24/06/2026
Well I’m glad I’m not mumsnet.com dog walker!
We never want to cancel walks, we don’t make enough money to cancel walks to have a fun day out in the sun 🌞
The dogs’ welfare will always come first for me. On hot days, rather than risking a walk in unsafe temperatures, I’ll swap to things like river walks if you’re close enough, garden visits, toilet breaks at home, shaded playtime and plenty of company. There’s always another way to keep them happy, stimulated and cared for while staying safe.
At the end of the day, dog walking is my livelihood and, like any other business, I still have bills, overheads and commitments to cover. When temperatures become unsafe for walks, that’s completely outside of my control, but the dogs’ welfare has to come first every single time.
For me, clients aren’t just paying for a walk on a specific day. They’re paying for a reliable, professional service, my experience, my availability, and the peace of mind that I’ll always make the right decision for their dog’s wellbeing. The time has still been set aside and reserved in my diary, whether that visit becomes a walk or a safer alternative.
If an owner decides they don’t want an alternative visit, that’s completely their choice and I absolutely respect that.
Thank you to everyone who understands that. I’m incredibly lucky to have such wonderful clients, and I know the vast majority would much rather I put their dogs’ welfare first. It genuinely means a lot. ❤️🐾
I'm wondering if I'm not thinking straight here. Obviously it's too hot to take our dogs out for a walk at 1pm. We have a dog walker twice a week and...
