Hiring a Dog Walker

To many people, a dog isn’t just a pet but a solid member of the family. The same seriousness you would employ when looking for a nanny to care for your kids is the same seriousness you should consider when looking for a dog walker.

The fact that you will be letting a stranger into your dog’s life can be filled with lots of uncertainty. But to increase your chances of finding a worthwhile dog walker, here are 10 questions to ask before hiring them.

  1. Do You Have Insurance?

To make sure that your dog and your property stays protected, insurance is a must-have. Should the dog get hurt or your property get destroyed due to negligence on the dog walkers’ part, you can bank on their insurance to compensate you.

  1. Will You Be Constantly Available?

Dogs just like humans tend to get attached. It is important for the person you want to hire to be constantly available every day to walk the dog.

  1. Do You Have Any Training On Pets?

Should your dog suffer injury from an attack from another dog or from a snake bite, your trainer should have some canine medical training to help offer first aid. He or she should also be well versed in dog behavior.

  1. How Many Dogs Can You Walk At The Same Time?

If you have more than one dog, it is important to ask the interviewee whether they are capable of walking several dogs simultaneously. It can help you keep hiring costs low.

  1. Have You Handled Dogs With Special Needs Before?

Walking a blind dog, for example, is quite different from walking a dog that can see properly. You want to be assured that if your dog has any special needs, the dog walker is able to take all his needs into account and deliver services satisfactorily.

  1. What Steps Do You Follow During Pick-Up And Drop-Off?

In most cases, it is the dog owner who decides when the dog gets picked up and when they are dropped off. However, it is imperative to hear what steps the potential dog walker follows just to see if they have a better plan or if they are willing to adopt your plan.

  1. Do You Have Other People You Are Working For?

To ensure that your dog receives utmost attention throughout his/her 30 to 60-minute walk, it is important to go for that dog walker who isn’t preoccupied with other dogs.

  1. How Good Are You At Handling Behavioral Issues?

Irrespective of how well your dog is trained, they are bound to misbehave a couple of times. Should they cause trouble or raise tantrums, you need to be confident that the right dog walker is able to diffuse the situation wisely without hurting or scaring the dog.

  1. How Long Have You Worked As A Dog Walker?

While training is important, there are lessons that only come through experience. The longer the prospective dog walker has had this job, the more likely they are to handle anything that comes their way.

  1. Do You Mind If We Take A Test Walk?

Remember, you may be the one conducting the interview but it is the dog that should get the last word. Take a test walk and see how well your dog likes walking with a new person. Study your dogs’ behavior and attitude. Then choose to hire or dismiss the person based on what you see.

Above is a list of serious questions that can help you settle on the right person. Be sure to stay up to date with your dog trainer and dog walker. This way, you know that your dog is getting enough exercise and that your dog walker is comfortable.