Truth is, if I had £1 for every time someone said to me " You have the best job in the world", or "I'd love to play with dog's all day" or "I'd love to have your job", I'd be a billionaire! Yes, compared to a lot of jobs, being a dog walker and carer is amazing and so rewarding and I would never go back to my retail job, I love being a dog walker and carer, but like with every job out there, it has a side no one else sees.
Having a dog walker is a popular alternative to kennels, or a day care centre while you're busy at work or away for most of the day. It's less stressful for both you and your dog as you don't have to organise transport to and from the kennel or day care and you don't need to worry if your dog is actually happy in the kennel or day care.
Some walkers only do group walks, with most insurances allowing a maximum of 6 dogs to be walked at any one time, some insurances only allow a maximum of 2. My insurance with Protectivity allows me to walk a maximum of 6 dogs at any one time, however, for the safety of my dogs and myself, I choose to only walk solo dogs or a maximum of 2 from the same household. I've had nightmares about walking 6 dogs and one running off, what do I do with 5 other dogs in tow? One dog legging it, one dog refusing to budge because it can't be arsed and the other 4 going bonkers wondering where their friend has gone! So, no thank you, I'll stick to one or two, thanks!
As well as insurance, I'm DBS checked and have my Canine First Aid qualification, so you know you can trust me and, if needed, I can care for your dog if an injury occurs. Since lockdown, I've seen a spike in dog walkers popping up in the area and I do worry that these may not be insured, trained or even have any experience on dogs and dog handling. I know some saw it as an easy job to do - and that scares me!
I've had many, many enquiries and the first thing people ask is "How much do you charge?" I can guarantee that this person will not become a client of mine as they're looking for a dog walker based on price and not experience and professionalism, and yes, as soon as I tell them my prices, I don't see them for dust or I get a rude comment about me being expensive. I've even had some that have replied with "Shit, you're only walking a dog" or "You charge £10 for playing with a dog?!". I just smile.
So, what is a typical day like...
Before I head out of the door, I need to sort my chickens out and make sure Milo is walked and then OK at home before I leave. Milo has separation anxiety, so I have to make sure the blinds are tilted and the TV or radio is on loud-ish to drown out any outdoor noises, we live on a main road, so this is difficult, his blanket must be on the couch, with a cushion. He's left a treat (which he won't eat but it's there anyway) and I have to faff about the house for 5 minutes before actually leaving, so he doesn't think I've suddenly left him. Trust me, it is a faff, but a routine we've had to get into after having him for 8 years and learning what his anxiety triggers are, this is a routine that works really well. Once out the door, I check who I have that day and plan my route and order of dogs, which saves on time and fuel. I have to check that I have my phone, treats, clients keys, poo bags, spare lead, first aid kit, panic alarm and my body cam. Let's talk about my body cam. "Why do you need a body cam?" I've had numerous people ask me and they are gobsmacked at my reply; "Because often I don't feel safe when walking my dogs". At least once a week, I do come across someone who doesn't think their dog should be put on a lead around other dogs and allows them to come running over. When challenged, I am met with aggression. An aggression that sends chills down my spine because I don't know what this dog is going to do to the dog in my care, or to me and I don't know what this aggressive person is going to do to the dog in my care, or me. I've been ran at, spat at, verbal abuse shouted at me, threatened... all for doing my job as a dog walker. Someone who get's to play with dogs all day! So, after an incident which left me shook to the core all for trying to protect the dog in my care, I decided to arm myself with a body cam. who'd have thought it?! Oh, and depending on the weather, I need to make sure I have my waterproof's, 3 pairs of walking shoes (boots, wellies, trainers), my "big" coat, my cap, scarf, headband, gloves.... Walking your own dog for half an hour in the rain and wind is nothing compared to being out in torrential rain and gale force winds for 5 hours! I make sure I walk in different places each day and each dog - because it would get so boring for me to walk the same routes each time and I do this for safety too. Something else you have to think about as you never know who may be watching you and recording your routes and on what days. I love walking in different places as there's always something you see that you never saw before or don't notice when you're driving. I'm a local history nerd too, so I'm always looking at different buildings for dates and wondering what they would have been in the past. Plus, the dog I'm walking stays more alert and interested in the new sights, sounds and smells. My crew of walking dogs is small and I love it. It means I can take my time, not rush the dog to head on to the next client. Each day is different for the dog, they may be full of energy and hyper alert one day and can't be arsed the next. They may want to just walk and go home and the next they want to sniff every blade of grass, so by me not packing out my day back to back with dogs, means I have the dog "take the lead" - 'scuse the pun! They go home happy and content and not stressed, anxious and hyper. I have learned to read my dog's body language, something that is extremely important when you are a dog walker and carer. Walking a dog isn't just about giving them exercise, it's about mental stimulation too. They see and smell things we don't. They'll notice things we won't and they remember too! That blue council bin bag at the side of the road wasn't there yesterday, what is it doing there now? What's in it? What's it going to do? I don't want to walk past that bag so I'm just going to plonk my arse down and not move or should I just stop dead and yank you the other way? What should I do? I'm scared now, should I bark? Howl? I have to watch for these signs constantly. I see on a daily basis a dog owner yanking their dog down the street as the main goal is to walk it for 20 minutes or a mile and get home so stopping to smell each corner and lamppost is out of the question and if they're scared of that bin bag at the side of the road, tough! You're being yanked past that too! The next time you walk that route and your dog doesn't want to go that way, that's why! I listen to your dog, I get to know which houses have barking dogs at the windows which then turns your dog into a psychotic barking maniac, I remember where your dog found that half eaten pasty and wanted to finish it off but couldn't because I'd spotted it first and steered them away, I find an alternative route for us to walk because an over-friendly dog and oblivious owner has started walking the same way which makes your dog unhappy. Should we talk about poop scooping? Who knew picking up poop was so difficult, especially in Autumn and high winds. The biggest lesson I learned at the beginning was not to buy the cheaper poo bags because poo finger is NOT good and when you're not near a bin and have to carry that sucker around with you, cheaper bags do not hide the smell *gag*. Whose dog's guilty of poop walking? This has got to be one of the most frustrating parts of the job, following a pooping dog down the street for 50 yards, picking up as they drop one, conveniently one in front of everyone's garden gate, to then discover you dropped a turd further up and have to go back! And then there's the turds that owners don't pick up and your dog insists on sniffing to within an inch of it's life... then goes in for a smooch when you drop them back home. Lovely! Once all my dog's have been walked or visited, I go home to my own dog, who firmly insists on following me around for 15 minutes sniffing me all over, wondering who I've been cheating on him with. Then he may or may not sulk for the rest of the day. I then spend the evening going through my photo's, uploading to Facebook and answering enquiries.
The Best and Worst of being a dog walker...
Hands down the best is the unconditional love a dog gives you and knowing they trust you and look to you as their protector. It's a huge commitment and responsibility to take on, but the laughter and love, cuddles and kisses you get from the dogs in my care just supersedes anything negative. The worst... walking in torrential rain and wind, not because you're soaked to the core and can't feel your face or hands, but because of the death stares you get for daring to walk them in that kind of weather.
I think also the rude, ignorant and aggressive people I come across because they can't, or think they shouldn't have to, control their dog. Something I try not to think about, is the passing of a dog. I've experienced this once in the 5 years of being a dog carer and it is absolutely heart breaking. You create strong bonds with the dogs you care for and to see a dog ill or nearing end of life is just the absolute worst part of the job.
So, with all that being said, I hope it's given you a little peek into what it's like being a dog walker. It is the best job, I wouldn't change it for the world and I am thankful to all of my clients for trusting me with their precious dogs and I hope you know how much joy they bring to my life.
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