Dog walker job interviews: questions, answers, and tips to help you get the job

For significant dog fans, doggy going for walks can appear to be like a aspiration work. Who would not want to be paid to expend time outdoors with cute furry mates during what is definitely one of the highlights of their day? Incorporate in the truth that you can create a adaptable plan and established your possess charges, and it truly is an ideal task for an energetic, animal-loving entrepreneur.

No matter whether you are a specialist puppy walker or you are just starting up out, most new shoppers will want to interview you just before they retain the services of you. These interviews will commonly choose put in individual, letting you to satisfy their pooch and make certain that you are a great healthy. Be well prepared to answer some standard questions—and inquire a several of your own—to boost your chances of landing the pet-strolling work.

Ideally, pet walkers should not settle for an assignment—and pet mother and father should not use them—without this first consultation. Get ready to reply specific inquiries about your price ranges, how you do the job, and your phrases and situations prior to obtaining began.

Most frequent pet dog walker job interview questions 

Right here are a couple of the most widespread concerns you can count on to respond to all through your job interview:

“What is your working experience as a pet dog walker?”  

Probable shoppers want to know that you have the skills and working experience necessary to preserve their canine protected and happy whilst they are in your treatment. If you have particular skills like animal 1st assist coaching or behavioural training, now’s the time to point out it! It’s also handy to provide examples from earlier ordeals.

“Will you wander my puppies with other pet dogs?”

Some doggy walkers wander canine individually, though others stroll canine in a pack—and most doggy owners have a desire 1 way or the other. If the pet owner expresses any issues about how you work, be geared up to set their minds at ease with a obvious rationalization of why you get the job done the way you do, and how you deal with popular problems.

“What does your pet dog-walking service include things like?” 

Doggy homeowners will want to know just what the strolling expertise will be like for their pooch, so give them all the information from commencing to finish. For instance:

• How do you manage decide-up and fall-off?
• What routes do you choose?
• Is any driving associated?
• Will you also give water and/or food stuff to the doggy?

To really give them a sense of what it signifies to use you, invite them to be a part of you on a totally free demo walk with the canine.

“Are you insured?” 

If your response to this query is yes, be ready to give evidence of this to any potential clientele. This is an straightforward way to established yourself apart as a dependable, experienced pet dog walker. Legal responsibility insurance policies can be very important if you are delivering pet-walking solutions. This can include you if 1 of the dogs you are going for walks will get unwell or injured, resulting in peace of thoughts for all associated.

“Can you supply references?” 

As with any other place, glowing references can aid you land a position. Have a record ready to hand about in scenario a opportunity customer needs to speak to your other purchasers.

What you ought to inquire a prospective doggy-strolling shopper

Opportunity clients are confident to have numerous queries for you all through the job interview system, but it’s crucial for you to request them concerns as effectively. Remember, they’re not just choosing if they want to use your solutions: you’re deciding if you want to work for them, too.

A dog-going for walks agreement is a wonderful way to set obvious anticipations about the products and services you will present, and also build essential details about the client’s pet and home care requirements. Discussing the contents of this arrangement will assistance you acquire crucial particulars about the customer and their pet from the outset.

In this article are some concerns to start out with: 

“What is your dog’s health-related and behavioural record?” 

You certainly need to know if the puppy has any wellbeing concerns, these types of as a previous injuries that may well impression their skills, meals allergy symptoms or sensitivities, or other impairments. If they have to have medication, will you be anticipated to give it to them while they’re below your care? You’ll also need to have to know about any behavioural issues—do they get together with other canines? Are they Okay being all over youngsters? Are they terrified of thunder, scooters, or sirens? Do they have any other behavioural quirks you have to have to know about?

“What type of activity does your puppy involve?” 

Every single dog’s wants and abilities are unique, so be positive you comprehend what the pet owner expects of your walks. Perform out whether an more mature pet requirements to get it quick, for instance, or a more youthful puppy desires a far more lively arrangement. Be crystal clear about how a great deal time and activity the dog operator is anticipating from your setup.

“How can I make your dog really feel safe and protected with me?” 

Request certain inquiries about the dog’s program and the coaching procedures they are common with to help the pet dog come to feel cozy with you. Does the owner permit treats, and what form does the dog choose? What does the puppy appreciate to do, and what actions and locations should really you stay away from? 

A excellent way to do the job out whether you and the dog will get alongside is to arrange with the customer to go and take a look at their pet although their operator is not there, but is close by in scenario anything at all unpredicted comes about. After all, canines may perhaps show up comfortable with you in the soothing presence of their proprietor, but an original unsupervised check out could go awry when an animal is taken off guard.

Crimson flags to consider

Be ready to glance out for a several red flags that may possibly recommend a terrible in good shape with a probable shopper: 

• A reluctance to make it possible for you to meet the pet dog prior to accepting the position as pet walker
• Obscure particulars pertaining to what is expected of you
• No clarity on payment or method
• If the earlier puppy walker didn’t continue to be extended or the pet owner is hesitant to share particulars of who was going for walks the pet dog formerly
• Any inappropriate conduct or worries

It’s also essential to shell out close notice to the dog’s conduct in the course of the interview. If a canine would seem out of regulate or aggressive towards you, that’s your cue to say goodbye. You simply cannot afford to pay for to consider the danger that they will not be risk-free for you to stroll.

Not each job interview will outcome in you staying hired for a pet-strolling position, but with correct preparing, you are going to be ready to simply land the work opportunities that are proper for you. Presenting a self-assured, specialist demeanour to canine owners—and knowing just what you will need to see in a potential client—is the very first sizeable stage towards a working connection that will ideally last for decades to come.