What is involved when having your dog walked by PetNanny?
I am supplied with house keys by the majority of my customers so I start doing pick ups first thing, picking the dogs up according to need and their own preferences. Dogs are chosen to go out with each other based on their temperaments and who their friends are.
PetNanny has one van on the road, fitted with made to measure pens. With a heater, ventilators and showers I ensure your dogs are comfortable and, of course, safe whilst in our care. The pens have a soft specially fitted rubber composite flooring and then bedding on top. I have a choice of part covered and part wired pens depending on the dog's preference - not only are the pens comfortable they also meet all requirements for safe, responsible travel whilst on the road. I evolve to match our customers needs and between us we will always find the best way to care for your dog.
Every single walk is chosen based on its suitability for the individual dogs, so not every dog comes out of the van straight away. The dogs who stay in the van have each other for company and the knowledge that they are next for a walk.
Any dogs who do not enjoy travelling out and about with me stay at home until I walk them. I offer a totally flexible service so if you have a preference just ask.
Once all the dogs are walked, the walked dogs happily relaxing in the van with their friends, I then feed and water any pups or older dogs that need it. Now it's sleep time. My dogs tend to prefer a snooze before being dropped off home, so I let them snooze while I have lunch or visit house dogs for a break or a training session.
After their snooze, I get them out for an afternoon tootle allowing them a wee after their drink. Pups and infirm dogs will go out as much as they require in between. This is the best time for a bit of one to one affection (we all enjoy that) as they aren't impatient for a walk and are feeling calm and relaxed.
Next is the drop offs. I love to see the dogs delighted to come out with me and relaxed when they go home. Having already been showered , dried off, kept warm with my heater, you have a dry clean dog to come home to. Once all locked up and safe at home, off I go to drop off the rest.
Vet visits, grooming appointments, dog food pick ups and all manner of other duties are fitted around all of this.
All dogs are assessed and slowly introduced to my system, the other dogs and of course me! I do this at the dog's own speed, taking as long as is needed to make sure your dog is comfortable. If it takes time to acclimatise them with mixing, travelling and anything else I take the time it takes.
How many dogs do you walk?
I limit the number of dogs I walk. I often have a waiting list and will not take dogs on past my preferred limit. I guarantee the highest standard of care, and that I will still manage to walk all of my dogs if there are any hold ups (this happens we are working with animals after all), so I must restrict the number of dogs I look after.
Where do you walk the dogs?
Here in County Durham and Northumberland we are very fortunate to have every combination of walk available to us. Whether it be fell, field, hill, woodland or seaside, we have the freedom to walk off lead and enjoy all this area has to offer. With most things in life this comes with a flip side! With all the different terrains and walking areas are challenges and requirements, so I train for all variables I can:
- habituation to stock and horses
- respectful practices around crops (a farmer's livelihood)
- our version of the highway code (think children's code with leads)
- good manners around other walkers, dog walkers, horse riders, cyclists, and
- sensible wildlife/dog management.
Do you have a pet first aid certificate?
I believe that you, the owner, and I, as your dog walker, have a shared responsibly to keep our charges physically fit and well so I am a trained first aider. I am not only trained to deal with emergencies, but also to prevent incidents accidents or heat exhaustion developing in the first place. I can administer medication, though I no longer do injections.
Do you have public liability insurance?
I have full public liability insurance, which covers care, custody & control, key cover, training and handling of multiple dogs.
Do you let dogs off lead?
Every dog and owner has different requirements, so the decision about whether or not to let your dog off lead is entirely yours.
Dogs benefit from letting off steam and playing with their own kind, learning the important lessons of life whilst you work and play so we aim for stimulating and satisfying walks with different terrains, play, socialising and simply being a dog!
Having said that, every dog has its own needs, so I tailor the walks to meet those needs:
- Elderly and infirm dogs can saunter at their own speed
- We are happy to continue with any training requirements you may have using kind, effective methods
- We aim to bridge the gaps in your dogs life when you can
- We want you to enjoy a content, well behaved, happy dog when you come home
- We specialise in training pet dogs that owners can be proud of
- Many of the dogs that come to us are shy, very young, used to being the only one
- Many of our dogs are over the top or reactive and noisy when meeting dogs on walks so we take as long as we need to train them and educate them to all things dog.
