Who Are Walkers? - Canadian Dog Walkers Association

WHO ARE
WALKERS

WHO ARE WALKERS? This is a huge question with a great many answers.

Professional Walkers are skilled generalists. As such, they must acquire extensive inter-disciplinary knowledge, training, and in-field skill and experience to work with dogs most successfully. Dogs are sentient beings with biology and behaviour and when those worlds collide, there is much to know and master. The closest comparison is that of canine psychologist and behavioural observer, teacher, guardian, enricher, and hall monitor, rolled into one. The public generally sees the hall monitor and not the more mysterious observation and analyses that precede management tactics.

Little-known Facts:

The overwhelming majority of Walkers are extremely caring, supportive, resourceful animal advocates, coming from various backgrounds and education. They own and care for pets almost 24/7.

Walkers volunteer in high numbers to various animal causes, over and above their full time work. If you’re in Toronto and have ever lost a pet, you’re probably familiar with the high profile
Lost and Found Pets Toronto, which is run by two Professional Walkers.

Most are business owners, enjoying the entrepreneurial life, and they are resourceful and proactive about learning. All are supported by certified trainers and have access to Educators and coursework.

Many are in the industry as their second career and quite accomplished, academically and professionally.

Walkers have access to industry knowledge-base forums where standards and best practices, information sharing, training and other professional supports exist.

There is no Walker that will say the job is easy. It is physically, mentally, emotionally and financially demanding. Walkers are prone to injury daily. The mental aspects of the job include predictive canine behaviour insight/action/remedy and the employ of training and management techniques, every day, all day, most often in-the-minute. Composure under pressure grows with experience and translates to good judgement/assessment and technique. Reactive Dog Walkers have greater behavioural training in their skillset.

Walkers are responsible for living beings and carry substantial liability. This forces a level of competence that they must strive to achieve.

Walkers cannot afford to improvise. There are three methods that the CDWA endorses: the LIMA-Based Balanced, Positive Reinforcement (R+) and Force-Free training models. All are humane methods, supported by research, behavioural science and successful practice. How a Walker employs tactics from each model depends on their knowledge of each, coupled with the behaviours of a given dog in their care. Pack dynamics matter greatly, as well.

Walkers consistently report high levels of career satisfaction. Even on a hard day. Even with injuries.

AS WITH ANY INDUSTRY, there is a sizable body of knowledge to acquire and master, in order to be a successful and effective Walker. One simply cannot do the job, to any standard, without formal and in-field training and mentorship. It’s a difficult job that many are drawn to, as working with animals carries significant reward.

PET QUESTIONS?
Join our FB Forum and ask industry professionals anything concerning walking, training, diet, boarding, grooming, veterinary and rescue.

WHO ARE
WALKERS

Little-known Facts:

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