I'm planning on setting up a dog walking business and need some advice on a few things with dealing with aggressive dogs.

First I've just read on another forum someone stopped dog walking after 2 of the dogs they were walking attacked them. I have no idea about any details of what happened, but it got me thinking what should you do if a dog you was walking or any dog did turn on you?

How should you stop dogs fighting without hurting any of them such as 2 dogs you were walking? Smaller dogs I'd pick one up as soon as I thought they may fight but what about big dogs?

I have had dogs all my life so do have some idea of dog behavior but still some dogs appear friendly with my dog then turn on him and there is certain dogs he will turn on if he is unsure of them. But you know your own dog best and I'll always pull him away if either dog shows any sign or getting aggressive.

This is risk which you have to take, part of the business. That why I'm always saying that to be a dog walker you need to have a knowledge about dog behavior not only be a dog lover. You have to know how to step up if dogs start fight, how to split them without being bite, or better how to prevent a fight.
Also with time, dogs walked by you start to be almost your dogs, you will know them better and you will predict their behavior.

Worthy of highlighting.

I have emailed an animal sanctuary near me asking if I could do voluntary work for them and told them I'm hoping to gain more knowledge of dogs and other animals to help me become a dog walker. I'm waiting for their reply and will take it from there. I'm hoping to do pet sitting as well and would like to know a bit more about cats and smaller animals as I know little about them, I've had hamsters and fish in the past but cats will probably be the animal I need to learn most about as I've never had one but do love them.

I'm hoping that I will get to walk up to 4 dogs helping at dogs home to get me used to that I've only ever walked 2 before when I had 2 dogs.

Also you would have to think about insurance as I have a feeling if anything happens to one of the dogs in your care you are responsible and also responsible if one of the dogs was to injure another dog or person etc. It's definately more than just being a dog lover and being able to walk them.

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I have thought of insurance and from what I've heard it can be got for around £100 so if thats true I'll be able to afford it but obviously don't want to be getting it til I know I'm going to have at least a few dogs to walk. By that I mean not start dog walking til I know of a few people who are interested in using my service then get insurance and start. I know I will need some sort of contract for owners to sign which I haven't started thinking about yet and I'm going to do a questionaire owners need to fill in when I first meet them so I know a bit about the pet/dog like is it ok with other dogs, any medication or medical issues, what does it enjoy most ect.

I will try to be objective, however your post reminds me very much of my friend who runs a dog walking business. I've been in love with dogs for many years, I've been reading about them, training them, volunteering at the shelters, helping out my friends.... And still I feel that I'm not ready to be a pro. In the meantime, my friend who thinks dogs are cute (and that's pretty much it), opened a dog walking business without much thinking. She's doing fine and I'm trying to be happy for her, but it drives me mad, because I know that she knows nothing about dog behaviour/training. I can see that you are miles ahead of my friend, but please reconsider. Opening a business you should know that you will be able to cope in situations like those you mentioned, and you have to know how you'd do it. I feel very disappointed with the fact that dog walking is treated as a job that anyone can do. If a person is dealing with calm and well socialized dogs then probably just common sense will suffice, but I personally would never give my dog to a person who is not a well educated professional. It's not only the dogs you choose to take care of, what if you get attacked by a stranger dog? What about dogs that have special needs? Dogs that need constant vigilance? My dog is perfectly behaved with me, but I'm absolutely sure that if I gave him to my friend he would become aggressive very quickly. Not because she would hurt him or anything like that. My dog has a strong protective instinct and if you don't monitor the tiniest signs, he very quickly becomes over-protective. Would you know how to deal with a dog like that?

PS. Volunteering is a very good idea, that's what I'm doing now I recommend Dogs Trust. They have great attitude both to dogs and volunteers. Other rescue organizations... well, good luck. Some of them have a waiting list that is longer than number of dogs in the shelter!

PS2. Picking up a small dog is not a good idea. As much as it's against OUR instinct, lifting the dog you totally change it's body language. The "bigger" dog will not be able to "read" calming sygnals sent by your dog, will become more agitated, at the same time the small dog will feel unsure, more and more scared of more and more excited "big dog". As a result a meeting that could be friendly/non-aggressive can turn into a horrible fight, where the big dog will jump all over you trying to get the small dog, with you being at risk of being bitten by either of them.

Thanks for your reply I wont be put off dog walking/ pet sitting but I know there is a lot I need to know before starting a business and I already have thought about this for a few month. The reason I am starting to do voluntary at an animal sanctuary is because I love dogs and other animals and I know there is things I need to learn and think about before starting the business. I feel I have at least basic knowledge of dog behaviour because I have always owned dogs and used to take my dog that I have now to obedience training and agility. Also I would be interested in learning more about behaviour of dogs. I'm not going to rush into starting a business as I want things to work and on the 1st meeting I will be looking at how the dog is with me and walk the dog to see how it goes before I agree to walk it regular.

Don't be put off, like any job one learns through experience. But be open and aware to the "what if" scenarios before and while you are working. That's probably the biggest factor, keep the mind-set that it is work and a business.

If it's treated like a fun hobby you will not make money, you can enjoy your work be professional.

In a good off lead area real fights should be seldom.

I am a big guy and I dont have a particular fear about stepping in if a real dog fight (and not hard play) is occurring. If you have a calm assertive manner and are a pack leader, dogs will usually take you seriously.

You never put your face in between the dogs, one method I hear people talking about is grabbing rear legs and pulling a dog backwards. You have to be strong and quick to do this. Previously I have had to punch a savage unprovoked dog attacker off of another old dog I was walking. Then I stood between them, and yelled at the aggressor in a low tone. Basically made myself big and stood my ground. You have to know if you can back this up.

For a dog that doesnt take notice of this running is not an option. If a dog was continually attacking my dog or myself, I would have to grab it around the shoulders in a head lock sort of way so that it could not reach around. Always keep its jaws secured until help arrives.

This is not advice for everyone, some people will just back away slowly and hope for the best, I am talking about when that is not an option.

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