• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

Doggie Business - Nominated Best San Francisco Dog Walker!

The San Francisco Dog Walker

  • Home
  • Why Me?
  • Services
  • Reviews
  • FAQ
  • Blog
  • Contact
Get Started Today!
Contact Us

News

What’s it like being a San Francisco Dog Walker?

The San Francisco Dog Walker · Jul 20, 2018 ·

Posted by The San Francisco Dog Walker

San Francisco Dog Walker

I have been walking dogs in San Francisco for over 11 years now and I can truly say that I love doing this work!

In order to be a successful dog walker in San Francisco, you need to relish being outside everyday in any kind of weather condition.  Tramping around in mud on stormy days, freezing cold windy days, you get the idea!  The weather can make the job pleasant or unpleasant and that is something that you have to be willing to put up with.  It is part of the job description and a must do.  I happen to love a stroll through the woods on a rainy day.  Do you?

Another job requirement for being a San Francisco dog walker is that you must be ok with a lot of driving!  You must be able to drive without accidents or tickets and at the same time make quick pick ups and drop offs. You must operate like a UPS driver.  In fact, that is exactly how you will feel, like a UPS driver.  Driving the same route everyday can become really monotonous.  Also this can be said for the tasks you do everyday.  You need to remember to lock the houses, set the alarms, while answering text messages about schedule changes.  You need to be a multi-tasker extraordinaire.

You need to be able to say good-bye to dogs.  They will either die from old age or move to another location. This is very heartbreaking and if you really love them, you will cry.  Emotions run high in this business, so you must be prepared for heartbreak. Can you stand having your dog ripped from your arms?  You have to give so much of your heart to be a good dog walker, but you must also be able to walk away, if the time comes.  Very difficult to do.

Ok so here is the most important requirement:  you must love dogs.  Correction, you must love YOUR dogs!  Actually, this is the BIGGEST key to being a very successful dog walker in San Francisco. You must love each and every dog that you are taking to the park. You must open up your heart and let them in.  Dogs know if you love them and will not follow your lead if you don’t.  It is a given.

The best advice my sister gave me is, don’t take every dog that comes along.  You must carefully choose candidates for your pack.  Are they well trained?  Do they have an excellent recall?  Are they aggressive or have any play styles that might be misinterpreted by other dogs?  Don’t be afraid to turn down dogs that will not be good for your pack. Do not try to grow big without considering how it will affect your day, your attitude and the behavior of your pack.  I know for a fact that when you are walking too many dogs, you are tired and grumpy.  The job no longer seems fun and you are not happy doing this work.  Young, struggling dog walkers often work for dog walking companies as employees or contractors and need to make enough money to cover expenses.  They often cut corners to make things work, thus there is a high turnover in the dog walking industry.  They find out that the job requires too much work for the amount of pay and the fun of being with dogs all day looses its appeal.

I have been told time and time again that people really like my dogs and my pack.  They are in awe that they behave so well.  I have been called a dog whisperer, but mostly I just love my dogs and they know it.  They are all really good dogs and behave.  I chose my pack carefully and did not making “growing business” a priority.  More importantly, I do the right thing for the dogs and the owners.  Other dog walkers in San Francisco cannot say this.

Another must have – a strong desire to open your own business and willingness to put in the time.  Owning your own dog walking business in San Francisco is not easy and you will need to love it so much that you are willing to spend the time.  You need to market your business, interview clients, bill your clients every month, create schedules, purchase equipment and clean your vehicle inside and out. This is not a 9-5 job and you have to have the flexibility to work the many hours necessary to make the business take off.

Good luck!

Leptospirosis has been linked to dead seals, but now it’s in the parks too!

The San Francisco Dog Walker · Jun 19, 2018 ·

Biologist Therapy for DogsPosted by the San Francisco Dog Walker

Five documented cases of Leptospirosis in the past two months!  Don’t let your pets near muddy puddles in the parks or dead seals on the beaches!  Leptospirosis is rarely seen in San Francisco’s dog population, but this year, it’s rampant.

This potentially fatal bacteria is spread through the urine of infected animals, particularly wildlife like raccoons, skunks and coyotes.  If excreted in standing water, it can live for weeks if not months, infecting dogs and other animals tramping through or drinking from puddles.  This year’s marked increase in leptospirosis cases is likely due to the mud and puddles left by the rains.

When the disease is caught in time, most studies show a 75 percent survival rate. Unfortunately, the initial symptoms can be hard to recognize. Symptoms are often non-specific and variable, and can include lethargy, decreased appetite, increased drinking and/or urination, vomiting or diarrhea.

Leptospirosis is preventable: the canine DHLPP vaccine protects against the bacteria, as well as against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and parainfluenza. Though the vaccine is not 100 percent effective, it is a dog’s best defense.

If your dog seems to be under the weather, “it is important to bring up to your veterinarian that your dog is out at the park or swims a lot, as these lifestyle components increase exposure to leptospirosis.

The DHLPP vaccination is available at any veterinary office.

UPDATE: Good News! GGNRA dog management plan is permanently OVER!

The San Francisco Dog Walker · Jan 16, 2018 ·

Posted by the San Francisco Dog Walker
On December 27, 2017, the Federal Register posted notice of the withdrawal of Golden Gate National Recreation Area’s (GGNRA) Dog Management Proposed Rule and termination of the associated Environmental Impact Statement. These notices complete the necessary steps to permanently end the environmental planning and related rulemaking process intended to establish a new regulation on dog management. With this notice, the NPS has now cancelled that planning process and terminated the associated NEPA and rulemaking processes such that no final rule will be issued. The Federal Register notices are posted in the GGNRA reading room.
GGNRA will continue to enforce existing pet regulations detailed in a 1979 pet policy and the Superintendent’s Compendium. The current regulations allow visitors to walk managed dogs under voice or leash control in specific areas of the park.
The nationwide National Park Service regulation requiring dogs to be on-leash will apply to areas not covered by the 1979 policy. GGNRA’s Superintendent’s Compendium also reflects two special regulations that modify the 1979 pet policy for parts of Crissy Field and Ocean Beach. The interim permit requirement for commercial dog walkers and the associated limit of number of dogs walked at one-time continues to remain in effect. Existing pet regulations are available here.
For questions, please call GGNRA Dog Information line at 415-561-4728 or email goga_dogmgt@nps.gov.

(taken directly from the GGNRA website)

WoofieLeaks Reveals Bias in GGNRA Dog Plan

The San Francisco Dog Walker · Dec 28, 2017 ·

Posted by the San Francisco Dog Walker

San Francisco Bay Area dog groups are suing the government over their plan to eliminate dog walking in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area – GGNRA.  They have launched WoofieLeaks an online website where information exposes a biased federal process which shows contempt for those who dared to stand in the way.

tough times for San Francisco dog walkers in the GGNRA

Tough times for San Francisco Dog Walkers in the GGNRA.

Many of the documents on WoofieLeaks.com raise serious questions regarding a fair planning process. The emails and internal documents were obtained as part of a federal lawsuit for failing to comply with a Freedom of Information Act request.

Morrison & Foerster says these emails and documents are just the tip of the iceberg, pointing out the agency may be withholding a stockpile of emails. For instance, Howard Levitt, the GGNRA’s former Director of Communications and Partnerships, can’t “recall” his password to an email system prior to 2013 and so, the agency claims, those emails are inaccessible. Both Levitt and former Superintendent Frank Dean were also caught using their private email accounts to discuss the dog planning process, according to recently obtained records.

Looking For A San Francisco Dog Walker?

Contact
Me Here

Neighborhoods Serviced: West Portal, Forest Hill, Parkmerced, St. Francis Wood, Merced Manor, Inner Parkside, Inner Sunset, Monterey Heights, and Golden Gate Heights!

Click Here To Get Started
In Association With:
best 2018 san francisco dog walkers
san francisco dog walkers
san francisco dog walking service
best sf dog walker
dog walker near me

Copyright © 2023 Doggie Business - Nominated Best San Francisco Dog Walker! | Site Design by 3200 Creative

  • facebook
  • youtube
  • Contact