Mega Bored
In an ideal world, we have all the time to walk our canine friends. But the reality is, most people barely have the time to do anything else after work. Unfortunately, dogs need regular exercise to keep them healthy, active and happy.
If say, you are unable to walk your dog regularly, consider hiring a professional dog walker for your pet. A dog walker will come to your home to pick up your pet and walk and play with the animal. The whole point is to engage and stimulate the animal, giving it lots of exercise and reducing the risk of destructive behaviors rooted from boredom.
The Importance of a Good Dog Walker
Dog walking may seem like a simple task, but it has its own challenges. Because dogs are pack animals, the dog walker should be assertive to get some respect from the animals. Otherwise, the dogs will refuse to be walked! So don’t hire anyone who’s looking to earn a quick buck. In today’s post, we are giving you tips on how to land the perfect dog walker and what factors you should consider before getting one:
Experience
The dog walker must have previous experience taking care of dogs before. The longer they lived with dogs, the better. For potential walkers, sit down with each one and quiz him or her about his or her experience in walking dogs. Check for subtle cues that suggest the level of enthusiasm, passion and commitment for the job. If the walker seems less than enthused about the idea of walking the dog, it’s best to move on regardless if the person has a stellar record. You want someone who has the passion and the commitment to make a career out of dog walking.
Interaction
After checking the potential candidate’s level of commitment to the job, let him or her meet your pet. See how the dog walker interacts with your pooch. Every dog has a different temperament, personality, and needs. All these are important factors you have to consider when hiring a dog walker. Of all people, you should know your dog’s attitude and temperament the best. You should tell the subtle cues the dog gives you to clue you in on his feelings. Unlike human beings, animals are better at reading people. If the dog does not want to be near the walker, go with your gut feeling.
See what tone of voice the walker is using, if he is presenting himself to the animal well and how he greets your pet.
If you don’t see any chemistry between the walker and your dog, don’t force anything. Just move on to a walker who has an instant connection with the animal. If your dog suddenly shies away from the walker or the animal exhibited aggressive behavior, do not hire the walker. Conversely, if the dog seems to like a potential walker, then he makes a great candidate.
Ask for References
Don’t take everything at face value. If a certain walker has a great track record, ask for proof. One way to do that is to get his former and current clients’ contact details. Call each one and inquire about the performance of the dog walker. Glowing recommendations from former and current clients are a clear indication of an excellent walker.
