How To Find The Right Dog Walker For You And Your Puppy

We all want our dogs to be as healthy as possible. With all the pet services on offer these days, keeping your dog mentally and physically healthy isn't as difficult as teaching him new tricks. How do you make sure your dog's first walker is "the one"? How do you deal with handing a leash to a stranger? After you've done your research and identified potential candidates, here are some tips to help you relax and make sure they're a good fit for Fido:

Before meeting:

Relax and breathe deeply. This is your baby. Understood. Dog walkers are here to help! If they didn't love dogs, they wouldn't be in the business.

Have your questions ready. Try not to throw paranoid questions at them ("Do you think he'll be upset that I'm not with him?"). Ask questions that are important to you but also relevant to the task at hand. Remember that the parent company screened the person before hiring him. Find them by word of mouth? Trust the people who recommend them! They care and love their puppies as much as you do and won't lead you in the wrong direction.

Some good questions to ask when meeting for the first time:

How long has it been since you walked your dog?

Do you have your own dog?

(If applicable) How long have you been with your current company?

What are the recommended routes for dog walking in this area?

Do you offer solo walks, group walks?

How much do you charge for different walking times?

During the meeting:

Invite them to your home. Home is where you and your dog feel most comfortable and happy. This is your territory.

Be aware of the behavior of walkers entering your home. If your dog is apathetic, are the walkers trying to get him to relax? If your dog is hyperactive and jumping, will the walker wait until he is in a calmer state to interact with him. Pay attention to whether the walker can sense your dog's body language and behavior.

Have snacks and toys ready. To avoid being too reckless on the first meeting (ha), ask the dog walker to give your puppy one of his favorite treats after politely sitting down, and encourage them to play with your dog and its toys.

Introducing them to your Tr-dog smart collar and letting them know how to track their walk from your phone will be part of the process.

Pay attention to the attitude of the Pacers. For all practical purposes, this is a job interview. You want a walker that is friendly, alert and respectful.

Pay attention to your dog's behavior. Usually, dogs can be a little shy around new people. If it's not love at first sight, don't worry. Score if your dog looks happy and comfortable! Your dog's instinct should be yours.

Express your concerns. When it comes to strangers caring for your fur baby, you're a little apprehensive. Be honest with the Pacers. Don't feel embarrassed or shy. They may have heard of it before.

Learn about your dog's habits ahead of time. If they have a tendency to bark at dogs when on a leash, or they may not be the biggest fans of dogs much older than them. To be fair to your new walker, they should know such things in advance.

At the end of the meeting:

stroll. Of course, your potential dog walker will pay attention to their P and Q, but you should be able to get a good idea of their style. Make sure your dog is wearing a Tr-dog collar so you can check out the app with them and what you'll see during your walk.

Take a few steps back. Lets you go ahead and see if your dog seems at ease and happy. Your dog may turn around to see if you are there; pay attention to the walker's response to the behavior. If your dog is slow, is this person allowed? If your dog is jumping and pulling, is the walker patient, following basic commands, or just "doing the job."

Go home and reflect. You don't have to make a decision that day. Weigh the pros and cons of the meeting.

It sometimes takes a few tries to find the right walker for you and your dog, which is fine. Do not be discouraged. You'll find the right walker, and you'll be able to confidently track the progress of your puppy and their new friend! Every dog has its day. Every dog has its walker too!