Tell me about being a professional dog walker

luckyjimm · #1 02-26-2007, 06:55 AM

One of the contestants on American Idol walks dogs for a living. Is that really a job? Does it pay more than minimum wage?

I can't imagine it working where I live, in London, since you'd need dogs and park to be in close proximity, or you'd spent a lot of time and money on travel. Also, don't most people walk their own dogs anyway?

NT! · #2 02-26-2007, 07:01 AM

it's a fairly common job for people with liberal arts diplomas in NYC, no it doesn't pay well, yes it is stupid.

this involves walking rich but not super-rich peoples' dogs, you get paid 8-12 bucks an hour, they probably pay like 20 bucks or something.

luckyjimm · #3 02-26-2007, 07:04 AM

I love dogs. Walking, not so much.

Could I become a professional dog-stroker?

TheMetetron · #4 02-26-2007, 09:16 AM

There are people who walk dogs for a living here. They are everywhere. And the don't even pick up the dogs' poop. What the hell. They are smart here, they do like 10-20 dogs at a time. More monies that way.

Evan · #5 02-26-2007, 09:18 AM

[ QUOTE ]
They are smart here, they do like 10-20 dogs at a time. More monies that way.

[/ QUOTE ]
If this impresses you I've got a great trick to show you where I can actually steal your nose.

JRussell · #6 02-26-2007, 09:21 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I love dogs. Walking, not so much.

Could I become a professional dog-stroker?

[/ QUOTE ]

Check your local ordinances first. That's probably illegal in most places! [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

mrkilla · #7 02-26-2007, 09:22 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I love dogs. Walking, not so much.

Could I become a professional dog-stroker?

[/ QUOTE ]

this is a lay-up FYP waiting to happen

luckyjimm · #8 02-26-2007, 09:39 AM

This brings me to an issue which has often concerned me - what is the etiquette of stroking someone else's dog in a public place? Do you always need to ask the owner's permission? Does it make a difference if it's on or off the lead?

MediaPA · #9 02-26-2007, 09:48 AM

[ QUOTE ]
This brings me to an issue which has often concerned me - what is the etiquette of stroking someone else's dog in a public place? Do you always need to ask the owner's permission? Does it make a difference if it's on or off the lead?

[/ QUOTE ]

Say hello to Chris Hansen for me.

Edit: Oops, from London. Anyway, this seems a step away from 'can I play with a child if he's not near his parents?'

luckyjimm · #10 02-26-2007, 10:19 AM

Situation seems to come up quite often. E.g., walking along riverfront with friends last Sunday morning, a nice dog runs up to us (ahead of its owners who are approaching) and starts jumping up. Here it is obviously okay to stroke.

Week before, I'm at a street market in a fairly run-down area, and there is a cute dog hanging around a stall. I think it belongs to one of the other stall holders. I want to stroke it but hold back, not sure if allowed.

I have similar issues with girls, btw. Unless they run up to me panting and drooling and start humping my leg, I'm not sure quite where I'm at.