Advice on finding a dog walker

There's a lot of trust involved in this. Think about it - you're giving someone the keys to your house on a permanent basis and letting them take your precious boys and girls out every day. You're relying on them to make sure your dogs get a good walk every afternoon.

However, if you want a dog and you work then you don't really have any option. So here's some tips to avoid the worst.....

* Try and get a recommendation if you can. Ask around people you know and if you can't find anyone, try the local kennels/vets/clubs etc.
* If you go from a directory, make sure you vet the dog walker thoroughly. Firstly, talk to them - do they sound like "dog people"? Are they insured? Can you get references? How long have they been doing it?
* Go out with them - it means a day off work occasionally but it must be done. I grew suspicious of our first dog walker over about 6 months standing when I went out with her - she couldn't control the pack and just stood in the field and shouted at them - no empathy with the dogs. She quit not long after that.

Find a Dog Walker

Dog walkers in Wales

A Walk in the Park
24, Sunningdale Avenue, Colwyn Bay, Clwyd LL29 6DF
Tel: 01492 533947

Happy Paws Pet Care Services
190, Newton Rd, Newton, Swansea, West Glamorgan SA3 4UD
Tel: 01792 363592

Pets Care
43, Crown St, Crumlin, Newport, Gwent NP11 4PR
Tel: 07727 192093

Annie-Mals
Perthellic Farm, Croesyceiliog, Cwmbran, Gwent NP44 2DE
Tel: 01495 751870

K9 Services Wales
23, Llandilo Close, Dinas Powys, South Glamorgan CF64 4PR
Tel: 07986 059783

K9 Strollers
25, Ridgeway Park Rd, Newport, Gwent NP20 5AL
Tel: 01633 243686

Furry Friends
5, Summerfield Rd, Abergavenny, Gwent NP7 5TE
Tel: 07734 690214

Petpals (Cardiff)
14, Garrick Drive, Thornhill, Cardiff, South Glamorgan CF14 9BG
Tel: 029 2075 2104

Doggie Day Care
Lyndhurst, Mold Rd, Ewloe, Deeside, Clwyd CH5 3AU
Tel: 01244 539692

Jess's Dog Walking
65, Hafod Rd, Ponthir, Newport, Gwent NP18 1GJ
Tel: 01633 420935