05/05/2025
You’re in the driver's seat when choosing a dog walker for YOUR dog.
Hiring a dog walker is a big decision. Your dog’s safety and happiness depend on it. Instead of feeling pressured to see if your dog ‘fits’ in with them, see this as your chance to interview the dog walker. You’re evaluating them to find the best fit for YOUR dog - not the other way around.
The reason you should interview the dog walker is because your dog is a special part of your family and has unique needs.
A walk provides exercise and emotional security, so when you meet up with the potential candidate, assess their skills, their approach, and connection with your dog. This helps you choose someone who meets your dog’s needs and will help you feel less worried about your dog in their care.
👀Look on areas to judge the walker’s suitability:
Notice how the walker approaches your dog - how do they interact with them? Do they move calmly, giving your dog space to feel comfortable? A skilled walker will read your dog’s body language and respond with patience, perhaps using treats or praise to begin to build trust. E.G., if your dog is shy, do they slow down and give your dog space, and let your dog approach at their own pace?
If your dog is jumpy, ask how the walker would handle it. Their advice should focus on managing the environment to set the dog up for success and positive reinforcement. They might suggest redirecting the undesirable behaviour with a basic competing task like “sit” paired with a treat, or only respond positively and reward when the dog is not jumping. Look for kind, practical methods that encourage desired behaviour without adding any stress.
It’s ok to ask about their methods!
Do they use current, science-based techniques? E.G, if your dog pulls on the lead, a good walker might recommend a ‘Y-shaped’ harness and reward-based training for loose-lead walking. Their answers should show they understand how dogs learn through positive experiences.
❗️Red Flags to Avoid
Some methods can harm your dog’s physical and emotional well-being. Be careful if the walker suggests approaches that rely on correction or intimidation. These outdated techniques can increase fear and anxiety.
Correction-based methods - These involve punishing unwanted behaviour, such as yanking the lead, using e-collars, choke/prong collars, or shouting. These methods might seem like quick solutions, especially when a walker manages several dogs at once and lacks experience or patience. However, even a seemingly simple 'correction' like jerking the lead to stop pulling can cause a dog discomfort and stress, which may lead to the dog feeling insecure and unsafe.
Intimidation tactics - These include looming over a dog, staring them down, or using a harsh tone to “establish control.”
These actions can scare your dog, possibly leading to defensive behaviours like cowering or unpredictable reactivity, or aggression over time.
A walker using these tactics might claim they need to “show the dog who's boss or pack leader”. They might have unrealistic expectations about how quickly a dog should learn or behave 'perfectly'. This completely disregards the principles of how dogs learn most effectively—making sure the dog feels safe FIRST! Going slow, building trust, and using reward-based methods.
𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝘃𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.
• If my dog gets overly excited and starts jumping, how would you respond?
• What would you do if my dog became fearful or reactive to something during the walk?
• Do you have any formal qualifications in dog behaviour or training?
• How would you help my dog settle if they’re nervous on a walk?
• What's your protocol if a dog in your care gets into a minor scuffle with another dog?
• What are your thoughts on using aversive tools like e-collar, prong or choke collars?
Expect answers like:
"I primarily focus on positive reinforcement methods like treats, praise, and positive interactions to encourage desired behaviours".
"If a dog is pulling, for example, I would focus on training techniques that address the underlying reason for the pulling, such as rewarding loose-leash walking and managing the environment, rather than relying on physical corrections."
Avoid answers that sound like:
"Oh, they're great! They really get a dog's attention and teach them quickly."
"They're perfectly safe if used correctly. You just need to know how to handle them."
"Some dogs just need that kind of correction to learn. Positive methods don't always work."
🟢Positive reinforcement methods are effective because they approach training by focusing on the dog's emotional security with safety. This builds a foundation of trust, creates confidence, and improves motivation, making the dog a more willing and attentive learner. Reward-based learning creates a happier experience for the dog and strengthens the relationship between the caregiver and dog.
Science-based empathy-driven methods that use positive reinforcement encourage desired behaviours, such as calmly walking on a lead or happily coming when called through treats, praise, or play. Research backs this - A 2017 study in Applied Animal Behaviour Science found dogs trained with positive methods showed fewer stress behaviours than those trained with corrections[1].
Above all else, trust your dog's reactions. Their response is a reliable guide when choosing a dog walker. A relaxed and happy demeanour around a potential walker is a great sign. However, if they appear tense or avoidant, it's wise to consider another candidate.
Remember, you're not just hiring someone for walks; you're choosing a caregiver who will play a role in your dog's life. Their interactions in your absence can have a lasting effect on behaviour.
These individuals become part of your dog's world, and how they handle your dog can shape your dog's emotional state, which can influence their behaviour at home.
Positive, reward-based approaches, such as creating safe, secure environments and rewarding desired behaviours with praise or treats, build confidence and reduce stress. This positive experience and impact extend beyond the walk, leading to a more relaxed and responsive dog at home. Alternatively, harsh methods like leash corrections, shouting, or intimidation can increase anxiety, potentially contributing to issues like restlessness or unpredictable reactivity.
Take your time! Ask thoughtful questions. Pay attention to responses and interactions carefully. You’re in charge, and your dog deserves the best!
If you're having ongoing trouble with difficult dog behaviours, it's best to find a qualified behaviourist or trainer for help.
https://repositorio-aberto.up.pt/bitstream/10216/134198/1/Vieira%20de%20Castro%20et%20al%20%282019%29%20.pdf
[1] Vieira de Castro, A. C., Barrett, J., de Sousa, L., & Olsson, I. A. S. (2017). Carrots versus sticks: The relationship between training methods and stress-related behaviours in dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 196, 65-71.
