Do dog walkers walk in the rain? (and other bizarre questions)

As pro dog walkers we’re used to being asked ‘are they all yours’ and ‘you’ve got your hands full’ but from time to time we also get asked some downright bizarre questions from both the general public and clients.

What do you do if it’s raining?

Yes, professional dog walkers do walk dogs in the rain.

As odd as it sounds this question actually gives you an insight into how some owners treat their dogs. The question stems from the fact that they would be less inclined to walk their own dogs, or that their dogs wouldn’t like being walked, if it were raining.

In fact, varying studies and surveys across the years have found that around 56% of owners state ‘inclement weather’ as a reason to skip a dog walk. (Reasons people hire a pro dog walker)

Whilst it’s a good idea to have a plan in place to cover those days where we have some extreme (for the UK) weather, let owners know that we carry on regardless when the heavens start to open.

Can you walk my dog tomorrow?

Enquiries for new business are always welcomed but on occasion you might get asked to walk a dog at short notice.

There are a few reasons that you may not want to do this.

You’ve never met the owner or the dog.

There’s a reason we do meet and greets. We check the parking situation, assess the dog to see if they’re happy to be with us or if they’ll likely fit into another group walk and it allows the owners to assess if they’re happy handing over a key to their house.

Going to a house you’ve never been to, to grab a key that’s been left in a key safe, or worse, under a plant pot, to walk into a dog’s home that you’ve never met to expect him to happily go for a walk with you, a complete stranger is a risk on some many levels.

It would need to be a solo walk

Can you really fit it in anyway?

It’s a short term job

You’ll either be covering someone who has let them down, or it’s a relative’s dog just visiting or they’re a super disorganised owner.

They’re disorganised

Is someone booking a last minute walk going to pay you on time and give you plenty of notice to fit them in for future walks? Are they the sort of person to remember to let you know if their dog has any little quirks (travel sickness, doesn’t like men, hates bicycles…)

Can you make her wave at the webcam?

Ok, not a dog but I had to include this one as plenty of us offer cat visits as an extra.

The request was to hold up the cat to the webcam so that she could see her and wave her paw at her whilst the owner watched in realtime and spoke to her through the camera. (this was pre zoom when webcams were relatively new)

Cat owners huh? say no more…

If I wear a collar, can you walk me too?

Hilarious.

Sacked.

How to sack a client

Can you make sure she doesn’t get muddy

Fifi’s been to the groomers so could you make sure this pure white bichon doesn’t get wet or muddy on your autumnal walk through the woods, thanks.

It happens, but if it happens a lot then perhaps Fifi would be better suited to walks with another walker, or on another group where you take them somewhere less ‘rural’.

So, what’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever been asked?

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