No matter how much you love your dog, there may be times when you are unable to take them on the adventures they deserve. That’s when getting a dog walker is helpful! However, if you don’t know what to look for, it might be difficult to discover the proper dog walker. Here are 7 suggestions for picking your dog’s ideal walker.
1) Be Specific About the Conditions
Those wanting to employ a dog walker or pet sitter frequently know exactly what they want. Make sure to be clear upfront if you only want your pet cared for when you’re away from home or if you require someone to feed your dog twice daily while you’re at work. Later on, it will clear up any confusion.
2) Think About the Experience
Consider the duration of a dog walker’s operation when hiring one. New or inexperienced dog walkers might not be as familiar with your community as seasoned professionals. In order to find out how long they have been in business, visit their website. Hiring a novice might be problematic, particularly if your dog is nervous around strangers.
3) Trust Your Gut Feelings
Your instincts should be your first guide when selecting a dog walker. Do you feel entirely at ease around them? Do they fully address your inquiries, or do they come across as irritated and uninterested? Being particular is quite acceptable, especially if someone else is taking care of your cherished pet. You’ll be more likely to choose well for both you and your animal pet if you follow your gut.
4. Request References
Ask your friends for recommendations when picking a dog walker. Your friends and neighbors might know other dog owners who have previously used pet sitters or dog walkers. This might assist you to determine whether a particular dog walker is capable of meeting your needs. If they have any recommendations, you can also get in touch with other businesses like vets and pet groomers.
Check Your References.
A list of previous clients and recommendations from them should be available from reputable dog walkers. You get a sense of how your dog will be handled, make sure to request to talk with at least one past customer. It won’t be a good indicator for your dog if the dog is left outside in inclement weather or if its walker is rough with the animal.
6) Consider Prices
The prevailing fee for dog walking varies significantly from city to city, but you should plan to spend anywhere between $15 and $25 for a half-hour stroll (or just $8 if you hire a dog sitter or doggy daycare instead). You can get recommendations from your friends and neighbors. Avoid being conned into paying more than necessary. Remember that in most cities there will be some regions where the cost of living is higher than normal, so be aware of your surroundings.
7) Arrange for meet-and-greets
Instead of relying solely on a few Facebook photographs and a brief bio, get to meet your potential dog-walking prospects in person. You can inquire about things like your experience with dogs when you speak face to face. What kind of education or credentials do you possess? Do you use things that I would need to buy on my own or do you own your own equipment? Do my pet’s behavioral concerns have the potential to make things more difficult? Making sure your candidate feels at ease around your anxious dog—and vice versa—is especially crucial if you have a nervous dog. Make sure your candidate is capable of handling winter weather conditions if you reside in a location where it gets chilly at certain times of the year. Make sure they are also ready for the summer heat if you reside in a region where it gets hot at specific periods of the year.
