Is it illegal not to walk your dog? (UK)

It may surprise you, but there isn’t a specific law in the UK that states you must walk your dog. However, the 2006 animal welfare act does state that the person responsible for the dog must ensure that the dog is protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease and be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns.

You could argue that not walking your dog will lower their fitness, increase their weight and make them more prone to injury and disease than a healthy, fit, walked dog who is allowed to exhibit normal behaviour such as exploring, sniffing, greeting other dogs and being outdoors.

Other countries

The laws in other countries are just as non-specific as the UK but could be interpreted to mean that dogs do need to be exercised regularly in order to meet their welfare needs.

In Sweden, for example, it’s against the law to keep a dog without giving it enough exercise. This means that you could be fined if you don’t take your dog for regular walks.

In Denmark, there’s a similar law that requires dog owners to provide their pets with “sufficient opportunities for physical and mental exercise.” And in Finland, it’s illegal to keep a dog in a way that “endangers its health or well-being,” which could include not walking it enough.

What to do if you think a dog needs more walks.

As a professional dog walker you may come across dogs who you feel would benefit from being walked more (or just walked!)

We can be concerned when we feel that a dog may need more exercise than they’re getting, and our approach should change based on whether we have a client whose dog needs more walks, or if we have a neighbour who may need the same.

If we can help the owner with their dogs, ensuring that the dog is healthier and happier, and at the same time gaining a few extra walks for our business, then everyone wins.

What to do if they’re already a client

It can be a sensitive subject so tread carefully and be tactful with your marketing or upselling to current clients.

There are many reasons someone might not be walking their dog often enough including;

1. Health issues: The dog owner may have their own health problems that limit their ability to walk the dog regularly.
2. Busy work schedule: Demanding work commitments or long working hours can leave limited time for dog walking.
3. Extreme weather conditions: Harsh weather conditions such as heavy rain, extreme heat, or cold can discourage regular dog walks.
4. Transportation issues: Lack of personal transportation or limited access to public transportation can hinder the ability to take the dog for walks.
5. Dog’s health issues: If the dog is unwell, elderly or recovering from an illness or surgery, it may require reduced physical activity or limited walks.
6. Lack of suitable walking areas: In some areas, there may be limited safe and dog-friendly walking routes available.
7. Dog’s behavior issues: Dogs with behavioral problems, such as aggression or anxiety, may require extra training or professional assistance before they can be walked regularly.
8. Financial constraints: Limited financial resources can make it difficult to afford dog walking services or to access dog-friendly facilities.

The great thing about them already being a client is that you’ll often already know why your client struggles to add more walks to their dog’s day and this means you’ll know what approach (if any) to take with them.

Here’s how to offer help in each situation;

1. Health issues.
2. Too busy
3. Weather
4. Transportation
5. Dog’s health
6. Lack of spaces
7. Dog’s behaviour
8. Financial constraints

Telling the client that a space has opened up on a group walk on a particular day (or days) can be enough to get them to book with you and solves problems 1,2,3,4 and 6. They may not have thought about asking you for more walks, or they may have assumed you were too busy.

I was once told that if I wanted extra business, I should ask for it.

Sometimes it really is that simple.

To solve problem number 5 we can let the client know that we offer shorter, cheaper walks for elderly dogs or dogs who need a reduced walk schedule. Again, your client may not know this is an extra service you offer.

With issue number 7, the dog’s behaviour, a twofold approach can be used. If you’re capable of managing the dog’s behaviour (and be honest with yourself before you offer your services) then offer more walks. Then, recommend a good, local trainer that you know well to help the owner enjoy walks with their dogs. Dog trainers encounter a bunch of people who need dog walkers so this is an ideal networking opportunity, just ensure that the trainer’s ethics align with your own before recommending.

The hardest problem to solve is where the owner just can’t afford more walks, and signs of this may be late payments to you for the ones they do book or frequent cancelled walks.

Free walks?

Our job is a weird one because we become friends with clients, and have an emotional attachment to their dogs. This can lead us to make decisions that are based on emotion rather than business.

Now, there’s nothing wrong with that. If you choose to offer an extra, free walk to a long term client that’s struggling then that is a generous choice to make. But… be aware that this may lead to resentment in the future if either you have to refuse an extra booking because you’re doing the free walk, or if the owner starts to take advantage by asking for more than you offered.

Set the boundaries and be prepared to have to stop these extra walks in the future if you need to. However, it can be a difficult situation to back out of.

An alternative can be to put them in contact with people who already offer free walks. The downside to this option is that you’re likely to lose the bookings you already have with the client.

Borrow My doggy is an online service that connects dog owners and people who would like to voluntarily walk someone’s dog.

And if your client is elderly, the cinnamon trust puts elderly owners in contact with volunteer walkers, and they may be able to help in other ways too if they’re having financial difficulties.

What to do if they’re not a client

If they’re not a client, maybe they’re a neighbour or another client has mentioned that one of their neighbours dog doesn’t go out much, then you can only market to them as you would any other person by popping a flyer or business card through the door, or saying hello if you see them out and introducing yourself as the area’s local dog walker.

Here are some ways to persuade people to book a dog walker that you may want to include on your marketing materials such as flyers;

• Start by explaining the importance of exercise for dogs. Dogs need regular exercise to stay healthy and happy. They can develop health problems such as obesity, anxiety, and boredom if they don’t get enough exercise.
• Explain the specific risks of not walking your dog. For example, dogs that don’t get enough exercise are more likely to chew on furniture or other objects, bark excessively, and become destructive. They may also become aggressive or fearful.
• Offer to provide your services as a solution to these problems. As a professional dog walker, you can provide your clients with the exercise their dogs need to stay healthy and happy. You can also help to prevent destructive behavior and other problems.
• Be clear about your rates and availability. Let your clients know how much you charge and when you are available to walk their dogs.

If your concerns about a dog’s well-being exceed just concerns about exercise or if you suspect neglect or abuse, it is recommended to report it to the appropriate animal welfare organisations or authorities in your area. Let them assess the situation and take appropriate action if necessary.