Dog walking costs...
Discussion
I use to have a doggy walker , generally seem to be around the 9 ph
I ended up putting my ridgeback in to doggy day care which he much prefers .
A lot of dog walkers won't take big dogs due to the size / power aspect , I had a mare and went through 3 walkers before we found some one that could just about handle a 18 month ridgebacks power and intensity .
I ended up putting my ridgeback in to doggy day care which he much prefers .
A lot of dog walkers won't take big dogs due to the size / power aspect , I had a mare and went through 3 walkers before we found some one that could just about handle a 18 month ridgebacks power and intensity .
£12.50/day for a 40 minute walk for them together... same price for wet or dry days, but he was really good in that you pay for the walk so the drying etc. wasn't included in price.
I would say, meet the walker before deciding (although I know you've not got the dog yet!
) and let him take the dog for a walk to see how he/she deals with the dog/how the dog deals with the walker.
We were lucky with ours and found one first time that was able to deal with our two (both bull terriers, so can put a fair amount of force on the end of the lead if they decide they want to go somewhere), both in terms of strength (against sudden pulls toward a tree to wee on, etc) and "stern-ness" with them not taking the piss when walking. Also important was nice-ness toward dogs and fussing compatibility.
Doggy day care (why can I not write Dog Day Care? Why doggy?!) worth a look too, but inevitably more costly.
I would say, meet the walker before deciding (although I know you've not got the dog yet!
) and let him take the dog for a walk to see how he/she deals with the dog/how the dog deals with the walker.We were lucky with ours and found one first time that was able to deal with our two (both bull terriers, so can put a fair amount of force on the end of the lead if they decide they want to go somewhere), both in terms of strength (against sudden pulls toward a tree to wee on, etc) and "stern-ness" with them not taking the piss when walking. Also important was nice-ness toward dogs and fussing compatibility.
Doggy day care (why can I not write Dog Day Care? Why doggy?!) worth a look too, but inevitably more costly.
Edited by Karyn on Monday 2nd July 17:51
We used to think that to. Now the other half has quit her job and started a Doogy Daycare, boarding and walking service.
Average for a walk is usually between £10 and £15 depending on where you live and the type of dog and a lot of places (not all) offer discounts for regular walks. Most the walkers around here generally do not walk the larger dogs, most likely because they are not comfortable with being able to handle it in all situations. My other half however, will take any size.
One thing you should probably make sure of is that they have their own insurance, as usually your own insurance will not cover your dog if being walked by someone else for reward.
Average for a walk is usually between £10 and £15 depending on where you live and the type of dog and a lot of places (not all) offer discounts for regular walks. Most the walkers around here generally do not walk the larger dogs, most likely because they are not comfortable with being able to handle it in all situations. My other half however, will take any size.
One thing you should probably make sure of is that they have their own insurance, as usually your own insurance will not cover your dog if being walked by someone else for reward.
I'd say £8/hr is the going rate.
That would potentially equate to £50/wk - based on 4 days at 1.5hr/day.
Having someone you know you can trust who also understands your dog and its idiosyncrasies (or that of the breed) might mean so much that you could well be prepared to pay considerably more.
Cheers,
Eric
That would potentially equate to £50/wk - based on 4 days at 1.5hr/day.
Having someone you know you can trust who also understands your dog and its idiosyncrasies (or that of the breed) might mean so much that you could well be prepared to pay considerably more.
Cheers,
Eric
We were paying £30 a day for 2 dogs in day care (£15 each). We dropped them off between 7:45am and 8:00am and picked them up about 6:15 in the evening. Would cost an extra £5 if we wanted pick up and drop off.
When we originally looked into it 2 years ago, charges were between £15 and £22 per dog.
When we originally looked into it 2 years ago, charges were between £15 and £22 per dog.
We were paying £250/month for just dog walks. Easy maths shows you that it works out cheaper in the long run to move closer to work!
Plus,we I missed spending that extra little bit of time with them during the day.
...the things people do for their pets!
Even if we hadn't moved, I'd rather pay £3k a year to try and alleviate an unavoidable, crappy situation for the dogs than just leave them at home all day.
Plus,
...the things people do for their pets!
Even if we hadn't moved, I'd rather pay £3k a year to try and alleviate an unavoidable, crappy situation for the dogs than just leave them at home all day.
Do your research and ask other dog owners if they use one and who. I work away from home and the wife can't always be back in a reasonable time so to brighten up his (the dogs) day we decided to get a dog walker.
The guy we use came round to our house to meet us and the dog and to give us an opportunity to meet him. Nice chap. He charges 9 per day per hour walk and ours gets walked once, 5 days per week. The dog really likes him so I presume he is OK. He has a key to our house and collects our dog in the afternoon. Never has the dog been covered in mud and just left in the house, he is always cleaned/dried afterwards. Soon as they come back the dog walker gives him his dinner which is why I presume the dog likes him but I think its a genuine like rather than a food orientated one. Also means he gets to round around with other dogs which is by far a lot more exercise than you and him walking alone.
If I am honest though I reall miss taking the dog out after work. It is a lovely way to relax and unwind while taking in the countryside. Even in the rain there is still beauty to behold in the outside world and your dog will always do something stupid to make you giggle. You miss these things if you don't walk them yourself.
Still, needs must.
The guy we use came round to our house to meet us and the dog and to give us an opportunity to meet him. Nice chap. He charges 9 per day per hour walk and ours gets walked once, 5 days per week. The dog really likes him so I presume he is OK. He has a key to our house and collects our dog in the afternoon. Never has the dog been covered in mud and just left in the house, he is always cleaned/dried afterwards. Soon as they come back the dog walker gives him his dinner which is why I presume the dog likes him but I think its a genuine like rather than a food orientated one. Also means he gets to round around with other dogs which is by far a lot more exercise than you and him walking alone.
If I am honest though I reall miss taking the dog out after work. It is a lovely way to relax and unwind while taking in the countryside. Even in the rain there is still beauty to behold in the outside world and your dog will always do something stupid to make you giggle. You miss these things if you don't walk them yourself.
Still, needs must.
I'm ashamed to say we use one too, things were fine, until our work patterns changed and we were both working Mon-Fri during day (wife used to work shifts 3 days/night per week, whilst I've always done office hours)..
Faced with the choice of:
- get rid of a family member (ie dog)
- leave him alone for 10-12 hours per day
- pay someone to let him out and walk him for an hour or so during the day
there was only one option..
...and yes he now costs more 'to run' than the TVR...(!)
Key is to find a walker you really do trust (they will have keys to your house after all!!)
Faced with the choice of:
- get rid of a family member (ie dog)
- leave him alone for 10-12 hours per day
- pay someone to let him out and walk him for an hour or so during the day
there was only one option..
...and yes he now costs more 'to run' than the TVR...(!)
Key is to find a walker you really do trust (they will have keys to your house after all!!)
My boy comes to work with me, and walk him in my dinner hour
I have met one of the walkers in my area, she had 12 (yes 12!) dogs of various size and age, 5 on lead and rest off, got chatting to her and she said she does that 3 times a day! also it was a quiet week as kids were off school.
If she is on £10 a dog then I really need to change carrer!
I have met one of the walkers in my area, she had 12 (yes 12!) dogs of various size and age, 5 on lead and rest off, got chatting to her and she said she does that 3 times a day! also it was a quiet week as kids were off school.
If she is on £10 a dog then I really need to change carrer!
I pay about 250 pm for my two to get walked for an hour 5 days a week.
I don't mind the cost as it was my idea to get 2 dogs and I don't think it's fair to leave them for 10 hours without a walk or access to the garden.
I met my dog walker when he was walking some other dogs I know and also spoke to the other owners and they seemed very happy with him.
I don't mind the cost as it was my idea to get 2 dogs and I don't think it's fair to leave them for 10 hours without a walk or access to the garden.
I met my dog walker when he was walking some other dogs I know and also spoke to the other owners and they seemed very happy with him.
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