FAQs

SERVICE

What services do you offer?  I offer a 1-1 dog walking service and a daytime dog sitting service in the client home. Both are charged by the hour. I also offer an overnight pet sitting service in the client home, for which I am joined by my 5 year old Jack Russell, Ted. 

Do you cover my area?  I currently cover Oundle and most of the surrounding villages including Glapthorn, Benefield, Cotterstock, Tansor, Fotheringhay, Southwick, Barnwell, Polebrook, Warmington and Stoke Doyle.  If your location is not listed here please contact me to enquire.    

What are your working hours?  My standard working hours are 8.30am-5pm Monday to Friday. I offer weekend and public holiday services, charged at a non-standard hourly rate. I do not take regular (weekly) bookings for weekends. 

I need my dog walking tomorrow, can you do it?  I try to be as flexible as I can be. I can take bookings at short notice as long you are registered with me (or we can arrange a time to get you registered) and I have the availability that you need. (For my registration process, please see below) 

Will our dog(s) be let off the lead?  In the first instance it is up to you, the owner, to decide whether or not you want your dog walking off lead or not. If you do, then you will need to sign the off lead consent form during registration. However, it is then down to my discretion as to when  I feel your dog is ready to be let off while  being walked by me. If I have any concern as to a dog’s recall to me, then I will not let them off. 

Why don’t you walk groups?  I don’t offer group walks with dogs from different households for a few reasons. Firstly it is important to me to be able to control dogs in my care. Secondly, when a client pays me to look after their dog(s) I believe that my attention should be undivided to him/her/them. Thirdly, being Dog First Aid trained, I cannot see how I could offer first aid to a single dog when I have other dogs in my care running around at the same time, therefore putting themselves and the injured dog at risk.  

Will my dog ever be walked with any other dogs?  No, I don’t mix households. The only exception to this would be if you have a single dog and you ideally want some calm socialisation for him/her; in that instance I can bring my 5 yr old Jack Russell along for walks. 

Where do you walk?  Having a farming background I prefer to walk more rural routes; along public footpaths in fields and woodlands. There is much for dogs to find, explore, sniff and be enriched by in a rural environment. However, if you would prefer your dog to be walked in a town or village, please just mention this to me during our initial meeting.  

Does the walk have to be an hour?  My time is charged by the hour, but if you have a young pup or a more senior dog who doesn’t need a full hours walk (or you just have a dog that prefers a shorter walk!) then I can play with your dog in the home for the remainder of the hour. 

Do you offer dog sitting?  Yes, I do. If you have a dog who requires company at home then I offer sitting by the hour during the daytime. I also offer overnight sitting in the client home.

Can you look after my dog for a whole day?  I offer dog sitting in the client home, but I do not offer whole day sitting due to other regular bookings throughout the week. If my diary allows, I can make multiple visits to your dog in a day. I can offer whole day sitting at weekends, subject to my availability and Ted joining me. 

Do you offer day boarding?  No, I do not take clients’ dogs into my home.

Do you only take regular bookings?  I take regular bookings and ad hoc bookings, though unless you have a regular slot booked with me I cannot guarantee availability. 

Do you pick up my dog(s) in your car and take them out?  No. I collect and walk from your home in order to ensure that your dog has the full hour of exercise and stimulation that you’re paying for. 

Will you give my dog treats?  That depends on you, the owner. When you complete the dog registration form you will detail whether you want me to give your dog treats and if so, whether they have any allergies. When I start walking with a new fur client it is sometimes helpful to offer treats while getting to know each other. That said, I am not in the habit of giving treats unnecessarily and generally keep them for positive endorsment of good behaviour!

Do you walk all breeds?  I do not walk aggressive breeds or dogs that have previously shown aggression to either humans or other dogs. 

What do you do when there is extreme weather?  During the summer and winter months temperatures can be too extreme for dogs to be walked. In this instance I will attend the client home for the hour to keep the dog company and let it out for short comfort breaks.

REGISTRATION

How do we register with you?  If you are interested in my service then please send me a message via WhatsApp or give me a call. If I can accommodate your needs, I will email you my registration forms and we will schedule a free 30 minute in person meet & greet in your home. This is essential as it gives the dog the opportunity to meet me in their territory with you, their owner. This mitigates any stress or uncertainty the dog may feel when I first pick them up for walking. The forms should be completed prior to the meet & greet and ideally, if possible, emailed back to me beforehand so I can review them before our meeting. During the meet & greet we will confirm diary bookings. No bookings are confirmed until we have met and the paperwork has been signed. 

How do I know that my dog is in safe hands?  I am DBS checked, fully insured and Dog First Aid trained. At our 30 minute meet & greet I will bring all my documentation with me, including photo ID. Having a farming background means that I am very countryside aware. Country walks are so enriching for dogs, but also fraught with dangers so to be alert and cognisant to the dangers is very important.

What do you do to keep my house key safe?  If I will be collecting your dog when you are out you will need to complete a key release form and provide me with a key. I keep all keys in an internal key safe in my home. Each key has a key ring with the name of the dog on. No identifying information (i.e. client name and address) is attached to the key. 

PAYMENT 

How do I pay you?  Payment is in advance and I accept cash or BACS. 

When is payment due?  Payment for regular bookings can be made weekly or monthly and are due before the first walk of the week is scheduled to take place. Payment for ad hoc daytime walks or sitting are due at the time of booking, in order to secure the booking. To secure an overnight/holiday cover booking a 50% deposit is required at the time of booking (bookings cannot be confirmed until a deposit is received.) The balance of payment becomes due 7 days prior to the booking's scheduled start date. 

Dog Walker & Pet Sitter in Oundle, PE8 5BE