Tips To Find A Great Dog Walker

Selection of a good dog walker is more than just finding one who can hold one end of the lease and make a good impression. You could find one looking around in dog parks, bulletin boards in vet’s offices and pet supply stores. You could also get references and actually talk to a couple of them. All said and done the main focus should be on finding someone who takes good care of your dog.

Some tips to follow when choosing a dog walker:

 
a) The first tip is that the dog and the dog walker should like each other; the walker should be warm and inviting and have affection towards dogs in their care. The dog should be happy to interact with the walker, with the walker also having obvious enjoyment in his personality. If the dog is shy or slow to warm up, the walker’s personality should be amicable to not push him, but allow him to slowly get used to him.

b) All dog walkers are not trainers just because they have experience in walking dogs and in their behavior. They need to know much more to qualify themselves as trainers; knowledge about animal learning, canine behavior and scientifically sound methods of behavior change are some of them. Ask for the qualification if a dog walker poses to be a trainer.

c) It is also important to ask a pet walker if they have training in first aid and if he/she can handle health and other emergencies. Then share your vet’s contact information with him/her and also inform your vet about the walker’s.

d) It is necessary to look for a walker that takes direction from the owner and not use his own judgment; if running down the stairs is bothersome for the dog it should not be done because the walker is running late for an appointment. Even a qualified dog trainer who’s walking your dog shouldn’t be conducting behavior modification on her own initiative. Her/his job is to show your dog a good time and keep her out of trouble.

e) Next it is never a good idea going in for a dog walker who handles a lot of dogs at one time; the body language of the dogs like their walking apart from each other suggests that they are socially uncomfortable together. Dogs are social animals, but it does not follow that all dogs handled by the same dog walker are comfortable with each. Handling too many dogs is not advisable unless the dogs are already good friends and their owners agree. It is also not advisable for a dog walker to handle more than 6 dogs as no human has enough eyeballs and legs to supervise many animals.

f) Lastly it is best to pay your dog walker and go along for a walk with him to make sure if you and your dog are comfortable with the walker; you would have a chance to observe his behavior and judge for yourself. Take care to choose a dog walker who engages with your dog, lets him enjoy sniffing and poking around, and encourages desirable behavior rather than coercing him.