09/11/2021
*I saw this post from another dog walker but it pretty much sums up this vocation*
🐾 Recently I’ve been approached by many different people, saying how easy my job must be. How lovely and relaxed I must feel being out all day in nature...
💚 Yes, my job is the best. Yes, my mind is great when I’m out with the dogs. Yes, my job is better then yours. But let me just point out a few things people tend to forget about when they say our job as a dog walker is “easy”.
Point 1:
We have to be outside in ALL weather. Sunshine is great. Rain is not. Snow isn’t too bad. But cold is not the one! With rain comes mud. With mud comes footprints - everywhere. With mud, comes damp dog smell - 24/7.
Point 2:
We have to think about our plan of action just as other jobs would. It’s not as easy as picking up a few dogs and walking them together. We have to make sure they will get along. We have to take into consideration each dogs temperament, personality, reactions, dislikes and strength. There’s no point in putting five big dogs who pull like crazy together if we can’t control them all on leads.
Point 3:
How much exercise does each dog need? Some dogs are hyper for the whole walk. Some dogs have random bursts of energy and then will slow down. Some dogs are chilled the whole time. And some are old and generally slower altogether. We can’t pair a puppy with an older dog, we have to pair them correctly.
Point 4:
Pick up points! Planning our routes with all of the above factors can mean we are driving backwards and forwards a few times a day. This isn’t an issue for me. As long as the dogs are happy on their walks with their friends then I’m happy. But I do try to keep travel times to a minimum. No dogs wants to be stuck in a van travelling for half hour!
Point 5:
Where to walk! There are lots of beautiful locations for us to choose from. But again we have to take into consideration if the dogs are off lead, will they be safe? Are there any dangerous areas the dogs could run off too and get stuck? Are there any train tracks or road nearby? Are there any deer or livestock for the dogs to chase?
Point 6:
Solo dogs! Solo dogs are amazing to walk for many reasons. We can bond more on a one to one basis. We can work closer with the dog on training methods. But solo walks can come with a price!! Reactive dogs are on high alert, so we have to be on a higher alert. Can we find a walk where we will see no other dogs or people? Can we go to a place where there are no distractions and the little doggy can enjoy their walk in peace? Finding these places are hard!!
Point 7:
Our vans stink! No matter how many times we clean them, they will always smell within an hour of having a wet dog inside. Dirt will be found in places you thought were impossible to reach. Slobber will be everywhere. Dried and fresh. It’s just how it is! And no matter how hard we clean off out wellies, there will always be mud in the drivers side of the car!! And yes we do find dog hairs in our clothes at the end of the day. It’s part of the uniform!
Point 8:
We love our extended families like our own. When we loose a client, whether that be relocation or sadly death, we are heartbroken just like you. We spend so much time with your dogs, we know all their little quirks. We know when they are going to p**p. We know when they are trying to sneakily eat something. We know when they need a hug and some extra attention. It can be hard when we have to say goodbye to that bond.
Point 9:
Keeping on top of our social media and advertising can be tiring. We are a one man band. We have to cover every aspect of this business. From the hard work, to the admin. So if we sometimes miss a text, please don’t be offended. Know that we have seen it, but we can’t always reply. You can count on me to be there whenever you ask of me.
Point 10:
Not everyone is our friend. We can get abuse from lots of different people. From the public who despise dog walkers, to other competitive dog walkers. I try my best to say hello to everyone I meet! A hello goes a long way. But I’m sometimes greeted in return with a face that doesn’t want to talk. We also have to remember to be on alert with the general public. So many dog-nappings happening lately we cannot trust anyone!!
Point 11:
I am always here for anyone that needs me. May that be advice, services or a chat. I am here nearly 24/7 and always try to answer any messages as quickly as I can.
There’s some reasons why our jobs can be just as hard work, just as tiring, just as daunting as an office job with targets.
Working with dogs, cats, and other pets is such a rewarding task. To be able to say I work within a role I love is amazing. I would go through the above everyday, ten times over and more.
Please be kind, and please understand that not everyone can be a Dog Walker. It takes a lot of time, effort, care and support. 💚🤍💚
