Private school

Indiana · Guru

Private school

feldandjack · Guru

Best of luck, do your dogs get to give a score for the other dogs? biggrin

Dawn · Guru

Alexis, Probably by the end of the walk, the chap will wish all his dogs were Greyhounds. aww

max · Enlightened One

Greyhounds ..10 , Other Dogs... 0 . WAY TO GO !!!!!!!!!!!! biggrin

Nora

flash · Old Hand

Hope this goes well for you. I have to work full time to cover holidays for a couple of weeks and arranged a dog walker for Flash, a very nice man who lives nearby. He came to visit several times with treats and got on very well with her. He came at lunchtime on Monday and she barked at him, pooed on the carpet(unheard of) and hid in a corner, refusing to go out. Poor wee Flash was really scared and the nice man was really upset thinking he had done something to frighten her and I feel guilty about leaving her. I am now going home every lunchtime and Flash seems happy with that.

greyluvver · GAL Membership Co-Ordinator

Good luck Alexis. Hope all goes well.

Indiana · Guru

Thanks for all your good wishes. It appears to have gone well today No marks as yet! They kept both of them on the lead until they can build up a rapport and trust. Tomorrow they are taking the dogs to an enclosed football pitch to practice recall... They can't wait to see them run and are very excited so that's nice to see. (And I bet all your predictions about how they will prefer greyhounds will become true!) My only worry is their lack of knowledge on greyhounds. They seem to think I'm incredibly cruel by having them muzzled when off lead but I've pointed them in the direction of information on the breed to ensure them it's not just me being a. retentive. Indiana and Tigerlily were out from 11 until 5.30 so the pair of them are shattered. Which is a nice change! Tomorrow they're going on a morning walk with a lurcher, a collie, and two golden retrievers so I'll let you all know how it goes x

tootsmazza · Enlightened One

Fingers crossed for you, the daycare we have is a godsend for Mason and its just as well. I met our local dogwalker recently who dismissed greyhounds telling me their problem was they have brains the size of peas! He also said he wouldn't take a dog which couldn't be let off the lead.
Clearly the man was an idiot
wink

Jennifer · Master

tootsmazza wrote:

I met our local dogwalker recently who dismissed greyhounds telling me their problem was they have brains the size of peas!

I have to agree with him on this one, i think there is some truth in this statement

-- Edited by Jennifer at 16:42, 2007-06-11

FAJ · Enlightened One

As an aside, we don't allow our dogwalker to let our two off the lead and we never will. Harry's prey drive is too strong (so we're extremely careful ourselves about the whole off-lead thing with him) and Pearly can get a bit independent. We just don't trust that the bond with anyone other than us would be strong enough to prevent her from wandering off if she got a whiff of something interesting.

Not that I'm saying this is what everyone should do, of course. Just our preference.

max · Enlightened One

If I did ever have to use a dogwalker I am afraid I am of the same opinion that they would have to keep my dogs on lead at all times. This is no great hardship for any dog as long as they are getting excercised. I myself have walked other peoples dogs for them and would not dream of letting them off lead. Sorry do not want to offend anyone this is just my personal feelings. smile

Nora

Indiana · Guru

I like Indiana to get off because he really needs a good sprint and always keeps us in sight. His behaviour is a lot worse in the house if he doesn't get that outlet. Tigerlily is similar in not going far but my worry with her is her need to barge other dogs race-style and have recommended that she stays on the lead. I only let her off when we are somewhere remote and there is no chance of coming into contact with other dogs off-lead. But I understand everyone else's choices!
So far they have remained on the lead and today they even got a letter addressed to them. Enclosed were pictures of their last walk and the pair of them were happily splashing in the river. So I'm pleased so far because I think I have found a walker who genuinely loves dogs and the great outdoors. Downside? I can't get him to stop talking!

FAJ · Enlightened One

Sounds like things are going really well with your chap taking out your two. A good dogwalker is worth their weight in gold!

Dawn · Guru

FAJ wrote:

A good dogwalker is worth their weight in gold!

This is so true Fiona, fortunately I only tried to employ a dog walker once when I had Kaz, but changed my mind when they told me he would be walked for 1 hour with at least 6-7 other dogs. The other dogs werent the problem the length of the walk was. Old Kaz could only walk for a short distance, and despite the fact I was prepared to pay whatever that took, the 'dog walker' wouldnt entertain it. hmm

I also know a really nice girl who does her dog walker, but sadly she takes out 9-10 (all crammed into an estate car), and walks them all off the lead. cry

Her group of 9 dogs attacked another in the park one day, so although she is making plenty of money, at what price?
Dog walkers/sitters can now get a Diploma, which gives them an insight into the law with regard to caring for the pets etc, but they definately need to be part of a governing body.

FAJ · Enlightened One

Dawn wrote:
Her group of 9 dogs attacked another in the park one day, so although she is making plenty of money, at what price?

Blimey, I wouldn't have thought that she'd be allowed to continue letting the dogs run free like that after such an incident! Even if all 9 dogs were mine, I wouldn't let so many run around in a pack together. And certainly not if I was the only person there in charge of them.

Our dogwalker only takes Harry and Pearly out together if she's on her own. If her partner or daughter is with her then she might take her own dogs or a couple of others (all on-lead). We don't mind this cos it's good for Harry to get a bit of socialisation. He even went out with a couple of teeny ****er spaniels and didn't try to eat them! Bless him. biggrin

Joking aside, makes you wonder if dogwalkers should indeed be part of a registered body. I appreciate that it creates more administration but it might weed out the people who just do it for the 'easy' money from the people who genuinely love dogs and want to be with them (like Indiana's chap). I wish we didn't have to use a dogwalker and were always there for the dogs ourselves but needs must and we have to work.

Dawn · Guru

FAJ wrote:

makes you wonder if dogwalkers should indeed be part of a registered body. I appreciate that it creates more administration but it might weed out the people who just do it for the 'easy' money from the people who genuinely love dogs and want to be with them (like Indiana's chap).

An enterprising dog walker/sitter would probably have to start this themselves, like a self governing body. Not that I am a big fan of those who self govern, which many will know, but the Pet Bereavement Industry (which I am a member of) is self governing and they dont stand for any nonsense from any of their members. A whiff of any of them not acting in an appropriate manner when dealing with deceased pets and they are out of the Association. Thats why many dont or are not allowed to join.
It would be good if dog walkers followed a code of conduct, that would soon weed out the one's who are in it for the money without due care for the pets, sadly like the girl I know.

neeroz · Master

I've just started using/employing a dog walker one day a week (they should be out a wanderin' as I type) and its early days (second week).
He does walk another dog in my village and the woman can't sing his praises high enough. He only walks a max of four dogs at a time (for insurance purposes), so my lot get him all to themselves and there doesn't seem to be any problems so far.
He took on board Kai's harness/collar/lead phobia and Kai seems to like him too.

Jennifer · Master

I wouldn't trust anyone with my dogs (to be out walking them when im not there). When i used to work at the dog and cat home, i used to hear stories all the time like "he was out with the dog walker when he ran away" or dogs actually getting stolen while out with dog walkers, or i've even heard dodgy stories like the dog walker having sold the dog but telling the owners the dog went missing

My dogs are at home all day when im at work and my neighbours let them in the garden at lunchtime for a pee. Some may think thats cruel but at least i know they'll be safe in the house when i get home from work

Im not disagreeing with anyone's choices to have a dog walker, this is just my opinion

Laura · Master

I walk my next-door neighbour's Westie. It's not that often, but I do get paid for it. I only let him off the lead if the park is empty or there are no other dogs as he can sometimes be aggressive. His recall is quite good but unless I was sure he would definately come back I wouldn't let him off. Very occassionally I will walk him and Rosie at the same time, but it can sometimes be difficult to manage. Luckily, the way Mum and Dad work means our dogs aren't left for that long in the day. I think dog walkers are great, if you get one that is in it for the welfare of the animals, not just the cash.

Santas Little Helper · Master

Dawn wrote:

FAJ wrote:

makes you wonder if dogwalkers should indeed be part of a registered body. I appreciate that it creates more administration but it might weed out the people who just do it for the 'easy' money from the people who genuinely love dogs and want to be with them (like Indiana's chap).

Your dog walker should be registered with the National Association of Registered Petsitters (N.A.R.P) and follow its Code of Practice and obide by its Terms and Conditions, which include not walking more than 4 dogs at one time and having a police check carried out if they hold keys to your house, (amongst other things.)

neeroz · Master

Your dog walker should be registered with the National Association of Registered Petsitters (N.A.R.P) and follow its Code of Practice and obide by its Terms and Conditions, which include not walking more than 4 dogs at one time and having a police check carried out if they hold keys to your house, (amongst other things.)

Yup my dog walker has all of the above (I probably should have said that when I posted my last bit) and I was able to stipulate that I didn't want the dogs let off the lead at all.

Indiana · Guru

Yes, my new dog walker is a member of NARP and has a police check. It is also worth pointing out that a police check should be valid from the last 6 months. Anything older doesn't count. I just hope that the walking will all be worthwhile for the dogs and I don't regret my decision to give this a go. So far, it is ten times better than the doggy day care I tried.

max · Enlightened One

Well done on getting everything just right for your dogs you have obviously taken the time and efffort to make sure you have nothing but the best for your dogs. I hope the dogs and thier walker have a terrific time together. All the very best and it sounds as if you have found one very good dog walker. biggrin Nora
PS. He may be in much need.lol.

-- Edited by max at 22:23, 2007-06-14

Dawn · Guru

Just thought I would add to this thread, after being away for the weekend.... to attended the National Funeral Exhibition in Stoneleigh Park.....very interesting from a Pet Bereavement perspective, ......but....the best Pet Sitter we know, is Rachel from the kennels at Langbank.
Rachel knows the breed, gives 101% of her time to them and we know that the dogs are sooo well looked after they want 'aunty Rachel' to live here! hmm

Rachel has forgotten more about dogs, than most of us will ever learn, who better would you trust to look after your dogs?
Thanks Rachel for a great weekend.
Love, Ivor, Mac, Ruby, Wizzard, Basil, Presley ( wink

), Molly, Six and Denzel xxx
PS Hope you will come back soon for the weekend, or better still the week biggrin