The 4 worst Dog Walker Scams – are you being duped?

At Perfect Pet Sitter we care for your pets as you would. For example, when living-in and minding our clients dogs we walk them daily. Exercise is included free because we know the importance of exercise to dogs - that means running, playing and above all, MOVING. So you never see Perfect Pet Sitter stand around when taking your dogs out.

NB  Three of us took out four dogs (not one walker to four). Me (taking pic) with Amber & Freya, Gail was responsible for Zara & Claire (not pictured) came for the fun with her own dog Elly.

We take  photos of your dog during their outing however, we’ve taken things much further by embracing  smartphone GPS technology. I use an App called STRAVA which records detailed data including:- 

• a GPS recorded Map showing every footstep
• the time of day your dog's exercise began
• where we were
• the start and finish points
• the distance covered
• Elapsed time (Elapsed is the total time your dog was out).

Immediately the walk ends I send my Clients who are away or on holiday a link by email or text which takes them to my Strava account. With one click they see not only photos but also the map and the comprehensive data. - click HERE to see a live version but examples are also below:

It’s easy to do – so why don't those who walk dogs for a living do this? I’m afraid the truth is that with some ‘dog walkers’, the last thing they would want is for you to see exactly how little they actually do. 

Beware of Dog Walker Scams!

I know from what I see at my local Oval there are a significant number of walkers who are not worthy of the name. And these people would hate you to find out that although you're paying for an hour your dog is lucky if it gets 30 minutes - and a lot of that spent in one place. Could your walker be one of these? How do you know what they’re up to if they give you nothing but the bill?

THE TOP 4 SCAMS:
Here is what typically happens with some of these people who simply see your dog as $.

SCAM ONE: PILE 'EM HIGH

Professional Dog Walkers stick to the legal maximum – 4 dogs to one person. But the Scammer regularly exceeds the legal maximum number of dogs: it is common to see 5 dogs per person – but some bring 6 and even 7. With so many the ‘walker’ cannot possibly keep a proper watch on each one so your dog gets left to it’s own devices for long periods.

Walkers who don’t care about breaking the law by taking too many dogs are the self same ones who ‘accidentally miss’ or ‘happen not to see’ poos dogs in their group are doing. Stray excrement is left for other people to clear up -  not something I enjoy doing but it cannot be left.

SCAM TWO: HALF TIMERS
You booked and are paying for say, an hour, and believe your dog is going to get a full 60 mins exercise, right?  WRONG - with some of these jokers you’ll be lucky your dog gets 30  minutes. How do I know? Because during my hour walks my dogs and I move the whole time (as you will see by some of my maps attached).  But after I’ve been walking a time I frequently see the Scammer Walkers arriving (often with too many dogs). When I am still there walking to continue my hour, I see these same groups leaving. They arrive after me and leave when I am still there completing my hour -  their time there?  30-35mins on average.

SCAM THREE: TOO MUCH TALKING, NOT ENOUGH WALKING
This one infuriates me above all – even while having your dog out half the time they are supposed to  - your dog may not even benefit from that short time. Why? Because Scammer Walkers meet up with their mates – there might be two or three ‘walkers’ supposedly watching 5 to 7 dogs each. But I see them standing on the spot - not doing any WALKING - but doing plenty of TALKING.

Occasionally a ball is given a cursory throw. But some of the dogs are on leads and going nowhere. The others that are loose are not being watched and often get into scrapes, or even fights, because they are not doing what they want – which is to move with their pack.

SCAM FOUR: RISK TAKING
Not insured. Every dog walker should have professional indemnity – Scammer walkers rarely do.

Summary

I am not a dog walker but do know a few good dog walking professionals who I totally trust, respect and am happy to recommend. They carry out the exercise time they contract, stick to the legal number of dogs, and they do the ‘Walkie Talkie’ (that is, keep moving with their dogs and not simply stand around) and they genuinely care for their Clients' dogs.

HOW TO ELIMINATE THE SCAMMERS & FIND A GOOD WALKER
So, lets not mince words – not all dog walkers are the same. and some are downright bad. Not only are they unprofessional, but there are some real horror stories about  ‘walkers’ who are, in reality, nothing less than Frauds. Here's my guide to finding a good walker:

Zara, a regular, at Graham Res

DON’T haggle to get a ‘bargain’ walk.  If a walker is willing to discount alarm bells should ring! It is not cheap when your dog ends up getting half the time you’re paying for joining an illegal 5+ pack. They can be standing like a statue or left running around on their own and  not being monitored because the walker is too busy chatting to know, or care, where they are. 

DO get two or more recommendations - even walkers who do not discount will not necessarily be professional in everything they do. 
Most of all, do ask the following:-
1) What is the maximum number of dogs you take out to each walker?
2) Will my dog get 60 mins (or whatever you are paying for) exercise?
3) Where do you take my dog and do you meet with other walkers?
4) Do you have full business insurance covering you to walk dogs?

FINALLY    
Unless you ask, how do you know what your walker is up to? If you want your dog to be safe and exercised properly do your homework. Be careful about booking someone based on trust - until you know for sure you can. Your dog, their welfare and their safety, are too important.

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I am only able to attach to this blog a minute number of the hundreds of logged walks and photos we have on record from when we exercise the dogs we live in and look after. Example Hunter - a big and active Wire Haired Pointer - took her for a special outing to Centennial Park for a terrific run in the woods there. Also pictured Freya (Lab X Boxer) playing with Toffee (RR).  Jake and Benny Border Collies. Also pictures of Elly my daughter's Boxer playing with Hunter at Bay View. No wonder the dogs I care for round the clock miss me when I go!

Lilo, Amber, Leo & Indi - a Perfect Pet Sitter Perfect pack!

Hunter & Elly at Bay View

Freya & Amber at Bantry Bay

Freya at Graham Reserve

Freya playing with Toffee 

Hunter at Centennial Park

My 'mates' when I'm at home, Jake & Benny

If you wish to be put in touch with a good dog walker feel free to call me and I will be happy to recommend. For info call me on  0422 359 278

Unique 3 step check to finding the best breed for you

‘What breed will fit with our lifestyle?’ Perfect Pet Sitter believes this is a key question everyone should ask themselves before taking on the responsibility of a dog. Here are some really helpful pointers to answer this vital question.

A good place to find out more is to understand why breeds are categorised into 7 dog Groups:

Gun dog group

Hound

Pastoral

Terrier

Toy

Utility

Working group

Extensive information is available on line about each of the 7 Groups where you will find descriptions of look, size, personality and traits of every breed.  As well as being highly informative, you discover surprising facts. For example, wouldn’t you think Border Collies would be classified as working dogs? In fact they are in the Pastoral dog Group where you find many cattle/herding dogs – but also, and looking out of place, Corgis. However, they were herding dogs centuries ago.

Once you’ve looked at the Groups, a key next step is to take an honest and objective look at your circumstances. Doing this can make the difference between making a great match – or doggie disaster.

PERFECT PET SITTER'S 3 STEP CHECK:

Physical match:

Size is a very obvious first factor to keep in mind as we are often drawn by the size of a dog. Some large breeds are ‘all show and no go’ such as Great Danes who, whilst big, don’t need masses of exercise. But others are big AND strong AND active (such as Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Weimaraners and Pointers.) Keep in mind big dogs (especially when pups) can be clumsy. As such they might not ideal for a family with small children who can get bowled over.

As a potential owner it's helpful to keep in mind your age and physical limits when taking on a big dog. As we age and so does our big dog, will we be able to lift them to help them in and out of the car if needed? 

Zara one of our regulars finding another RR to play with

Example, someone I know had a Rhodesian Ridgeback who had been quiet & sedate for years before he eventually died at 12.  Missing him she bought a beautiful RR puppy. This puppy is only 10 months but is already big and very powerful. Also, like every other puppy, she’s living up to her job description of playing, jumping, lunging and pulling. This challenging puppy phase can last two years. I can't help thinking that for this petite lady, now in her 70’s, a doggie down size might have been a better option as she will be in her 80's when her dog is 10.

Nice little dogs, Chilli & Jack Russell cheeky Sie

When we realise a large dog is no longer practical, it could be time to ‘doggie down size’. For a small dog with a great personality, check out Jack Russells. JRs - big dogs that happen to be in little bodies – active, feisty and full of doggitude. I’ve got to know many of them as Perfect Pet Sitter and the more I meet, the more I like them. But some can be inclined to nip unless the have an experienced dog owner. 

I've looked after Cavoodles and Shitzu crosses and all have their own endearing ways. Ideal is to chat to someone who already owns a breed you are thinking about and ask them some questions (although keep in mind, most people will favour their choice and tell you their breed is best!)

Molly aka the Moppet: -
cute little Shitzu!

Energy match: 

Most dogs need to be taken out daily – ideally for an hour. In some cases some breeds would be happier with more than that. (In my previous blog I compared two highly active dogs – one from the Gun Dog Group (a Pointer) with a dog from the Pastoral Group [a Border Collie]  *You can view that blog here). Be honest - do you have not just the energy, but the willingness to devote the time needed to exercise if it's an active breed you’re considering? Will you take them out every day?  If that's not realistic then fine, but look for a breed that will not be stressed if it misses a walk occasionally and/or doesn’t need long walks.
Here are just a few examples:
British Bulldog; Greyhound; Pug.

Fabulous Freya - Lab X Boxer

Environmental match:
Your dog’s environment is vital. A home with small children means you need a dog that can cope with rough and tumble and never retaliate. So a very small dog could get hurt by children who sometimes don’t realise their strength. Equally, as mentioned earlier, big dogs are sometimes clumsy and can unintentionally knock children off their feet.

And what about your home? Dogs need somewhere sheltered from heat, sun, rain and cold – and they need to be safe. If you have to work, where will your dog be housed during the day? If indoors will it have access to the outside? If outside is it going to bother your neighbours barking because it’s bored? Most of all, can you truly give a dog the life it deserves?

On the left is a cracking cross - Freya. She is half boxer and half Labrador and her nature is a wonderful mixture of both breeds. She lives with a two year old boy and is bomb proof. He can climb on her, pull her ears - the lot - she simply walks away if she's had enough!

          

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There are so many wonderful dogs it really is worth the time to do a little homework to find the right one for you.

Taking the time to do that research and answer the above questions could help match you with the right breed so you can look forward to many years of pleasure with your chosen furpal.

TOP TIP

Every dog needs a place in the home where it can retreat and know it will be left in peace. It’s own bed in, ideally in a corner, where it can be quiet and relax and know it will not be disturbed. This is a key factor in a dog’s mental welfare. If children are new to dogs they need to know when the family puppy (or adult dog) goes to their bed, they should not be disturbed.

Battle of the breeds! Which is the best dog?

Being the Perfect Pet Sitter, providing a premium pet minding service for dogs in their own homes, plus with practical experience of many different breeds, people have asked me what I think is the best dog.  But the question is not what’s the best dog, but which breed of dog will work best with you, your family and lifestyle.

Most people tend to start with a preference for size and the look of a dog such as the following.  

I was walking Border Collies Jake & Benny when a man jogging past  stopped to talk. He said he’d owned a Border Collie in the past, and his family were now considering either a Border, or a possibly a Pointer (but he’d had no experience of Gun Dogs).  By default he was choosing between two of the main 7 dog Groups Gun Dog Group  vrs Pastoral Group 

In the UK I owned a pair of GSPs (Gun dog Group) and between my pet sitting bookings in Sydney I live with Border Collies Jake & Benny (Pastoral dog Group). With first hand experience of both breeds I’ve noticed both GSPs and Borders have traits in common. Example, unlike similar sized breeds such as Labradors or Golden Retrievers, they’re one person/family dogs, and rarely interested in people outside their immediate circle. A plus or minus? Depends on what you’re looking for.

Both breeds share have a strong need for exercise – at the very least an hour daily. In which case a home where someone jogs or runs is perfect -  the right kind of exercise and great company for the runner,  so a win win.

Let Battle Commence!

Gun Dog Group

I found my German Shorthaired Pointers to be superb family dogs - wonderfully athletic, heaps of fun, and very good with children. However, knowing my own (and other) GSPs, they do vary in intelligence. 

Our first rescue GSP was Flash age 2. He was a lovely dog, but to be frank, he was not terribly bright – and he arrived obsessed with tennis balls (balls are like drugs to Pointers). Our second GSP rescue, Harry, joined us some years later. Harry was another story completely, exceptionally smart - and became my dog of a lifetime. 

Intelligence aside, exercise means the world to GSPs. But crucially after a good run back home Pointers settle down and sleep – a big plus.

Pastoral dog Group
My experience with Border Collies Jake & Benny (and others we’ve provided with 24/7 care) has impressed me. They are super smart and loyal dogs and don’t stray.  When you’re out no need to keep calling them, they’re always watching  and keeping track of where you are. 

There are, however, practical issues with Border Collies.  Australian summers and the heat makes life tough in those thick coats (and ticks hard to find).  Regular brushing is vital to avoid matting. Clipping through summer and professional grooming all year round is also highly recommended. 

Coat differences aside, the biggest thing about Border Collies is that they were bred as working dogs. Their stamina is legendary and they could easily run 25-35 Ks a day when herding sheep or cattle. 


Both breeds are highly active and not necessarily well suited to life in the  suburbs. But of the two, Borders have an insatiable appetite for exercise. Not only that, they are so smart means they need to be challenged. If you are even considering a Border Collie, here are 3 questions to ask: 
Would you be prepared to stimulate your Border by Agility, Fly ball or Obedience training? 
Are you truly prepared to be a devote at least one hour ideally two – each day for their exercise sessions? 
Do you have acres of land where  a Border could roam? 

So - who wins the battle of these breeds – Border or Pointer? 

If you can honestly answer ‘Yes’ to at least one of the above then a Border can be a great pet. Otherwise (and particularly if you have young children) I’d strongly recommend a Pointer of some kind – GSP, Wire Haired, English Pointer. 

My next blog will expand on how to find the best breed match for you, your family and lifestyle in more depth. We’ll look at how to make an objective assessment  by using Perfect Pet Sitter’s 3 step check and investigate the 7 major Dog Groups.