Hi All,
This is a general question (or two) for all dog owners.
I am trying out a few dog walkers for my dog and these are my feelings regarding the experience, and I wonder if anyone else feels the same.
My issues with dog walkers:
1) They seem too laid back, for eg: if I approach a road, I'd make sure that I have my dog on leash or on 'heel', both dog walkers I tried were quite casual with their group of 4-5 dogs when crossing (albeit a quiet) road. However, it could be quiet, but only needs one car to come speeding thru' and your dog could be harmed! So why don't they show more concern and vigilance? I am afraid that the dogs may run into an oncoming car! I saw a dog from the group that lagged behind, alone on a road. Arrgh...
2) Same laid back attitude where people are concerned, my dog will approach a person if they are eating or if there's a campfire with people, I am always proactive enough to either leash or get my dog to 'heel' before he can go near a group of picnickers. Both dog walkers again, seemed far too relaxed and I can't see how they would be able to control it, if 1 dog from the group (mine or another dog) would approach people/food. I am afraid that the group might get angry if their food/spread is disturbed by a dog and that they may harm it or scare it badly.
What do you think? And how do I feel more comfortable with this situation?
I have been looking, but haven't found anyone who would walk just 1 or 2 dogs at a time and be better able to control them, within a reasonable price frame. Has anybody found this wonderful dog walker yet near Kilchberg area? If so, much appreciate if you'd pass on the contact details.
I'm still fairly new in the city and don't have close trustworthy friends that I'd ask them to walk my dog for an hour while I need it. I had an arrangement with friends back home that we'd walk each others' dogs when needed and would care for/look after them as we would our own. Hate this walking large groups of dogs off-leash business! There... I've vented

You may find the Swiss have a "split personality" when it comes to dogs... on the one hand they are incredibly relaxed and yet they can also get their knickers in a real twist.

I too agree that dogs off the leash near a road is dangerous. I always leash my dog near roads but out in the woods I must admit she has free reign. All dogs love food and she certainly will do her best to beg... But I also know her well enough to be able to call her away and she is a cute little yorkie pup anyway

I would simply suggest you actually tell your dog walked your concerns... a bit like kids, we all have a slightly different routine with our dogs and so I would simply explain what you would like them to do.

Lynn,
Thank God! You agree about the road situation... I have been recently feeling quite the neurotic doggy mother. LOL
I do let mine off leash and he runs about like a nutter in the woods, but near roads he's right next to me.
And like yours and most other dogs, mine too loves food and wants to have a go at begging or helping himself, but will come when I call him, so its up to me to know his intentions and stop him before he goes over. Plus he is laaarge, he just thinks he is a small cute pup!
I did tell the dog walker my concerns, however she kinda brushed it aside saying she's always careful and then I see one of her pack left behind the group, happily sniffing away in the middle of the road. Is probably what gave me my chest pains.
I'm hoping I'll find someone good.
I can see what you say about Swissies having split personality regarding dogs, this woman I see locally is super sensitive and screams bloody murder when any dog so much as tries to hump her neutered dog, yet is calmly, gently calling her dog who's chasing after a cat... you guessed it... on the road. Hmm... which would be more harmful?
Really, I do need to shut up about dogs on roads.

Oh well I know the feeling... my scamp managed to stage an escape out of the garden and ran into the road... boy I thought my heart would stop!

The best thing I can suggest is making friends with someone in your neighbourhood who owns a doggy too... I am a crazy dog mum and I'm proud to admit it so I'm really fussy about who gets to take me dog unsupervised by me.

As a kid, one of my holiday jobs was taking dogs for a walk for friends of the family, so perhaps you could find a responsible kid? Try posting something up or I think under the jobs section there are already some adverts for that.

If I lived near you I'd offer to help but...

My dog is small but boy she thinks shes a big one!