Sloppy kisses full of desperate affection—that’s more or less what you get from your dogs at the end of the day. But if you don’t want to keep rushing home just to walk your dog or need to spend some overtime or go on a trip, you want to make sure there’s someone to provide for your pet’s needs. That includes exercise. Hiring a dog walker in New York helps. Here’s what you need to know before picking one out, though:
Listen to the Recommendations
Word-of-mouth referrals are gold. Don’t let them go to waste. Ask people you know and you could end up with a good many leads.
Consider Rapport
Have potential walkers meet up with your dog. See what happens. If your dog isn’t warming up to the walker, or if your walker isn’t calm or is a bit too aggressive around your pet, don’t take the chance. Spare yourself the trouble and worry. Hire someone else, says Cesar’s Way.
Make a List
Preparing questions ahead of time helps. Find out where they plan to walk your dog. Can they accommodate special needs? If your dog doesn’t do well with other canine pets, would it be all right for them to walk your dog alone? How long will the walk last? Will they walk the dog or will that job fall to one of their staff?
Go for a Test
Ask a prospective walker to go along with your walk. See if your walker and pet hit it off. If your dog or the walker aren’t comfortable—watch out for your dog’s body language so you’ll know if your pet is excited, wary or unhappy—then that’s a sign that you’ll be better off looking for another a dog walker in New York, one your pet feels comfortable with.
