Dog walking
Encyclopedia
Dog walking is both a pastime and a profession involving the act of a person walking
with a dog
, typically from the dog's residence and then returning. This constitutes part of the daily exercise regime needed to keep a dog healthy. It also provides exercise and companionship for the walker.
conducted a survey of 1,000 dog owners and found that one in five did not walk their dogs on a daily basis.
Dogs are walked with a collar around their neck, or a dog harness
, or by following their owner by familiarity and verbal control (where safe). Commonly the dog is walked by the owner, or another family member, but there are also professional dog walkers.
showed that people who walk their dogs are 34% more likely to meet expected levels of exercise, with a recommended level of 150 minutes of activity such as dog walking per week. Matthew Reeves, the co-author of the study said, "There is no magic bullet in getting people to reach those benchmarks but walking a dog has a measurable impact."
. Dog walkers in the United States
can post their services for free in places such as SkillSlate
which lets customers review different services, and enables service providers to specify hours and fees and contact information.
Walking
Walking is one of the main gaits of locomotion among legged animals, and is typically slower than running and other gaits. Walking is defined by an 'inverted pendulum' gait in which the body vaults over the stiff limb or limbs with each step...
with a dog
Dog
The domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...
, typically from the dog's residence and then returning. This constitutes part of the daily exercise regime needed to keep a dog healthy. It also provides exercise and companionship for the walker.
Description
In the UK, The Kennel ClubThe Kennel Club
The Kennel Club is a kennel club based in London and Aylesbury, United Kingdom.The Kennel Club registration system divides dogs into seven breed groups. The Kennel Club Groups are: Hound, Working, Terrier, Gundog, Pastoral, Utility and Toy...
conducted a survey of 1,000 dog owners and found that one in five did not walk their dogs on a daily basis.
Dogs are walked with a collar around their neck, or a dog harness
Dog harness
A dog harness is piece of equipment for dogs, generally similar to harness tack for horses. There are various designs depending on the type of use, whether it be for assistance to a disabled person, hauling a cart or sled, or pulling a human being, such as in skijoring or pulka...
, or by following their owner by familiarity and verbal control (where safe). Commonly the dog is walked by the owner, or another family member, but there are also professional dog walkers.
Health benefits
A study by Michigan State UniversityMichigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
showed that people who walk their dogs are 34% more likely to meet expected levels of exercise, with a recommended level of 150 minutes of activity such as dog walking per week. Matthew Reeves, the co-author of the study said, "There is no magic bullet in getting people to reach those benchmarks but walking a dog has a measurable impact."
Professional dog walkers
Professional dog walkers, both individuals and businesses, are paid by dog owners to walk their dogs for them. Some dog walkers will take many dogs for a walk at once, while others will not. Also growing in popularity is dog running. Dog runners are professionals who will take your dog running, usually between 1 and 10 miles for a set fee, usually not more than 2 dogs at a time. In some jurisdictions dog walking businesses must be licensed and have animal first-aid-trained employees. Professional dog walking services can be obtained locally or thorough online referral services such as Petsitting.comPetsitting.com
Petsitting.com is a website connecting pet owners with professional pet service providers. The site allows pet owners to search for pet care providers close to where they live, and is free for the consumer. The service simplifies the process of finding an established, reliable and trustworthy...
. Dog walkers in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
can post their services for free in places such as SkillSlate
SkillSlate
SkillSlate or SkillSlate.com is a New York City-based start–up firm with the purpose of matching up individual service providers with customers via the Internet. The firm raised $1.1 million in capital in October 2010 with investments from Canaan Partners and First Round Capital...
which lets customers review different services, and enables service providers to specify hours and fees and contact information.
External links
- Canis Major, Dog Walkers Guide
- WikiHow, How to be a professional Dog Walker
- BDWS, How to become a Dog Walker!