It’s tempting when you start to build your client list, to group dogs according to their addresses. This makes logical sense as it saves you fuel and reduces the travel time for the dogs too.
And a lot of the time this works out just fine as most dogs with any sort of reactivity issues with other dogs are likely to be on a solo walk anyway.
But sometimes you will encounter a personality clash between dogs. Some people just don’t get along and it’s the same for dogs.
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What should I consider when grouping dogs for walks?
As a professional dog walker, there are several important questions to ask yourself when grouping dogs to be walked together. These questions are essential to ensure the safety and well-being of both the dogs and the dog walker.
What is the temperament of each dog?
It’s essential to consider the personality and temperament of each dog. Are they friendly and sociable or shy and anxious? This information will help you decide which dogs can walk together without any issues.
Surisingly, a well mannered confident dog can be a great choice to walk with a shy but friendly dog to help give them confidence and enjoy the walk.
This method is used a lot by a local rehoming centre near me when they have puppy farm dogs to rehome. Placing them with confident dogs already in the home shows them what to do, what to expect and gives them a boost of much needed confidence.
What is the size and energy level of each dog?
Personally, I find super excited, hyped up enthusiastic people exhausting!
Dogs can feel the same way about other dogs. Popular dog trainer Nando Brown calls them library dogs and disco dogs.
Consider the size and energy level of each dog when grouping them together. Larger dogs with high energy levels may not be suitable to walk with smaller, more timid dogs. Put your library dogs with your library group walk, and your disco dogs with your 100mph group.
What is the age of each dog?
Age is also a crucial factor to consider when grouping dogs together. Puppies should be closely monitored to make sure they’re not over doing it and stressing their growing muscles and joints so putting them in with a high energy group might not be the best plan.
Older dogs won’t want to be hassled by puppies either so finding a nice balance in your groups is essential to keep everyone happy.
Do any of the dogs have a history of aggression or reactivity?
It’s essential to know if any of the dogs have a history of aggression or have displayed any aggressive behaviour. These dogs should obviously not be walked with other dogs and should be walked separately.
Even if the owner wants their dogs to be introduced to other dogs in order to make them more sociable. Don’t! This doesn’t work and is more likely to make the dog more reactive and more anti-social. You’re also be putting your other client’s dogs at risk.
I know as business owners we sometimes struggle to say no, or turn down a client, but the simple phrase “I’m sorry, I don’t think your dog will be a good fit for our groups” is all you need to say.
Are the dogs familiar with each other?
When I had a new client for group walks my process was to first do a few solo walks to get to know the dog. This enabled me to choose an appropriate group for them to join.
I would then pair them up with one of the dogs from that group, so that if anything unexpected happened I only had 2 dogs to control and separate if necessary.
If all went well, then I would have them join a full group walk, enlisting the help of a friend for the first one if possible.
Throwing an unknown dog into a vehicle with dogs they’ve never met before for an exciting group walk in a place they might not be familiar with, and with you whom they’ve met possibly once, is a recipe for disaster. Play it safe, and introduce them slowly. I know it’s more work to begin with but your client’s dog’s safety should come first.
How many dogs can be safely walked at one time?
Finally, consider how many dogs you can safely handle at one time. The number of dogs you can walk together will depend on their size, temperament, and your experience as a dog walker.
And in some areas it’ll be determined by your local council or parks authority, not to mention your insurance will also stipulate a maximum.
Overall, it’s crucial to be thorough when grouping dogs together and to always prioritise the safety and well-being of the dogs in your care.
What is play style and how does it affect a group walk
In the context of dogs, playstyle refers to the unique way in which an individual dog engages in play with other dogs or with humans. Just like humans, dogs have their own preferences and personalities that can influence how they play.
A dog’s playstyle can be influenced by factors such as breed, age, size, temperament, and past experiences. For example, some dogs may prefer to play rough and tumble, while others may prefer to play more gently. Some dogs may enjoy chasing and retrieving toys, while others may prefer to play tug-of-war.
Understanding a dog’s playstyle can help you to provide appropriate toys and friends that cater to their individual needs and interests. It can also help you to recognize when a dog may not be enjoying a particular type of play and may be feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
Having 3 dogs who enjoy a fast, zoomy playstyle on a walk is great for them but the fourth dog who enjoys a more sniffy, slow walk is going to get stressed and worse case scenario, potentially get spooked and bolt. (Check out our other article about what to do if your dog runs away here)
Want to know more about starting your own dog walking business? Check out the full start up guide at; How to start a successful dog walking business (2023)
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