Andrea McHugh reports on the hugely popular business of professional dog walking.
CARING FOR YOUR DOG
It is estimated that 2.5 million dogs were acquired during the lockdown years and certainly there’s never been a busier time for professional dog walkers. Unfortunately, the dog walking industry is unregulated, and owners need to do their homework to ensure their beloved pet is safe and well cared for by the walker they choose.
We talked to Katrina Swatton, owner of Buddies Dog Walking in the Vale of Belvoir, covering South Nottinghamshire and North Leicestershire, and client Kate Faulkner, from Long Bennington, Lincolnshire, to find out more. Interestingly, Kate Faulkner, owner of seven-year-old Dalmatian Wiz and three-year-old Jack Russell Charley, was initially very much against using a dog walker. But now she is a confirmed convert and says her dogs have never been happier.
Kate is founder of the website propertychecklists.co.uk and regularly features on BBC TV and radio programmes to talk about the residential sales market. She loves dogs and admits that she could never understand why anyone would use a dog walker. All that changed when Charley joined the family three years ago, as devoted little sister to Wiz.
“I always thought that using a dog walker would spoil my fun,” said Kate. “But then I got Charley, at pretty much the same time as the pandemic, and became worried about her separation anxiety as she constantly wanted to be with Wiz, who needed a break from her sometimes. I saw a social media post recommending Katrina and by chance met her on a walk. After a good chat, we arranged for her to take Wiz out.
“As an owner you do feel nervous when your dog first goes out with a dog walker. I kept hoping Wiz was behaving! It’s vital to be honest with your dog walker about your dog’s personality. There had been so many new dogs out on our walks during Covid that I’d had to keep Wiz on a lead more and more. However, I needn’t have worried, as he was great, and Katrina was so calm.
“Nowadays, both of my dogs go on group walks with Katrina. It helps with their socialisation, gives them a good time, and enables me to work without distractions. I also book Katrina for occasional dog sitting. Everything remains the same for them — they sleep on the bed like always and hardly notice I’ve gone!
“Now, when Katrina arrives to take them for a walk, the dogs go nuts, and can’t wait to leave, so I know she’s just the right person.” Katrina has been a professional dog walker for almost six years.
