Your Pets Daily - dog walking

Pricing vs playtime: 70% dog owners don’t care about cost when hiring a dog walker but over half want one-on-one walks

Your Pets Daily Editor — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Revealed: Survey reveals dog walker pricing only a priority for 30% of dog owners but 86% want THIS one thing

30% respondents said competitive pricing would influence their decision when choosing a dog walker, compared to 86% respondents said additional services like training reinforcement or playtime are/would be important to them when choosing a dog walker.

Over 4 in 5 (82%) respondents said professional affiliations or certifications would impact their decision to hire a dog walker, with just over a third (34%) saying it would significantly impact it.

Almost all (97%) respondents said a dog walker's experience and background in working with dogs would be important to them.

78% of dog owners believe that their dog should be walked twice a day, making dog walking a valuable side hustle or even a full-time profession if you want to start a business and are passionate about dogs. According to Indeed, the average dog walker annual salary in 2023 is £23,216.

Money.co.uk dog walking business insurance experts wanted to explore what dog owners look for when hiring dog walkers, and how dog walkers can make themselves more attractive to their client base. Our experts have also given their tips on starting up a side walking hustle of your own!

The study surveyed 2,000 people on concerns dog owners have when hiring dog walkers, as well as what they like about hiring a dog walker and found out the below:

What services do dog owners want a dog walker to provide?

One-on-one walks: Money.co.uk survey revealed that over half (52%) of dog owners prefer their dogs to go on one-on-one walks with a dog walker, as opposed to in a group - hence if you can offer this as a dog walker, it's important to make this clear in all marketing you do.

Playtime and training: Furthermore, over 4 in 5 (86%) respondents said additional services like training reinforcement or playtime are important to them when choosing a dog walker. Considering adding this to your portfolio as a dog walker to entice clients and stand out from the competition.

Breed knowledge: Almost 9 in 10 (88%) respondents said they are likely to hire a dog walker who tailors services to their dog's individual needs.

For example, over 7 in 10 (73%) respondents with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel said a dog walker's experience and background in working with dogs is extremely important to them, compared to just under 3 in 5 (59%) respondents with Golden Retrievers who said the same. Hence, things like knowing the key differences between breeds can therefore be highly valuable when securing potential clients.

What concerns do dog owners have when it comes to hiring a dog walker?

Dog owners surveyed would be most concerned about the safety of their dog when considering hiring a dog walker (44%), followed by the trustworthiness of the dog walker (27%).

Hence, having dog walking insurance is a surefire way to put worried dog owners at ease.

Over 9 in 10 (96%) respondents would place emphasis on a dog walker's ability to handle emergencies or unexpected situations, and the key to dog walking insurance is public liability, which includes accident and injury cover. This covers dog walkers if the worst happens, for example if a dog is lost or injured during your care or if a dog causes an injury or accident to someone or someone else's property.

What do dog owners look for in a dog walker?

According to the recent survey done by money.co.uk, the top three qualities or traits respondents prioritise most when looking for a dog walker are:

Knowledgeable about dog behaviour (58%)
Patience and understanding (55%)
Punctuality and reliablity (47%)

Top tips on starting up a dog walking business

Money.co.uk business insurance expert Cam Jaques gives his top tips for starting up a dog walking business:

Do your research:

Begin by researching your local market. Understand the demand for dog walking services in your area, your competition, and the rates they charge. Develop a solid business plan that outlines your goals, target market, pricing structure, and marketing strategies.

Get Dog Walking Insurance:

Dog walking insurance is an important part of setting up a dog walking business, as it helps to protect your business and the dogs you look after. Dog walking is not a risk-free business and there is a lot of emotional and financial responsibility attached to it.

The key to dog walking insurance is public liability, which includes accident and injury cover. This covers dog walkers if the worst happens, for example if a dog is lost or injured during your care or if a dog causes an injury or accident to someone or someone else's property.

Ensure You Choose The Right Cover For You:

Identify the different levels of cover available to decide how much protection you need. It's important to consider all aspects of the job, including whether you visit clients' houses or use your own car.

You might also need employers' liability insurance in your policy if you hire any staff. It's also worth considering personal accident cover in case you suffer a injury during a walk or business equipment cover if you have specialist leads or dog toys. This can also cover the technology you use to manage booking with your clients, for example a laptop or phone. Speaking of tech, if you hold personal details of your clients online, then cyber insurance might also be useful.

Check Your Policy:

Dog walking insurance policies will not cover everything, including:

Any animal scheduled under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act (DWAA)
Any excess applicable
Walking more dogs than is specifically outlined in the original policy

Hence, make sure you always check your own policy documents thoroughly for a full list of exclusions.

Legal Considerations:

Register your business, choose a suitable business name, and determine the legal requirements for operating a dog walking service in your area. This might include getting any necessary licenses, permits, or insurance coverage.

Training and Experience:

Gain relevant knowledge and experience in handling different dog breeds and temperaments. Consider taking dog training courses, first aid classes, and obtaining certifications in pet care to build your credibility and expertise.

Safety First:

Prioritise the safety of the dogs in your care. Ensure that you have a sturdy leash and collar, know basic dog body language, and have a plan for handling emergencies. Carry a basic first aid kit and have a list of emergency contacts, including the dogs' owners and local veterinarians.

Building Trust:

Establish trust with your clients by being reliable, punctual, and consistent. Communicate effectively with pet owners, provide updates on walks, and address any concerns promptly. Building strong relationships with both dogs and their owners is key to your success.

Customised Services:

Tailor your services to meet the specific needs of each dog. Some dogs might require longer walks, individual attention, or specific care instructions. Offering personalised services can set you apart from competitors and make your clients feel valued.

Marketing and Branding:

Create a professional brand identity that reflects your values and services. Develop a user-friendly website, use social media platforms to showcase your work, and consider creating informative content about dog care to attract potential clients.

Networking:

Build a network within the local pet community. Partner with veterinarians, pet stores, groomers, and other pet-related businesses to get referrals and increase your visibility. Attending local dog-related events can also help you connect with potential clients.

Time Management:

Efficiently manage your schedule to accommodate multiple clients and their preferred walking times. Use scheduling tools or apps to keep track of appointments, routes, and special requests.

Continual Learning:

Stay updated on the latest trends and advancements in dog care and walking techniques. Attend workshops, read books, and follow industry blogs to enhance your skills and provide the best possible service to your furry clients.

Remember that starting a dog walking business requires dedication, patience, and a genuine love for dogs. By providing excellent care, building strong relationships, and continually improving your skills, you'll be well on your way to a successful venture.

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Dogs

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The five best Twixmassy dog walks in the UK

Your Pets Daily Editor — Fri, 24 Dec 2021 11:20:12 +0000

After Christmas is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a good old-fashioned dog walk with the family to walk off some of the Christmas dinners, just remember to wrap up warm and bring some delicious hot chocolate.

There are so many amazing dog walks available right on our doorstep, and below, Shannon Keary, Digital PR Manager at Canine Cottages, reveals the five best dog walks in the UK to enjoy with your pooch this Christmas.

1. Cheddar Gorge cliff walk, Somerset

England's largest gorge, Cheddar Gorge is one of the UK's finest natural landscapes – and our best dog walking location in the country. Cheddar Gorge Cliff walk is the perfect place to walk your four-legged friend. This four-mile cliff trail allows you to take in all the stunning sights of the gorge, as well as encounter some of the area's unique wildlife. Your dog is sure to love it too!

2. Llyn Padarn Circular, Llanberis, Wales

Llyn Padarn is a glacially formed lake set against some of Snowdonia's most spectacular scenery and is a fantastic place to walk your pooch, even in wintertime. The five-mile circular trail is relatively easy and suitable for all the family, allowing you to walk through the Country park, Coed Dinorwig (an ancient woodland of rare oak trees), Vivian Quarry and the lake itself. You're sure to spot lots of birds and rare flora too – what's not to love?

3. Staithes and Port Mulgrave, North Yorkshire

Staithes is a quaint fishing village near Whitby, and this walk that takes you around Cleveland Way National Trail and across the cliffs to Port Mulgrave harbour is one of the best in the UK. With stunning views of the sea, quiet lanes, paths, and fields for your pooch and the opportunity to amble through the village too, this is a great walk for a full day out. Just make sure to check the forecast before venturing towards the sea!

4. Hastings Country Park, East Sussex

Hastings Country park covers 600 acres of nature trails, wooded valleys, cliffs, and glens, and is a great place for your dog to explore all day long. The views from the clifftop are second to none, reaching across the English Channel – you can even see France on a clear winter day! It's a great wildlife spotting route too, with Peregrines and Yellowhammers roaming the park. There's no shortage of things to explore at Hastings Country Park.

5. Castle Fraser, Aberdeenshire

There are plenty of trails to explore in the grounds of this fairy-tale castle in Aberdeenshire. There are marked trails, but feel free to go off the path and explore the area for yourself. The one-and-a-half-mile Alton Brae Trail is perfect for dogs of all shapes and sizes, allowing you to take in the stunning views of the castle and beyond.

Commenting, Shannon says: "With Christmas coming up and people spending some extra time with friends and family over Twixmas, now is the perfect time to enjoy the wintery scenes and walk the UK has to offer, whether it's exploring the British woodlands, or ambling along the sea on a beach! We only ask that you and your pooch wrap up warm!"

"Our list of the best dog walks in the UK will hopefully help inspire you to take a trip to one of these amazing areas with your dog on a wintery day, or if you're local to the area to go out and explore the beauty that's right on your doorstep!"

To find out more top dog walks in the UK, please visit: https://www.caninecottages.co.uk/guides/uks-best-dog-walks

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New guide to enjoying countryside dog walks launched for Heath Week

Your Pets Daily Editor — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 11:13:12 +0000

A new online film [https://youtu.be/PpWoG0NrDQ4] has been launched for East Devon Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust’s Heath Week (this week), designed to help dog owners and walkers enjoy the great British countryside safely this summer.

The first film featuring dog behaviourist Natalie Light, is the first in a series of five bite-size films featuring top tips to be released over the summer. In each film Natalie shares some valuable advice on how to get a better recall, new games to make walks more fun and some great ideas for working on your dog’s behaviour to cope with distractions when out walking.

These films are the result of a new UK-wide partnership of dog and wildlife organisations including Devon Loves Dogs [https://www.devonlovesdogs.co.uk/], Heathland Hounds, New Forest National Park, Dorset Dogs, South Downs National Park and Bird Aware Solent. The groups have joined forces to work closely on a dog-related projects to form SCCAMP – the Southern Counties Canine Access Management Partnership.

Julie Owen, Devon Loves Dogs Coordinator, said:

Walking is great for our mental and physical health and it is even more enjoyable when we have our four-legged friends with us. I was first inspired by Natalie’s dog training tips a couple of years ago and so working on this series of films has been a great opportunity. Although we cover a large geographical area between us, Natalie’s top tips are really useful wherever you like to walk with your dog. The countryside is getting busier and dog ownership is increasing which means it’s more important than ever that dogs can continue to sniff and explore the countryside in harmony with wildlife and other users.”

With ground-nesting birds on heathland, livestock grazing and a variety of other path users such as horse riders, children and cyclists, there are many times when your dog can be distracted. Getting them to engage with you will help to achieve a happy, safe and stress free walk. At times, you may need your dog to stick to the path or be on the lead for their own and other’s safety. There are a number of hazards that can be harmful to you and your dog. These can include ticks and adders, which will very often hide away in the scrub and vegetation, away from the pathway areas. This new short film gives some great advice on why it is important to do these things for you and your dog’s safety, as well as protecting the beautiful countryside we all love.

Natalie Light said:

I am so pleased to be involved in the work of SCCAMP mostly because it involves so many things I am passionate about. Collaborative working, responsible use of the countryside, and of course, dogs!

With many people enjoying the countryside, especially with more people taking staycations as a result of Covid-19, this new found love for nature with their pet dog can cause increased pressure on our lovely green and pleasant land. Each of the SCCAMP organisations champion positive management of dogs in the countryside by raising awareness of the importance of responsible dog ownership. By joining together they hope more people will take this on board .

Julie added:

This collaborative approach of working in partnership means we can share best practice and work together on joint initiatives that promote consistent and memorable messages.

The members of the group have a wealth of experience and share skills in ecology, conservation, dog behaviour and tourism as well as being enthusiastic dog owners. As a result, we all fully understand the pressures that disturbance by people and dogs can cause on wildlife, within the countryside setting.

Everyone has a responsibility to keep themselves, others and your dog safe, while enjoying the great outdoors and we hope that these new films will highlight the positive activities that you can have with your dog and the countryside. They will give you some great tips to assist you along the way. Watch and share these new films, by following Devon Loves Dogs.

Follow Devon Loves Dogs on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram @DevonLovesDogs

Contact Information

Anne Mountjoy
Marketing and Communications Officer
East Devon District Council
07816 220499
amountjoy@eastdevon.gov.uk

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Dog owners are not cleaning up after their pups

Your Pets Daily Editor — Sat, 01 May 2021 10:27:23 +0000

Walking the dog has become one of the few opportunities to get outside for some fresh air during lockdown, but it has come at a stinking, germ-ridden cost..

A rubbish collection company says that dog poo litter is up 200%, a clear indicator that not all dog owners are cleaning up after their pups. Just as bad are those who bag the poo, and then dump the bag in the street or up a tree.

Divert.co.uk who provide dog poo litter removal for councils and private landowners are alarmed by this increase and the implications this could have for public health and are calling on irresponsible owners to pick up after their dogs.

“It is disgusting to see that some dog owners are failing to pick up after their pets, when it’s an offence and the waste can lead to serious illnesses,” says Divert.co.uk spokesperson Mark Hall.

“There is more poo than people on the streets of the UK right now.”

Lockdown littering

With Lockdown Three in full-swing, current England guidelines allow for people to walk their dog alone, with their households or support bubbles, or while exercising with one person from another household.

Hall: “Walking your dog is important for both pet and owner for exercise, especially while we are all house-bound during the lockdown.

“Unfortunately, thanks to the thoughtless behaviour by a few individuals, dog owners are once again getting a bad reputation due to a massive increase in dog mess on the streets.”

Divert.co.uk believe that due to fewer people being out and about, irresponsible dog owners believe they are less likely to get caught, so are more like to leave the poo and run.

Thankfully, not all dog owners will leave poo on the pavement, as waste campaigners Keep Britain Tidy, who have run high profile campaigns such as the ‘dog poo fairy’, have found that 9 out of 10 dog owners do regularly clean up after their dog.

The 10% who do not clean up after their dog could be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £100 for failing to pick up their dog’s waste, which could go up to £1,000 if the issue goes to court.

“There really is no excuse for this behaviour, especially as the waste can be put into any public bin,” says Hall.

“It’s lockdown laziness, especially those guys who bag the mess, then don’t bin the bag. Get a grip!”

Poo pollution that can make you poorly

Not only is dog poo on the streets unsightly, but it could also be hazardous for you and your family’s health.

In extreme circumstances, contact with dog poo can cause toxocariasis, an infection which can lead to dizziness, nausea, asthma, and in worse case scenarios, blindness, or seizures.

And even more unfortunately, it’s often children who are the poor victims of falling into dog poo and putting themselves at risk of catching a nasty infection.

One girl, aged 5, was traumatised and physically sick after falling face-first into dog poo at a Halifax park, which was poorly disguised under a pile of leaves.

Emelia was walking home from school when she fell, and her mum is now calling for dog owners in the area to be more responsible, especially on busy routes around the school where children are more likely to fall into it.

Likewise, an 18-month-old ended up with a ‘face full of’ dog poo while out on a daily walk with his mother in a pack in Ascot, and just after the first national lockdown, one Scottish family had a close call as their 11-month-old picked up and ate dog poo in a local picnic area.

Hall: “We understand, it’s cold and we’ve had some snow recently, but thinking it’s quiet enough to get away with leaving it is no excuse not to pick up after your dog.

“The snow will eventually melt away, but your dog’s frozen turd will still be there for some poor bugger to step in.”

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Dogs

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Dog owners are not cleaning up after their dogs

dog walking