Dog Walking Services - What to Look For
Dog walking services can be a good way to go for people that are incredibly busy and really don't have the time to take their dogs out each day. While it's better if you can do it yourself, it's necessary that your dog gets a walk each day. Dogs need to walk! It's what they do.
If you don't walk your dogs they'll get fat and unhealthy and they won't be happy either. You don't have to walk them for hours at a time, either. A half hour walk is ideal for many breeds, though for the highly active types you should try to do that twice a day.
The beauty of dog walking services is that they'll help to keep your dog happy and healthy why you attend to your business. They're usually very reasonably priced, so it won't cost you too much out of your pocket.
You're probably wondering why it's better to walk your dog on your own then?
The reason you should walk your own dog is because it gives you a chance to teach them how to properly walk with a leash and it also gives you plenty of time to bond with them. Don't start worrying that if you don't walk your dog you won't be able to have a good relationship with them, but it certainly helps.
That's why it's only recommended that you look into your local dog walking services as a last resort.
Signs of Quality Dog Walking Services
Not all dog walking services are equal! Remember, a dog needs to be guided and trained to properly walk on a loose leash. Many dog walking services take on so many dogs that they all just pull to their heart's content. You want to avoid this if you can. The dog walker that you hire should have a good amount of experience training dogs and should have their own that they take along with the group.There are plenty of people that are simply into the dog walking business as a way to make money. And while there is nothing wrong with that, if they are not teaching your dog the right way to walk, then your dog will start to develop bad habits.
You have to consider the possibility that you will have time to walk your dog on your own down the road. If they have always been shown by the dog walker that it is ok to pull, then that will be their natural instinct. You will have a very challenging time correcting that behavior and getting them to walk on a loose leash.
On the other hand, some dog walking services teach the proper fundamentals of loose leash walking. They are very good for your dog because they will help them to understand what is expected of them any time a leash is put on. If you ever decide that you want to take your dog for a walk, you will be very pleasantly surprised to see how well they do.
Finding Dog Walking Services in Your Area
One of the best ways to find good dog walking services is to go to your local pet store. The really reliable services will advertise their services and drop off business cards there. The best part about finding them this way is that you'll know they're a legitimate business. You will also be able to find a limited amount of dog walking services advertised in your local newspaper.When you do find a couple dog walking services to contact, you should contact them over the phone and ask them simple questions like:
- How long do the dog walks last?
- How many dogs usually go along at the same time?
- Are the dogs allowed to pull or are they trained to walk on a loose leash?
Get References for Dog Walking Services
It's very helpful to get references before hiring a dog walking service. The people that care enough to give their feedback are people just like you and me that truly want the best for their dog. They are people that know how important the exercise is for the dog, but they also understand why they need to be shown how to walk on a leash the right way.So only hire dog walking services if you physically don't have the time or ability to walk your dog yourself yourself. Be careful who you hire for the job, and the whole experience will be rewarding for you and your dog.
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