02/10/2026
🐾 THINGS I WANT OWNERS TO KNOW BEFORE HIRING A DOG WALKER 🐾
I do not offer group walks, this is for owners wishing to have their dogs introduced into a group walk. Sharing because i feel this was a good read.
🐕 YOUR DOG DOESN’T HAVE TO LIKE EVERY DOG.
We don’t like every person we meet. Some of us actively avoid certain people in Tesco. 😂
Dogs are allowed to have preferences too!
If your dog prefers certain dogs, smaller groups or walking alone — THAT’S OKAY.
🐶 GROUP WALKS AREN’T FOR EVERY DOG.
And I will NOT force it.
I’d rather say “this isn’t working for your dog” than squeeze them into a group just to fill a space.
Happy + comfortable + safe > filling my diary.
📢 TELL ME EVERYTHING.
Seriously. Even the things you think are irrelevant.
“She’s been a bit quiet.”
“His poo was weird.”
“He barked at a dog yesterday.”
“She seems a bit off.”
TELL. ME. 😂
You know your dog. Little changes can be important.
🏃♀️ BE HONEST ABOUT RECALL.
If your dog has no recall, JUST SAY. 😂
I’m not judging.
But “he’s brilliant off lead” shouldn’t mean “he once came back when I shook a bag of cheese.”
It saves me shouting “COME!” while your dog disappears over the horizon looking back at me like I’m an idiot. 😂
🦴 RESOURCE GUARDING — TELL ME!
Food. Treats. Balls. Sticks. Toys. Water bowls. The moon.
I NEED TO KNOW.
I’ve had to split up enough arguments over balls and water bowls to know that this information is VERY important.
If I know, I can manage it safely.
😂 YOUR DOG MAY ACT COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FOR ME.
This is normal!
The dog who ignores you 47 times when you ask them to sit might suddenly be an angel for me.
The “calm” dog might arrive with me like they’ve had three coffees and a Red Bull.
Please don’t take it personally. 😂
🚫 I MAY SIMPLY SAY NO.
Extreme weather? No.
Dog is unwell? No.
Behaviour I’m not comfortable managing safely? No.
Something doesn’t feel right? No.
I have multiple dogs to think about. If I don’t think something is safe or appropriate, I will say so.
I’d rather disappoint you than put a dog at risk.
💷 CHEAPER DOESN’T ALWAYS MEAN BETTER.
I know everyone has a budget.
But you’re not just paying someone to walk your dog.
You’re paying for experience, insurance, transport, equipment, safety, knowledge, handling, poo-bagging skills 😂 and someone responsible for your dog.
Ask questions.
Check insurance.
Ask how many dogs they walk.
Ask how they’re transported.
Ask where they walk.
Ask what happens in an emergency.
You’re not being awkward — you’re doing your job as an owner.
And my job is to make sure every dog in my care is safe, comfortable and actually enjoying themselves.
Because at HC, “they’ll probably be fine” isn’t a safety policy. 🤷🏽♀️
And yes… sometimes I’m the annoying woman who says NO.
I’d rather be annoying than explain why something went wrong. ❤️
