Many people choose to employ a dog walker to exercise their dog.
It may because of being out at work all day, or physical infirmity, or many other reasons.
There are two things to consider here:
If you’re not enjoying getting out and about with your dog every day, what did you get a dog for?
By abdicating responsibility for his outings, you are handing someone else - possibly not sufficiently skilled - the task of managing and teaching your dog (for your dog is learning every moment of every day!). And this is compounded when your dog is reactive - anxious, shy, “aggressive” . . . Growly.
Knowledge and understanding of reactivity
I’ll take no.2 first.
If you know your dog is reactive, then it may be better for you to avoid having someone else manage his interactions with the outside world.
Dogwalking is an unregulated business. This means that anyone can set up as a dogwalker, with ZERO knowledge of dog training the ordinary dog, never mind a reactive one.
Now, there are some excellent, knowledgeable, dogwalkers. They have studied the subject, they know how to manage a reactive dog, and they’ll be keen to follow your instructions regarding how you do this (force-free and fear-free, of course!).
These unicorn dogwalkers will probably take your dog out solo or with a very small carefully-selected group. Got one of these walkers? HANG ON to them! They are rare beings.
I frequently find that a student dog’s increasing agitation and inability to cope with the existence of other dogs has stemmed from - or been exacerbated by - being walked by one of these inexpert walkers.
And these are the ones who will say, “Yes! Your dog is FINE!” Sadly, they are unaware of what is really going on and therefore have no idea of the damage they may be doing by mishandling the situations that arise.
Dogs are simple souls. And it won’t take many incidents where your dog feels unhappy, for him to don a suit of armour whenever the lead is put on. In other words, his reactivity will increase.
What can I do?
So now you’re saying, “I’m unable to exercise my dog - what on earth can I do?”
And before you plump for all-day daycare, be aware that the same problems exist there. There are very few establishments - in my experience - to whom I would entrust my reactive dog. Like the unicorn dogwalkers, they do exist! But you may have to hunt hard to find them in a location convenient to you.
My own solution, if I have to be out for the day, is to have one of these wonder-walkers visit my home and entertain the dogs there. The active dogs play in the garden with their new friend, the dozy ones enjoy a cuddle instead. The walker can make herself coffee and take a break with them. But they don’t walk anywhere!
If this is you, you are missing out!
Back to Point no.1.
Why did you get a dog?
Presumably to share your life with, to teach, to enjoy, to cuddle, to nurture, to get you out of your armchair and into nature . . .
If you hand what is possibly the most exciting part of your dog’s day to someone else, you are missing out!
You are missing the joy of seeing your dog interact with the world, run, jump, sniff and snuffle, chase frisbees, climb, explore - and seeing his pleasure at doing it all with you.
I realise there are those who for physical reasons are unable to walk their dog. Maybe it would be possible to drive to a suitable place and sit down and enjoy watching their dog’s freedom and joy?
And if you’re out at work all day - how about carving out a space early in the morning or after you get home? Be aware that your dog doesn’t need to be walked every day! This joy should not be a burden. And the reactive dog will benefit hugely from the reduction in stress this will bring.
This is such a valuable part of your dog’s life that you want to make every effort to enjoy it with him!
And if your dog is reactive - he needs YOU to be with him to help him cope with our world.
