Professional dog walking has grown rapidly in Luxembourg over the last 15 years, and more and more dog lovers enter the field every day. What most dog owners don’t realize is that, because walking is a young business, there is currently no regulating body to dictate the standards of care or qualifications for the work. In short, anyone can call themselves a dog walker, with nothing but a love of dogs to qualify their resume.

But walking dogs, particularly in groups, takes more than the passion we all share for them. There are specialized knowledge and skill sets, as well as ethical business practices that are necessary to ensure the safety of the dogs in a walker’s care, as well as the safety and enjoyment of other dogs and humans who share the trails.

What can you expect from me and The Dog House By Ingrid?

• I am certified dog-walker, dog behaviourist and dog trainer; I use a scientifically sound and humane approach when I walk and care for your dog.
• I am specialized to read body language and take appropriate steps to establish a harmonious group of dogs. I judge which dogs to place together for maximum compatibility; and play styles. In short, I have the professional knowledge and skills to keep the group together and under control while everyone has a great time.
• The most important to me is that every dog I walk is feeling happy, safe and confident in the company of me and the other dogs; that the group are harmonious.
• I walk a maximum of six dogs. Whether on or off leash, each dog added to a group increases the potential for conflict, injury, lost dogs, and distraction, not to mention making individual attention nigh impossible.
• As a dog walker it’s my job to keep the dogs in my care safe and show them a good time.
• Small dogs are grouped with other small dogs when let off the leash, and the same goes for the big dogs
• The car transport is roughly 35 minutes from the first to the last dog being collected.
• I walk in the same forest and trail as I’ve done over the past 20 years.
• I adapt the pace to the dogs and walk between 1,5-2 hours depending on the conditions of the dogs and the weather conditions.
• I always bring plenty of water with me and the dogs get several pauses to drink and rest during the walk.
• Each walk begins with a warmup session of ten minutes before the dogs get off leash and a maximum of three dogs are off leash at the same time.
• The play is controlled, and I never let it get to arousal nor let them be off the leash more than ten minutes at the time.
• No dog is off leash if the owner has not agreed into this.
• I will never let the dogs off leash in a tight collar or a harness, nor letting them have a long line dragging after them as it is simply too dangerous for the dog and the other dogs. It’s my strongest believes if I can’t walk six dogs on the line, at the same time; then I walk too many dogs and must limit the pack to fewer dogs.
• Each walk finishes off with at least 20 minutes on the leash to cool off the muscles.

I am not training your dog while I am walking, but naturally, I do practice recall and loose leash walking by only using positive reinforcement-based training. I use scientifically sound, humane training methods and I only walk dogs in a harness or a flat collar. Any walker using the word “professional” should carry dog-walking insurance and have a business license.

My clients are asked to sign a contract to help avoid later conflicts and clarify the walkers’ responsibilities as well as yours as a dog owner. E.g., in this contract it is stated if I am allowed to have your dog off the leash. I am certified to provide canine first aid, and I have clear emergency protocols in case an accident should happen. The dogs are transported in a modern 4x4 jeep with tinted windows, reducing the heat of the rays of the sun. The car is of course fitted with air-conditioning circulating around in the whole car, meaning it reaches each individual crate and keep your dog comfortable during a hot day. The dogs are As your dog walker I should make your dog’s morning a blast and your day easier, not add worry. separated within the vehicle as much as possible for maximum comfort and to reduce chances of conflict during transport. The car is fitted with the safest crates in the world, MIM safe. I never leave dogs unattended in the vehicle, apart from when I pick up or drop of the clients at their home.