The Service
I accept clients from the South of Edinburgh as well as some areas of Mid- & East Lothian . Unless stated otherwise in my calendar, I am available to walk your dogs between the hours of 9am & 5pm.
I aim to make the service as flexible as possible to fit around the needs of you & your dog(s). I understand that people & their dogs are individual & that their requirements cannot happily be met by treating them all the same! That’s why I strive to give you as much choice as possible about what kind of service I provide.
The basics
I will collect your dog(s) from your premises & transport them to one of the many beautiful rural locations where I walk. I will take your dog(s) for a 1 hour walk (please click here for rates), before returning them safely to your house. I walk dogs in small groups of up to 6 dogs at any one time.
Initial meeting
After you contact me, we will arrange an initial meeting where both you & your dog(s) will be present. I cannot take firm bookings until I have met both you & your dog in person, & this meeting should be in advance of the proposed walk(s). This meeting is a chance for us both to ask questions, & to make sure all 3 parties (you, me & your dog(s)!) are happy with the arrangement.
We can discuss your dog’s walking requirements & go over finer details before finalising a booking (should you wish to do so). I will bring with me pet sitters agreement forms, which we will complete together & I will ask you to sign after checking that you understand my policies. This is necessary for insurance purposes.
Bookings
I accept both regular & occasional clients, as befits your requirements. You can book your walks well in advance if you like but I am also prepared to accommodate last minute ‘emergency’ bookings to cover those times when something unexpected comes up (the only proviso being that I have met both you & your dog on a previous occasion). However, to ensure availability, it is best to book at least a week in advance.
Bookings can be made either telephone or email. You can check my availability for dog walking at any time by consulting my calendar. I will keep all regular clients updated with any holidays I intend to take & help provide them with contact details for alternative dog walking services which can be used during those times if needed.
My policy is to give clients at least 1 month’s notice if I have to cancel any walks & in return I ask that they give me at least 1 week’s notice of any cancellations. I understand that this is not always possible but expect that any walks cancelled at less than a week’s notice are paid for in full.
Safety
The welfare of your dog will be paramount at all times during our walks. All dogs will be walked on lead initially. However, once I feel I have built up sufficient a relationship with your dog & feel it is appropriate, I am happy to walk your dog(s) off lead should you wish.
I am a competent canine first aider & will always carry first aid supplies in my vehicle. I ask that you ensure your dog’s vaccinations are up to date, & will require to see proof of this at our initial meeting. This is for the protection of both your own dog & others who are in my care. It is also advisable (though not required) that clients provide their dogs with regular flea & worm treatments, as well as kennel cough vaccination, to prevent the spread of disease amongst the dogs that I walk.
I am covered by an insurance policy for Public Liability & Third Party Risks up to £2 million any one claim, including cover for pets in my care up to £5000. However, it is still advisable that you provide Pet Insurance for your own dogs.
I hold a Full UK Driving Licence & my vehicle is equipped with dog guards & safety harnesses for your dog’s protection whilst I am transporting them. I will clean up after your dog(s) whilst they are in my care & have taken the Green Dog Walkers pledge to leave only pawprints.
Security
You can trust that I will leave your house as I find it & will ensure that no muddy paw prints are left (regardless of how much fun your dog had roaming in the mud!). I am happy to replenish food & water for your dog whilst at your premises, & can also administer any regular medications which your pet requires in your absence (providing an agreement form is signed).
If I am holding your house keys in order to take your dog out for a walk in your absence, I will make sure that they are kept secure & are not identifiable. My insurance covers costs incurred due to loss of any keys entrusted to me (up to £2000).
My own two dogs pause for a drink on a walk near Penicuik
