Professional Dog Walkers Association
Setting the dog walking industry standards
-professional - verified - ethical-
Welcome to the Professional Dog Walkers Association (PDWA)
Welcome to the Professional Dog Walkers Association (PDWA)
Professional Dog Walkers Association Setting the Dog Walking Industry Standards and Best Practice Guidelines
Once you join us, we do not run your dog walking business for you however one of our main aims is to help you develop your business whether you are a brand new start up or already established and thriving. We can help you self evaluate your business to enable you to demonstrate that you are providing the best possible dog walking service and if you wish, help identify areas which may need further development.
At present the dog walking industry is currently unregulated and anyone can set up on their own – this is perfectly fine, legal and acceptable but just imagine the worst case scenario, someone could describe themselves as a “professional dog walker” but in reality has no animal experience, no dog walking industry knowledge, no business insurance, no disclosure checks, no verification, no awareness of their clients or surroundings... the “no” list can go on and the results can be catastrophic.
The PDWA aim to influence local government and insurance companies to begin to control our industry for the protection of the public who use us, the general public whom we may encounter out on our walks and the majority of the dog walking businesses who are caring, honest and diligent. In order to achieve this we have developed the dog walking industry best practice guidelines, which covers three areas:
- Business Plan
- Health & Safety
- Management
1. Business Plan:
In summary, a business plan is a structured description of your business, who you are, what you do, what your aims are and how you will achieve these aims.
- Financial – you may need a formal business plan to obtain finance / loan.
- Business development – a structured business plan serves as a reminder and focus of your reasons and aims for running your own dog walking business. It can be revised as your business grows to include for your future plans.
- Established businesses can use a business plan as a means of a health check to evaluate its welfare and condition.
2. Health & Safety:
As a professional dog walker your priority should always be the safety of your clients, other members of the public and dogs you may encounter, your staff and yourself:
- Hold sufficient and appropriate dog walking business insurance.
- Work in accordance with ALL national and local animal welfare, access to land and environmental legislations.
- Ensure a risk assessment is carried out prior to all walks.
- Assess each dog’s suitability for walks - with other dogs, consider age, capability, behaviour.
- Keep all dogs in your care under control at all times.
- Ensure all dogs in your care wear safe and correctly fitted collars or harnesses.
- Ensure all dogs in your care are micro-chipped and wear a collar carrying your unique business id tag.
- Ensure all dogs in your care are transported in a safe and secure manner.
- All dogs to be walked away from and returned to the vehicle on the lead.
- Carry a mini dog first aid kit at all times.
- Do not use any form of corporal punishment for dogs in your care.
- Ensure your staff receive appropriate training.
- Ensure a procedure is in place for any unforeseen situation or emergency.
- Ensure all dogs are returned home clean, dry and happy.
3. Management:
Your business should be managed to the best possible level that you can and demonstrate awareness for developing yourself and your business to the next stage:
- Develop and maintain a suitable level of experience and skill.
- Increase your knowledge of all dog breeds in your care.
- Provide your clients with a contract detailing your terms of engagement, service and costs.
- Ensure all parties understand their commitment and responsibilities.
- Maintain records.
- Be HMRC compliant.
- Know your limits.
Each membership pack level includes a copy of our basic dog walking business plan, best practice guidelines and risk assessment for your own use.
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We are available for chat on the phone, email or through our members forum. Due to our working commitments please note our opening hours for telephone support.
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