When you own a dog one of the biggest time commitments, aside from love and cuddles, is making sure that your dog gets enough exercise each day. It can be challenging with all the other commitments you have, to make sure they get enough walks throughout the day. This is where a Daily Dog Walker can be an absolute blessing and really help on those days where you have other things that need to get done. Whether that is work, taking the kids to events or doing the shopping.
We know when you start looking for A Dog Walker you are going to have lots of questions, after all, you are entrusting this person with your dog.
So here is a list of our most frequently asked questions when it comes to hiring a Dog Walker.
Hiring A Professional Daily Dog Walker: Your Questions Answered
Where Do I Find a Daily Dog Walker?
There are lots of people advertising their services as a Dog Walker all over the place.
Essentially there are 2 types of Dog Walkers.
#1. A Hobby Dog Walker. Someone who does a bit of Dog Walking in their spare time for cash to make a bit of extra money. It’s unlikely they are insured and they may not be available full time. Typically, they will advertise on Directory Sites and places like Gumtree. They might have a Facebook Page, but it’s unlikely they have a website.
#2. A Professional Dog Walker. This is a company that is registered as a business, has a website, is insured and operates 24/7, 365 days a year. They will have a booking system to store your bookings, offer different types of payment options, be reliable and always have a backup in place – along with things like GPS Tracking to give you peace of mind visits have been completed. You will find these listed on Google – just type in Dog Walker.
How Long Can a Dog Walker Walk My Dog?
Your Dog Walker will walk your dog for the length you request. You might want a quick 20 walk each day while you are at work or you perhaps need something a little bit longer – 45 minutes or 60 minutes.
Of course, you can vary this each day, so one day have a 20-minute walk and the next day have a 60-minute walk. Or maybe you need 2 walks a day. You know your dog and their needs best.
How Can I Trust a Dog Walker?
When you hire the services of a Dog Walker it’s important that you are comfortable with the person that you are letting into your home. If you have chosen to opt for the Hobby Dog Walker, then you should ask for references and find out more about the services they offer and how long they have been operating.
Section 5 of our Ebook will help you with questions to ask during this process.
If you are using a Professional Service Provider, then the video below will help you understand the processes that should be in place to build trust with your Dog Walker.
For example, are they insured, do they have a back-up plan, do they offer GPS arrival and departure times and who checks that the visits are complete each day.
What If It’s Raining – Will A Dog Walker Still Walk My Dog?
If you normally walk your dog in the rain, then you should let your Dog Walker know that. We walk dogs in the rain as we find most dogs love it. However, we do ask that clients leave a towel for us so that we can dry your dog off after the walk.
If you don’t want your dog walked in the rain, then let your Dog Walker know and they can take them for a quick toilet break and spend the rest of the time playing.
My Dog Doesn’t Like Strangers – How Will the Dog Walker Walk Them?
In our experience, once your dog realises that the Dog Walker is there to take them for a walk they quickly become excited to see them each day.
It’s understandable that a dog might be a little apprehensive at first, but it’s rare that a dog won’t want to get out for a walk and some fun.
If you dog really doesn’t take to the Dog Walker, then ask the company if they can send you a different walker until you find a good match.
How Do I Know You the Dog Walker Walked My Dog?
A Professional Dog Walking company will have the technology to track their arrival and departure times so that you can be confident that walks are being completed on time and for the correct length of time.
Total transparency is extremely important when it comes to building a relationship with your Dog Walking company.
Will You Let My Dog Off the Lead?
Off lead walks are available in Ireland and many Dog Walker will offer this service. Most places in Ireland, however, are not off lead friendly and so this would be at the owner’s risk.
Once your dog is off the lead then your Dog Walker does not have 100% control over the dog and so our advice for the safety of your dog is to have them kept on a lead at all times.
How Much Does a Daily Dog Walker Cost?
Dog Walks vary in price depending on the service provider. You may find Hobby Dog Walkers offering walks for as little as 5 euro.
A Professional Dog Walker will, however, charge a professional rate of around 12-30 euro depending on the length and frequency of walk.
How Can Pet Sitter Ireland Help with Your Daily Dog Walking Needs?
One of our most popular services is our Quick Break Programme for dogs. This is a 20-minute dog walk each day while you are at work. It’s not intended to be your dog’s main walk of the day, but it does break up the day for them and get them out to the toilet and for some fresh air.
