Leash Walks or Yard Visits
LEASH WALKING DOGS:
• Make sure collars are on securely and the dog cannot slip out of the collar.
• Keep your eyes on the dog throughout the walk. Make sure he or she doesn’t back him/herself out of the collar.
• NEVER allow another dog or person to approach, or touch, the dog you’re with. This is a potential liability. Even if the person says he or she knows the dog, you must avoid any interaction.
• The dog can pee or poop on the apron of grass near curbs, or on the streets. You must clean up any poop.
• If a neighbor tells you that he or she does not want the dog walking near their property, you are to comply with their wishes and let your manager know.
• Do not allow the dog to pee or poop on his/her own front yard or on anyone else’s front yard.
• You should be carrying pepper spray with you on each walk. Just in case a loose dog or stranger attacks, you can utilize this spray. If your manager does not give you pepper spray, you may purchase it and your manager will reimburse you when you present a receipt.
• It is NOT advisable to bring a shoulder pocketbook with you on your walks. It is cumbersome and will get in the way of your walk. Instead, consider a waist bag or cross- body bag if you need to carry items that cannot be attached to your belt loop.
• If a dog gets loose (this should NEVER happen, and won’t if you’ve paid attention to the collar/leash, etc), the best approach is to lie on the floor and call the dog over, or run AWAY from the dog to get them to chase you. Generally, CHASING a dog will cause it to run further away from you. Carrying treats with you on the walk is a good idea, in case you have to lure the dog.
• Harness versus collar: Make sure to use the collar or harness as instructed. If you cannot find a collar or harness, contact your manager. Make sure that if you are not familiar with all types of collars and harnesses, you ask your manager to introduce collars/ harnesses to you. Many times, owners of small breeds will only request that they be walked on a harness as some people are afraid of trachea damage that could be caused by a collar.
• Make sure the leash is hooked onto the silver loop on the collar and NOT the tags.
Peeing and Pooping Every dog should be PEEING, EVERY VISIT! If a dog does not pee during a visit, notify your manager. If the dog doesn’t poop, no need to let your manager know. EXCEPTION: If a client is on vacation, take note of the dogs pooping habits. Every dog should be pooping at least once per day. If the dog is NOT pooping once per day, contact your manager.
BACKYARD:
• For dogs whose routine says to let them to the backyard, you must never take them on a leash walk unless instructed, and vice versa.
• Employees should always be IN the backyard with the dog(s) and should never leave the dogs unattended.
• ALWAYS CHECK THE FENCE GATE BEFORE YOU LET THE DOG(S) OUT. ALWAYS.
• You must always clean up poop that is done during your visit, even if it is in the clients yard. As always, poop bags go into the outdoor garbage pail. If there seems to be a lot of poop already in the yard and you are afraid you may step in it, please let the manager know. In that case you are not expected to clean the poop.
*You are also NOT expected to clean poop that was done before your visit.