How to choose the right dog walking company for you and your dog

31st October 2016

Following on from the recent article about choosing the right dog boarding company, here at Petpals, we’ve put together some advice to help you choose the right dog walking company for both you and most importantly, your dog!

Obviously, as one of the largest dog walking companies in the UK who look after approximately hundreds of dogs a day from the top of the country to the bottom, we’d love you to come to us, but we also understand you may prefer to use someone who lives next door or around the corner.  For that reason, we’ve jotted down this list of questions you might like to ask when looking for a dog walker, to help you make the right decision for your pet and avoid any stress for either of you.

Research

Firstly, do your research. If they have one, go to their website, see what social media accounts they have, eg Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, visit them and have a good read. Look out for testimonials and generally get a feel for the company.

Now here’s a list of questions for your visit (and our advice on why you need to ask them!)

Question: Do you offer a free consultation and a free trial walk to see how my dog reacts around the other dogs you walk?

• Petpals Advice: Different dogs have different needs. Old dogs need quieter walks. Puppies need lead walks. Timid dogs may not enjoy big rowdy walks. You need to let them know what your dog is like and find out how happy he/she would be on one of their regular walks. A trial walk can help with this, which is why we offer them at Petpals.

Question: Are all your staff DBS checked? (Previously known as CRB)

• Petpals Advice: Remember that the company and walker will hold keys to your house so it is vital they are trustworthy. Check that keys cannot be identified to your property and are kept in a locked key safe overnight. If they were unfortunately broken into and a bunch of house keys, each with house addresses on it were stolen, you’d be less than happy! Key safes are a must.

Question: How will you transport my dog?

• Petpals Advice: The rules are that dog walkers should have a vehicle, (usually a van) that is safe to carry dogs, separately, in their own cages. The only exceptions should be if two dogs who are well socialised together or come from the same household and are small enough to comfortably share a cage. It is always a good idea to ask to look inside the vehicle. Private cars, rather than vans are sometimes used and these should be equipped with dog guards for the rear compartment, or a suitable crate. Dogs should not be carried loose in the back of a van.
  

Question: Where will you take my dog for a walk and how long will it be for?

• Petpals Advice: Beware…. ‘They’re out for an hour’ or ‘I charge £xx an hour’, could mean they get picked up, driven to collect others on the round, walked and are back in the house after an hour.  Make sure it is an hour of proper stimulating walking time, not 30 mins travelling and 30 mins walking.
  

Question: How many dogs do you walk at once?

• Petpals Advice: Most insurance companies will put a limit of 6, but it will depend upon the location, the mix of dogs being walked together, the means of transport, and the experience/confidence of the walker.

Question: I don’t want my dog let off the lead, is this ok?

• Petpals Advice: It is important to let your dog walker know this and vital they stick to it. Make sure they agree to ‘lead’ walking and equally, if you say your dog is fine off the lead and can be easily recalled, make sure he/she really is!

Question: Do you have cover for sickness and holidays?

• Petpals Advice: This is of course crucial for most Petpals clients who are out at work all day and need to be confident that their dog will be walked 5 days a week. Needless to say as a national company we have plenty of staff available to help. Make sure your local walker has the same cover if daily walks/checks are essential to you.

Good luck and, if all else fails, pop back and click here to find your local Petpals and if there isn’t one, how about starting up your own Petpals business? Find out more here.

ENDS                                                                                                                                                                               October 2016