Dogs

Question: If you own a dog, would you consider me to walk your dog for you?

(Posted by: John S on 2010-03-09 12:08:31)

I am thinking about dog walking in my local community but i'm not sure what people would make of a 16 year old dog walker. Some of the things I would advertise is that I have 14 years of Dog Ownership experience, I have a passion for dogs and i'm CRB Police Checked. Also I would let them know more about me e.g that i'm studying Geography, ICT and Maths in 6th Form. Also i'll get references from friends, family and maybe teachers at my school. So if you own a dog, would you consider me to walk your dog for you? Thanks for taking time to read and answer my question.

Posted by: Lilly on 2010-03-09, 12:18:40

You sound very qualified and dedicated I would let you walk my dog

Posted by: EssJay Ö Think before you breed on 2010-03-09, 12:11:45

I would, yes. However you should also look at getting indemnity insurance if you want to do this. Good luck ! #

Posted by: Bells IS Suspended on 2010-03-09, 12:13:23

Yes, why not The only thing that I would look into is a contract...to prevent any harm to you or the dog.

Posted by: b on 2010-03-09, 12:13:29

No, i wouldn't. You are 16 how can you have owned a dog for 14 years, you cant, that makes you not trustworthy

Posted by: Rylie☮ on 2010-03-09, 12:14:16

Ya, if you are so expierienced with dogs so yaaaa. I started babysitting when i was 11

Posted by: WyrDachsie on 2010-03-09, 12:14:36

No. Since you are not an adult (18 and over), I can not make a contract with you that is legal. Also, if something happens, I could not hold you responsible simply because you are a minor and ultimately, I will be responsible for your actions.

Posted by: 1clyde on 2010-03-09, 12:16:12

I would not, however that is only because my dog is a guard dog, and he would proberbly bite you..lol, but I would under normall curcumstances yes, you seem intrested, and aware around dogs. Also I would make it required that your clients' dogs have all shots, so if you get nipped by one you will be ok

Posted by: snoppy on 2010-03-09, 12:19:33

Yes i would make sure you go out with the owners as well the 1st few times so the dog is use to you and you could get them to take it off the lead and make sure he comes back to you calling then you could build up the walks to letting it of the lead for a run

Posted by: Stacey on 2010-03-09, 12:25:15

Unless you were a family member, then no I would not hire you. Not because I don't think you are trustworthy but as a minor there are many legal issues to consider.

Posted by: patty k on 2010-03-09, 12:36:59

I would but loose the 14 yr experience you are only 16! Sounds silly. Have you ever thought of volunteering at your shelter? Great experience and would look good on a college application and the experience working with those dogs would impress a potential client

Posted by: Herbie & Fern- *CRUFTS* yey on 2010-03-09, 12:37:52

I'm studying Geography too! No, but that is because I am fussy about who can walk my dogs. I don't even trust my own mum. My mongrel is grouchy with other dogs, and can get snappy. He pulls like a train and has a very unreliable recall with people who aren't me. He also gets frisky and wild when with someone else. Oh and sometimes he runs away because he doesn't like being walked by people outside of our immediate family. My Spaniel, is a working dog so if anyone else walked her anyway, it would mess her up and confuse her. She needs to be kept on a lead, unless I am working/ training her- and on a lead she pulls. If I wasn't so fussy and my dogs weren't so difficult, then maybe. I know a lot of people who have asked me if I'd walk their dogs for them and I'm 16. But am also very involved with dogs eg I work mine, I help out at training classes etc.

Posted by: NJ Devils Girl :) on 2010-03-09, 12:39:46

Yes I would but first I would. Write a resume a show them your dog owning experience.

Posted by: Colonel Chaos on 2010-03-09, 12:59:14

Probably not, because of the legal issues as well, but, everyone trains their dog differently, and unless you really know the dog, owner and dog, what commands the owner uses for what situation and such. I don't let anyone but my parents even hold my dog when going anywhere. I don't trust other people, even friends, to keep as close an eye on him as I have to- because he is an extremely friendly working dog who doesn't know his own strength, and, I for one do not feel comfortable allowing someone besides myself or my parents to handle him. But if, through this, you still really want to walk dogs, detail your dog experience more thoroughly. Have you shown dogs? How often do you train your dog? What kinds of dogs are you used to being around? Just because your family has owned dogs does not mean you have 'experience' with them. Especially not as a young child. True, you may have learned that pulling a dogs tail would most likely get you bitten, but it doesnt teach you anything on how to handle a dog if another dog is approaching threateningly. I would talk less about my schooling and more about my dog experience.