How to hire a dog walker?

dianna · 20-01-2007, 07:13 PM

Hi, guys. You might remember my dog from one of my posts, "shame on cathay pacific." If anyone wonders, we have nicely settled down in Mid Levels, Central area and my dog seems to make friends much faster than I have and in a pretty good health. Just want to say thank you for all those who shared their concerns for my dog after the disastrous landing to Hong Kong.

Anyway, is there any good way for me to find a decent dog walker? My working hours are quite long and unpredictable and even though I walk my dog two times a day in the morning and evening, I'd feel much less guilty if my dog can get some fresh air while I am gone. I am thinking about putting a wanted notice on a nearby wellcome board but kind of nervous to let a stranger to come into my place to take my dog. If you have any suggestion to screen and hire a caring and responsible dog sitter, please share it with me. Any suggestion would be highly appreciated.

KnowItAll · 21-01-2007, 07:54 AM

Dianna : send a PM to Chicago32, she's a teacher at one of the local schools and is looking for a pet walking / sitting gig.

nina_70 · 21-01-2007, 10:09 AM

Dianna - here's a couple of suggestions for you

1/ Screening a dog walker - basically you're hiring someone to come into your home, so screen them like you would anyone else. Here's some pointers
a) Do they have references?
b) Are they comfortable around your pets? Do they look like they know
what they're doing?
c) Do they own pets of their own? For how long?
d) Are your pets comfortable around them?
e) What services do they offer? How long will they walk the dog?
You're a pet owner, so you'll have a pretty quick sense of how your pet is around this new person. Spend some time w/ them in your house and w/ the pet.

2/ Pet sitting company - www.wishyouwereherehk.com. They do dog/cat-sitting, & may be able to help. I used them very regularly for my own cats for past 2 years. The English guy is a dog-trainer as well.

3/ Networking - you can talk to Hong Kong Dog Rescue www.hongkongdogrescue.dog. I know a couple of people there do dog walking outside the center. They can circulate your request around.

Katanga · 21-01-2007, 07:06 PM

"2/ Pet sitting company - www.wishyouwereherehk.com. They do dog/cat-sitting, & may be able to help. I used them very regularly for my own cats for past 2 years. The English guy is a dog-trainer as well."

Nina; how good is their dog training ?

nina_70 · 22-01-2007, 10:17 AM

Katanga - errrrrr...can't answer that too accurately as I haven't any dogs of my own, but I know the guy is a certified dog trainer & I've had friends use him who've been happy w/ the results. For example he's helped a friend work issues between them & their dogs (separation anxiety). Hope that's helpful...

Katanga · 24-01-2007, 07:34 PM

thanks Nina. I plan to give them a try and have contacted Mark.

Seems like they come and train at your place which does make sense.

dianna · 26-01-2007, 03:40 PM

Thanks guys. Nine, you meant http://www.hongkongdogrescue.com ..? The site seems busy at this point, I will try to contact them later as well. Luckily, I also found a group of people with dogs around my place so hopefully I could find good references from them too. Cheers!

vnobleheeren · 29-01-2007, 08:33 PM

I live in Happy Valley but walk dogs for a few people around Midlevels also. Every morning I take the dogs to the Peak, the Kotewall trail or the Aberdeen Country Park. I have a young pup that really needs the excercise so we go for about 3 hours every morning. I have references available upon request. In my free afternoons I also walk dogs at Hong Kong Dog Rescue. I feel comfortable among dogs. If anyone needs a dog walker please contact Victoria 68570614. Thanks

aachina · 06-04-2010, 09:04 PM

Dear Dr Merrin,

I saw your post about dog walking and sitting. I am looking for someone to "sit" with our two dogs in the park at the animal centre (quarantine) in Pokfulam for one hour either in the morning or afternoon Monday to Friday. They need to be led from their cage to the park where they can freely run around and play and then led back to their cage. If you are available and interested, please contact me on [email protected]

Best regards,

Annabel

KateThrine · 07-04-2010, 08:56 AM

Originally Posted by nina_70:

Dianna - here's a couple of suggestions for you

1/ Screening a dog walker - basically you're hiring someone to come into your home, so screen them like you would anyone else. Here's some pointers
a) Do they have references?
b) Are they comfortable around your pets? Do they look like they know
what they're doing?
c) Do they own pets of their own? For how long?
d) Are your pets comfortable around them?
e) What services do they offer? How long will they walk the dog?
You're a pet owner, so you'll have a pretty quick sense of how your pet is around this new person. Spend some time w/ them in your house and w/ the pet.

2/ Pet sitting company - Wish You Were Here. They do dog/cat-sitting, & may be able to help. I used them very regularly for my own cats for past 2 years. The English guy is a dog-trainer as well.

3/ Networking - you can talk to Hong Kong Dog Rescue www.hongkongdogrescue.dog. I know a couple of people there do dog walking outside the center. They can circulate your request around.

just wanted to say that your last point is good. I volunteer there, and everyone is friendly and amazing to the dogs. If your looking for something from there tho, you should expect high school students, because I really doubt the older walkers will have time. Good luck