Walking Dogs, Easy, Peasy!
Dog walking is simple, grab your dogs, get them to the dog park and let them run free. Really!!!!!
That's the idea and attitude behind many of the 'new dog walker businesses' that have started up in the last few years. What could go wrong?
While from the outside dog walking seems like an unskilled job that anyone could manage after ten years in the business, we know that's simply not true.
It's okay when things are going well, but when things go wrong in the dog park things can go horribly wrong. That's when the inexperienced with no training or back up get hurt, and dogs need a vet.
No one wants their client's dog injured through a dog attack, a fight, friendly play that suddenly escalates. But it happens, we see it all the time, ball obsession, passive-aggressive behaviour, an older dog who won't tolerate puppies, a dog that systematically picks on a smaller dog. In most instances, there are warning signs, but if the dog walker isn't aware of the signals a dog gives and acts to deflect the dominate dog, then a dog fight can happen in the blink of an eye.
We have lots of people answer our adds because 'they loved dogs'! But walking a friends little white fluffy around the block every now and again, or looking after grandma's puppy, or having grown up with dogs all your life, doesn't necessarily mean you are going to be a good dog walker.
After ten years in the business, we know we want a team member with a combination of being a practical person who can solve problems and think on their feet. We want a quiet, steady personality, willing to listen and learn, who is reliable with excellent time management, is passionate about animals and can work outdoors in any weather.
The pay is not great even if we pay above award wages and you need to use your own vehicle, wet weather gear and shoes. We pay your Super, tax, insurance and provide towels, poo bags, leads, water bottles, slip mats for your car and a tee-shirt with our branding on the back.
How does Your Critter Sitter find so many great dog walkers, we are good at what we do!
Hannah