Dog Walkers

Hi, the dog walker who has walked my lurcher for 14yrs refused to even consider walking my two staffies , even before they had left their mum ,she said fights would be inevitable.. Another walker has been taking them since they were 6 months old , they are away for a couple of hours and have been fine until recently. They go twice a week on days i'm working away.They were neutered at 6 months.

He walks 6 dogs and often meets other dogs , twice recently they have had scraps with jackrussels/terrier types.The only time i've had a problem was also a jackrussel cross.
Do you think it's unrealistic to expect staffies to go on walks in a group where they meet different dogs often? or do you think they have a problem with other terriers?.

Staffords are not dog dogs they are people dogs. They love humans and crave thier attention. Most are not great with other dogs, some will tolerate other dogs and some just really hate other dogs. I think although always try 2 socialise your dogs safely ie on leads etc i wouldnt be happy with a dog walker walking either of mine in a group. I think they probably need alot of attention being payed to them with thier body language around the other dogs and if off lead you would need both hands free if something was to arise. Im not saying yours arnt friendly or whatever just that if it where me (and i have a super dog friendly staff and a very picky one) i would want them walked by themselves x

They do tend to not like other dogs out side of the normal pack. Not to say they can't ever get along with a bit of work.

I dont think ive put across very well what i was trying 2 say haha. What i was trying to get at was because its only a dog walker walking your dogs and not you who knows them very well and their body language etc i (if it where mine) would feel better if all the walkers attention was on my dogs alone. x

I don't necessarily think it's impossible for staffies to walk as part of a group. I'm more uncertain about them walking with a part of a group with a dog walker. A dog walker might not own any of the dogs (most dog walkers I know walk their dogs as part of the pack, but this varies) and isn't there to train your dog, just walk them. Therefore I would be more restrictive with a dog walker than myself, especially once problems start to surface. You don't want them getting used to getting into trouble (no matter who starts it initially)..

Aniemother wrote:I don't necessarily think it's impossible for staffies to walk as part of a group. I'm more uncertain about them walking with a part of a group with a dog walker. A dog walker might not own any of the dogs (most dog walkers I know walk their dogs as part of the pack, but this varies) and isn't there to train your dog, just walk them. Therefore I would be more restrictive with a dog walker than myself, especially once problems start to surface. You don't want them getting used to getting into trouble (no matter who starts it initially)..

Thats basically what i was trying to say haha!

Originally they were walked by the guy on his own but he took them on pack walks after he got used to them and decided they were ok. Another thing is that the dogs he's walking change depending on the day , time etc and todays walk there were six with him and 3 with another walker.

I think you have all said what i'd already been thinking myself.The walker is a really nice guy, good with the dogs etc but obviously trying to earn a living. I will ask him about walking just the two of them again, offer more pay!! but i agree i don't want them getting into trouble.I might just need to retire

I agree it would be better too have there full attention from the dog walker.

Michelle x

Hello, i've decided not to send Sisko and Kasidy on the group walks again and all the dog walkers have stop doing individual walks as it makes less money.

I could send them with their original guy if i train them to wear a muzzle. At the moment i have someone who will let them out in the garden for 20 minutes mid morning and mid afternoon. I only need to do it two days a week do you think the pee breaks would be ok?. I'm a bit worried about muzzles when they are in a group ?.