Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing a dog walker requires a great deal of trust so you’re bound to have some questions.
Q: How many dogs do you walk at any one time?
A: When it comes to group dog walking, Harbour Tails walks a maximum of 5 dogs in order to ensure their safety and that they get the care and attention they deserve.
Group dog walks are great to socialise your dog and build their confidence.
Q: Can I specify a particular time for my dog to be walked?
A: Due to the complexity of travelling around Poole and surrounding, I usually give a 1.5 hour collection window. This window helps me manage constantly varying schedules, bad weather, toweling dogs off after rain and mud, varying travel times between clients, and of course, traffic and road works.
Q: Where will my dog be walked?
A: Walks are carried out in green spaces, dog friendly parks, recreation grounds, beaches where it is safe and interesting for your dog in some of the following areas:
Poole
Hamworthy
Upton
Broadstone
Lilliput
I vary the locations in order to provide variety. I also must take into consideration seasonal requirements. For example during Spring/Summer dogs are more restricted on some of our beaches and Heathland, so we tend to enjoy these types of areas more in the autumn, winter.
Q: My dog is nervous around other dogs, are you be able to walk them?
A: Yes. If your dog is very nervous around other dogs I can provide private walks.
However one of the biggest benefits of group dog walking is how much it can improve your dog’s socialisation. Therefore if your dog is nervous but non aggressive we can start off with solo walks and then slowly introduce him/ her to friendly dogs if you wish.
If your dog has any history of aggression, these dogs would need to be on private/solo walks only.
Q: Do I need to be home when you collect or drop off my dog?
A: No. If you wish to provide me with keys I keep them in a secure location.
Q: What happens in an emergency?
A: In an emergency I will contact you immediately. If I am unable to get through to you I will attempt your emergency contact. If veterinary attention is needed I will take your dog to your preffered vet or the nearest vet depending on circumstances.
Q: Can I have ad-hock walks?
A: Yes I accept customers who only require walks occasionally and will try my best to accomodate when needed.
Q: Are you insured?
A: Yes. Harbour Tails is nsured and I am CRB checked. I also have repitable qualifications in behaviour, training and canine first aid. I can provide proof of all these during the free consultation.
Q: Will I be charged if I cancel a walk at short notice?
A: To ensure there is no cancellation fee, if you need to cancel aim to let me know at least 48 hours before. (Less than 48 hours notice charged 50%, less than 24 hours notice charged 100%). I usually waiver this if the cancellation is due to your dog being poorly or injured last minute.
Q: Can you provide weekend walks?
A: Although I don’t provide regular walks on the weekends, I will cover ad hock weekends where posssible. Weekend rates will apply (contact me for information).
Q: Can you feed my dog?
A: Sure thing! Just include any feeding instructions to me and I will add it your dog’s requirements.
Q: I own more than one dog. Can you help?
A: Yes. If you own more than one dog, additional dogs are charged at a reduced rate if they are being walked together. Contact me more information.
Q: What equipment does my dog need?
A: You must provide a secure fitting collar and/or harness with ID tag. I usually use my own leads. If you’d like your dog to wear a coat, please leave this out as well. Place your equpment in a visible location. Ensure it fits well and is in good working condition.
Q: Do you walk in all weathers?
A: I walk your dogs rain and shine. However, provisions will be made in dangerous weather conditions.
Should we experience heatwave conditions consideration and care is taken. I will walk in shaded areas (under trees) and ideally streams and take lots of breaks. Dogs will be placed on lead if I think they are running too hard in the heat. Walks will be shortened or cancelled if very extreme. My van is fitted with a powerful fan where the dogs are for incresed comfort during the warmer months.
Q: Do you know the signs of overheating? And how do you cool dogs down if they appear to be too hot?
A: I’ve been a dog walker since 2016 and in all this time I’ve taken proportions and not yet had a dog overheat. Howerver all dogs are at risk of overheating in warm weather so we should be aware of the risks and signs. Signs include lots of panting, sickness, diarrhea, gums can turn bright red or blue.
If a dog were showing these signs I would move them to a cooler area as quickly as possible such as shade or if we are near some water I would encourage them to take a paddle. Or, I would use the water I carry to gently wet the dog (not too much as it is dangerous to cool them too quickly) to help cool them down and I would encourage them to drink. I would transport them to the vet if they had serious symptoms.
Q: What first aid supplies do you keep in your van?
A: Absorbent gauze pads, Bandages, Adhesive tape, Cotton wool, Disposable gloves, Scissors, Tweezers, Towels, Alcohol wipes, Saline solution.
Q: If a dog goes missing what are your steps?
A: Firstly, EVERY dog on my walk has a Tractive GPS tracking device attached to their collar/harness. With this, I am able to see exactly where they are from my phone (sometimes signal can be inaccurate if the weather is bad or in certain locations just like your mobile phone, because they work using the phone masts, but usually they are fairly accurate) I can also set them to beep and flash so when you are near you can follow the sound/light.
I would report the loss/theft to the owner, and ask that you immediately report to the microchip database so that you will be notified if anyone tries to re-register the chip.
I would report to the council’s dog warden and those in neighbouring authorities.
(Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm, or Fridays 9am to 4.30pm T. 01202 261700.
Outside these hours we will need to phone 0800 506050)
I am also in a whatsapp group of local and supportive dog walkers so we can help each other if a dog goes missing.
We would search the area the dog went missing and ask people to keep an eye open for your dog.
Help you to display posters around the local area and in places like vet practices. Include a clear photograph(s) and details.
Make local vet practices aware in case your dog is brought in for treatment.
Report the loss on as many as possible of the missing animals websites. and social media outlets.
Contact local animal shelters and rescue charities.
For more information about how Harbour tails keeps the dogs safe visit: https://www.harbourtails.com/news-video/protect-your-dog-against-theft
Please note that Harbour Tails cannot be held responsible in the unfortunate event the dog is lost. However I would do everything in my power to find the dog. On your enrolement form, please only click “my dog is allowed off lead” if your dog has good recall and you accept the risk this entails.
What would you do if a fight broke out between dogs?
This ia a rare occurance but as a dog walker it is a real possibility a dog fight can break out, either within our own group or with an unknown dog we meet out walking. Dogs are living beings and can be unpredictable. Even the most friendly and sociable dogs might find someone they just don't get along with. Therefore I always keep an eye out for the following signals:
Whale eye / staring
Showing teeth
Flat ears
Raised hackles (the hair along spine)
Stiff posture
Growling
The safest way to attempt to break up a dog fight is by ditracting them, for example. throwing water, a jacket or a bag over to them.
Q: Do you keep fresh water and a portable bowl with you on walks?
A: Yes, I carry water and bowl on my person and in my van, both for drinking and rinsing the dogs feet and legs after walks.
Q: Can you walk my puppy?
A: Yes. However for very young puppies I don’t normally advise regular group walking arrangements. This is not only to protect their growing joints but because their basic early training, such as recall, needs practice and 1-on-1 attention.
For young puppies I recommend ‘home visits’ with a short walk from home, or ‘private walks’ where they can get use to travelling somehwere new in my van, perhaps socialise with my dog or another of my clients, as well as you and your dog meeting us on some of our group walks for socialisation. Then if you wish to proress your puppy onto regular group walking, we can discuss when we feel they are ready.
I can take older puppies with our groups subject to consultation.
Q: What happens after I initially enquire?
A: We will discuss your dog and your requirements either by phone, email, text. Then we can arrange a free meet and greet and I will send you an online enrolment form.
Q: Do I have to pay upfront?
A: No. I invoice in arrears (invoices are sent at the end of the month for the walks you had that month). I accept payment by bank transfer or cash.