When trying to choose between dog walking companies, you need someone you can trust and your dog wants some fun. But you might not know what to look in a walker. Here are a few things to consider before you hand over the leash.
- Their Compatibility
You know your dog better than anyone else, and you can probably tell when they do not like someone. Your dog may take a while to warm up to their new walker, but watch out for any clues that it could not work. The dog walker, too, might not like the size of your dog or their personality, so don’t let anything slip by.
- How well the walker listens to you
If your dog has health concerns or is afraid of other animals or kids, you need your dog walker to follow your guidelines. The walker shouldn’t try to change your dog’s behaviour, unless you ask them to. A test walk with your dog walker will show you whether you can trust them, as we mention later. If you want your walker to train your dog, keep the next point in mind, too.
- Whether the walker claims they can train your dog
Don’t go by their word alone if your dog walker says they’re a trainer–ask them for certifications. Someone who has spent years around dogs will not necessarily have the knowledge needed.
- If they walk dogs in a group
A multiple-dog walk may sound like a good way to help your dog to get social interaction, but this is actually risky. A pack walk will work best if the dogs are friends with each other ahead of time and if the walker knows their limits. Be cautious if someone takes more than 3 dogs on their own at once.
- How the walker will react in an emergency
If you have specific or general concerns about your dog having a health emergency, ask potential walkers what they would do. Dog first aid training helps.
- What the dog walker does on a test walk
Pay your potential dog walker to come out with you and your dog on a walk. You’ll only see them on their best behaviour, but you’ll find that people have different ways of handling situations–which you will want to know ahead of time.
We hope this list will help you to find the dog walker you need. And if you’re looking for something different in Squamish BC, contact us at FurFriend Adventures to get your dog taken on some great hikes in the area.
