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What Makes a Professional Dog
Walker? By Jimmie White
View Video Below
Professional dog walking services, as opposed to neighbor kids or family relatives, will carry liability
and bonding insurance policies and are available on a steady part-time to full-time basis.
Dog walkers
usually work Monday through Friday and plan their visits during the late-morning to early-afternoon hours while the dog owners
are working or away for the day. Dog owners who have new puppies or older dogs rely heavily on dog walking services due to
their dogs needs to exercise or relieve themselves more often.
The importance of dog walking can range
from giving your favorite canine a mid-day potty break to teaching your fuzzy friend how to walk on a leash or giving your
bone-chewing buddy the much needed exercise that many dogs are missing in their daily routines. There is nothing more satisfying
or enjoyable than coming home to your high-energy dog relaxed and happy to see you after their brisk mid-day dog walk.
Choosing a professional dog walker can be a difficult task at first because you are trusting someone to not
only care for your pooch but also trusting them to enter and exit your home on a regular basis while you're away. Here
are a few common traits that separate the amateur from the professional dog walker.
Punctuality/Time
Consistency
Believe it or not, professional dog walkers have busy schedules and time can become
quite cramped during the afternoon so arriving everyday at 1:03 PM is not realistic but they should consistently arrive within
15-20 minutes of a scheduled walk.
Experience
Experience plays
a big part in being a professional dog walker. Knowing how to handle dogs and their interactions with other dogs and people,
especially children, is very important. You can tell a "dog person" when you meet them by how dogs react and interact
with them. Being a "dog person" helps shorten the learning curve when it comes to walking dogs for a living. Also,
dog walkers that have an animal medicine background or are familiar with pet first-aid are priceless.
Availability
This should be a "no-brainer". Dog walkers that are unable to have regular "business hours",
offer a 24-hour phone number, or accommodate scheduling changes are not professionals. These days a professional dog walker
should be available via phone, e-mail, and sms (text) and most walkers work 7 days per week.
References
The best dog walkers are the ones your neighbors tell you about. Word of mouth referrals are the best way
to find a professional dog walking service. Ask your local veterinarian, groomer, or shelter organization for a referral.
When you do get a referral ask the dog walker for some personal references that you can contact. All professional dog walkers
will have these available.
A dog walking service can be one of your most important on-going services
and these traits will help to identify a truly professional dog walker that you and your dog will love.
Simple commands such as "Come," "Sit," and "Lie down" should be taught at
three to four months of age. Your puppy will learn very quickly to come when he is called if every time he answers the call, he receives a pleasant reward such as
a piece of meat, dog candy, or a word of praise.
He will quickly learn the command "Sit" if his head
is held high and a little pressure is applied to his hindquarters. He will learn the meaning of "Lie Down" if you
press on his shoulders and pull down on his collar. When you do these things, keep telling the puppy that he is a "Good
Boy."
The young puppy should learn not to pull on the leash. Use an ordinary leather collar for this training
and tug gently on the leash until the puppy learns not to pull ahead.
When you train your dog obedience at six months, you need a chain slip collar for the big strong dog.
A chain leather one or a nylon slip collar
is needed for the small dog or the puppy.
You need a leash a foot longer than you are tall. Get one with strong leather. A round one or a
chain leash will hurt your hands.
How to Hold the Leash
Take the leash in BOTH hands. Hold your hands
close to your body and keep your left elbow straight.
Know Your Dog's Temperament
Handle the shy
dog gently. Gain his confidence through encouragement and praise. Pep up the lazy worker. Move quickly yourself and your dog
will move quickly. If your dog is a clown, speak more sharply and correct with firmness. If he is stubborn, make each correction
more severe.
While training, keep your dog's attention. When he looks away, nudge him with your knee. When
he sniffs the ground, give the leash a tug. For all corrections, snap the leash! Never drag on it.
For best results,
praise your dog when you give him a command. Praise him when you use the leash.
Heeling
Heeling means
to walk at your side without pulling. Every time your dog passes your knee, say "Heel," jerk the leash backward,
and pat your side to encourage him to stay close.
If he passes your knee a second time, stand still and jerk the
leash harder!
If your dog holds back instead, don't jerk the leash. Pull on it gently and keep saying "Good
Boy! Good Boy!" After he takes a few steps, slacken the leash and pat your side.
While training, stand up
straight and don't slow up when you turn!
Don't let your dog play with the leash. Don't let him climb
on you.
Before long your dog will understand that if he runs ahead or darts off to the side, he will hear the word
"Heel!" and feel a sharp tug on his collar. If he stays close to your knee, praise him and pat him.
Sitting
To make your dog sit, shorten the leash in your right hand and pull up. Say "Sit!" and push on his hindquarters
with your left hand. Dogs like to be praised, so while you make him sit, tell him he is a good boy.
If he braces
himself, spank him once on his rear and tell him more firmly "SIT!" Now pat him with the same hand you spanked him
with so he will think you spanked him in play. At the same time, push his hips over. Make him sit straight!!
In
time and with patience, your dog will become accustomed to all of these commands, and will obey.
