How to Choose a Dog Walker

By Erin Taylor and Diane Weinmann

You’re a busy professional, perhaps overseeing a young family.

You’re juggling more balls than you care to count.

Getting a little help can make a big difference, and these days many dog owners turn to dog walkers to take a daily task off their plates.

But in light of the recent tragedy involving the death of six dogs left in a too-warm car by their dog walker, you may be questioning this decision.

Does my dog walker know what he or she is doing?

How do I choose who to trust with my four-legged family member?

Professional dog walking has grown rapidly over the last ten years, and more and more dog lovers enter the field every day. What most dog owners don’t realize is that, because walking is a young business, there is currently no regulating body to dictate the standards of care or qualifications for the work. In short, anyone can call themselves a dog walker, with nothing but a love of dogs to qualify their resume.

But walking dogs, particularly in groups, takes more than the passion we all share for them.

There are specialized knowledge and skill sets, as well as ethical business practices that are necessary to ensure the safety of the dogs in a walker’s care, as well as the safety and enjoyment of other dogs and humans who share the trails, parks, and sidewalks.

Here are some questions to ask of anyone you’re considering hiring to walk your dog:

1. Are you trained in canine learning theory, body language, and pack management? You want anyone caring for your dog to know how to: a) use scientifically sound, humane training methods; b) read body language and take appropriate steps to prevent fights (and properly break them up when need be); c) judge which dogs to place together for maximum compatibility; and d) handle issues like quarrels over toys, space, or play styles. In short, your walker should have the professional knowledge and skills to keep the group together and under control while everyone has a great time. Of course, a love of dogs is imperative – but not enough on its own.

How many dogs do you walk at once? Some cities, counties, and park districts now regulate the number of dogs a walker can take out together. But most do not. This means some walkers escort six or eight dogs, while others walk as many as 15 and even 20 together in public spaces. Whether on or off leash, each dog added to a group increases the potential for conflict, injury, lost dogs, and distraction – not to mention making individual attention nigh impossible.

Do you walk alone? A walker’s job is to keep the dogs in his or her care safe and show them a good time. This means keeping vigilant focus. Teaming up with a friend can be fun, but it inevitably reduces attention. If that friend is also a dog walker, going out together combines two sets of dogs, making the pack too large for maximum safety. For best results, your walker should hit the trail with dogs, not other people. For similar reasons, cell phones and other potentially distracting devices should be turned off during dog walks.

Do you do the walking? Most dog walking companies are very small – the sole proprietor is the sole walker. Some have multiple employees, however. If you’re considering a larger company, it’s important to know how employees are chosen and trained.

What size dogs do you walk together? Small dogs should be grouped with other small dogs, and the same for big ones. It’s too easy for small dogs to be injured while playing with and among their larger peers. And the risk of predatory drift, in which one dog attacks and even kills another, is much higher than is generally realized. This tragedy can – and most commonly does – happen between dogs who know each other and generally get along well, sometimes for years. It’s safest to stick to the 50 percent rule: if your dog weighs 30 pounds, his playmates should weigh no more than 60 pounds.

How much time do you guarantee on the walk? If the walking service you’re considering involves car transport, make sure the time quoted is time out of the vehicle, roaming and having fun. The car ride shouldn’t be included.

What kind of training methods and equipment do you use? The American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recommend only positive-reinforcement based training. Your walker should know how to keep a group of dogs under control and safe without the use of choke, prong, and shock collars; citronella or water spray; hitting, shoving, or yelling. The dogs are supposed to have a good time out there. We don’t allow teachers or camp counselors to spank our children. A professional walker shouldn’t need to resort to such measures, either.

Are you licensed, insured, and bonded? Any walker using the word “professional” should carry dog-walking insurance and have a business license. And any employees should be bonded as added protection for you and your home.

Do you have a professional service contract and references? You should be asked to sign a contract to help avoid later conflicts and clarify the walkers’ responsibilities as well as yours as a dog owner.

Are you certified to provide canine first aid, and what are your emergency protocols? What will your walker do if a dog is injured in her care? If your dog is part of a group, what will she do with the rest of the dogs if one member of the group is hurt and requires her full attention? What about if her vehicle breaks down, if a dog is lost, or if a natural disaster occurs? Your walker should always carry emergency information and know the fastest route to the emergency veterinary clinic. Unfortunately, many dog walkers don’t think about these things until they occur; make sure yours has a clear plan.

What kind of vehicle do you use to transport dogs? A walker should never leave dogs unattended in a vehicle, for any reason. And any walker with first aid certification would understand the implications of doing so on a warm day. But should an emergency happen, you want to know that your dog is being transported in a vehicle with maximum airflow. You also want to know the vehicle is well maintained to reduce chances of a breakdown. And ideally the dogs are separated within the vehicle as much as possible for maximum comfort and to reduce chances of conflict during transport.

There is currently an explosion of dog walkers and dog-walking companies, as more busy professionals and families turn to their services for relief from the guilt of a long day at work, and the incredible convenience of coming home to a calm, well- exercised dog.

If that’s you, choose your walker wisely and enjoy the benefits and a big dose of peace of mind.

Your dog walker should make your dog’s day a blast and your day easier, not add worry.

Recommendation by Diane Weinmann 

I personally would recommend JoyCares Personalized Pet Service for your dog walking needs in the great Cleveland area and surrounding suburbs. They are wonderful, conscientious people who love animals and have years of experience. I currently work for them in their special needs area of the business and not dog walking. You wouldn’t want me- I have arthritis in my knees. Before I considered working for them I heard about them on a bus trip I was taking. I overheard someone asking about who they get to watch over their pets and walk them and the JoyCares name was mentioned. The person talking was thrilled with their service. I looked them up and found they have won many awards for their services. They certainly are my choice—try them out and see what you think! I would love to know about your experience. See their website at www.Joycares.com or call 216-281-8701 to obtain more information. You won’t be sorry you did!

ABOUT ERIN TAYLOR

Erin Taylor qualified as a dog trainer in South Africa in 2004. Wanting to expand her experience working with positive reinforcement with dogs she moved to Canada in 2007 to do so. For a numbers of years, Erin owned and operated a successful dog walking business. During that time she connected with dog*tec and became an instructor for their Dog Walking Academy in 2013. In 2015, Erin become a Dogsafe Canine First Aid Authorized Instructor. She has a passion for raising her dogs as naturally, holistically and positively as possible, and loves being in a career where she can help people and their dogs develop strong bonds and relationships, positively!