house to meet the dog, have a chat and provide me with references. She has three dogs of her own who always go on the walks.

One of the references was her vet who had been seeing her dogs for 13 years and knew her well. She's a natural with dogs and has a big station wagon with dog guard. She also does boarding in her own home and he goes on his 'holidays' there - 2 fenced acres with stream! Last time she took photos of him swimming and playing with the othe dogs and burned them on a cd for me

The first few times I used her I dropped home to check she had actually beeen and taken him, and then dropped back again to see how long he'd been out.

It's worked out great - he adores her and she's totally reliable and insured.

I have to say I would not emply a walker who didn't have a car, dog or dogs of their own, plenty of experience with dogs (eg dealing with attacks, managing a group of dogs) insurance and good solid references. After all, I'm trusting her with my beloved pet and the keys to my house, no small deal.

Just some things for you to mull over - there's a lot of reponsibility in dog walking - are you up to it?

michelleans

I'd never give my dog to anyone to walk for me, but then again I'd never trust anyone with him. Also I have a dog because I love to take care of him and it's a pleasure for me to walk him myself. (I walk him at least 4 hours a day, and alot more on weekends)

However, that market is growing and if you do it right it could be a good business. But what Goffie said seems to be the right way, you should be insured, have references, go and meet the dogs and get to know them first, etc.. It is a huge responsibility.

SuzyS1972

Puddleduck wrote: »

Thats fair, but the vet surgeries are near to where Id be walking and Id need to know the dogs behaviour/quirks before I took them out

Right could you carry a collie with a broken leg or a gsd to the surgery with 2-3 other dogs on leads ?

Not a runner in my opinion the more I think about the pit-falls