In this article we will explore the role of a Dog Walker. In the simplest of terms a Dog walkers are people who are hired to take dogs for walks.
Dog Walkers are also sometimes referred to as Pet Sitters, the two words are often used interchangeably.
It is the responsibility of a dog walker to head to a client’s home and take out their dogs for their required daily exercise.
This is a great job that is suitable for individuals that want to have flexible workdays, love canines and are able to work without any supervision.
Duties of a Dog Walker
The responsibility of a dog walker typically requires being able to handle the duties below:
- Offer exercise to dogs owned by clients. These exercises are ones that usually last anything from 30 minutes to an hour
- Picking up and getting rid of any droppings the dog might eliminate while on the walk
- Check to ensure that the dog’s water and food supply are adequate enough to sustain the dog once back from the walks
- Ensure that owners are notified if their dogs become injured or sick under your supervision.
- It is also necessary to seek veterinary attention in case of the above happening
These are just some of the duties a dog walker is expected to carry out.
Responsibilities
One of the important things to note is that dog walkers bear the responsibility for the dog’s safety while they are being walked.
This is why it is essential for dog walkers to give their client a document that fully lists the contact information of the vet, the owner, and any other important pieces of information concerning the dog like breed, age, weight, current medications and medical conditions.
As a dog walker, it is possible for you to work alone, however, there are others that tend to hire the services of extra dog walkers in a bid to grow their dog walking business.
This enables them to serve a larger number of owners, potentially expanding their current service coverage. It has been known for dog walkers to offer supplementary related services like grooming and pet sitting.
Dog Walking Training
When it comes to the certification, training and education required of a dog walker, there are many online animal courses which are useful to have on your CV.
To become a dog walker/pet sitter there are no specific formal qualification required to enter the industry.
It is very advantageous to have professional training such as animal welfare, dog training, animal first aid or animal care. This will help you place yourself at the forefront of the industry and show potential clients that you are serious about the work that you do.
Previous Experience
An advantage that any dog walker would like to have is prior experience walking dogs. This is because dog owners tend to be more at ease leaving their dogs with individuals that have prior experience and a good reputation. You don’t have to get a formal education to be a dog walker. You do have to have a good reputation and be trusted by your client, especially working alongside dogs to be a dog walker. You have to be extremely familiar with the typical behaviour of a dog, first aid and basic care. That when taking an online courses would help to give your clients that peace of mind.
For you to be an avid dog walker, you have to always treat every dog you walk in a manner that is compassionate.
You should also show respect, kindness and care. You should also have great customer skills, which will be very useful in dealing with dog owners ensuring that they are satisfied enough to become repeat customers.
You also have to be patient at all times, especially when you are working with dogs, as it would take a bit of time before you become familiar with one another.
