[Dogless]

Everything I've read on 'how-to' for professional dog walking suggests using a harness as collars can be slipped. Obviously that'd be part of the agreement, but I'd far rather use a halti (or similar) harness with a dog if harnesses encourage that individual to pull than have a dog slip their collar (and therefore lose their ID tag) while with me.

I let Kilo pull on a harness as I run with him in one, he is immensely strong if he pulls. I also use half check collars to prevent him slipping them, but he doesn't pull on his collar - when I've used a dog walker she has said that she doesn't need to use a headcollar with him (I supplied one in case it was needed). If you used a harness you would probably find that he was more difficult to walk than on a collar.

With buying my own leads - no offense meant to any dog owner (including my own family), but if I'm going to be relying on equipment I want it to be my responsibility to maintain it - that way, if a dog (heaven forbid!) snaps a lead and flees, it is my own fault (and covered by my insurance if needs be). No offense meant to any dog walker, but I select the equipment and maintain it with my dog in mind. I have gone diving a lot and use my own kit as I KNOW that it has been maintained - I feel the same about equipment for my dog. Also means I can avoid choke-leads with the "Oh, we prefer to use our own leads for safety purposes", rather than insult a customer. That is not to say I don't plan on putting the three tick boxes on the walking agreement to see if there is any particular lead that they don't want used with their dog - I know some people are extremely anti Flexi leads for example. I don't mind not using a certain type of lead - I just want to be the one checking that it hasn't rusted up/frayed/the stitching coming loose - stops me getting complacent which is always a good thing! I would not want you to be the one checking, although I would like a dog walker to have spare leads just in case!

Chances are, to start of, I'm not going to be walking many dogs at a time, and will always have single dog walks available. Obviously, as someone has said, you can't use more than two flexi leads (to be honest, I reckon I could only handle one - so only useful with individuals). Same with long lines - mostly for use in working out whether the dog can actually recall, or whether the owners just think their dog is awesome (pets are like kids sometimes - they can do no wrong!).

I'm more than happy to buy a selection of harnesses and leads (and toys, balls, blankets, etc, etc etc!). It is in my budget, and not to mention being able to embroider leads with my company name/colours. I'm all for subtle advertising.

As far as I've planned, I have no intesion of walking dogs anywhere near roads. Or livestock. Or children. Children during holidays is possible, but so far my planned routes are all off-roading - there are no dog parks (tbh, I've never even seen a dog park - they are rather mythological!).

Last thing...double ended leads. Seem interesting enough, but I'm not sure of the purpose for them? I'm assuming you don't attach them to the same dog? The photo I've looked at on TuffStuff doesn't appear to have a 'handle', and all I can see when I look at it is rope burn when the dogs slide back and forth. I may just be missing the point mind you - never even heard of/seen them before they were mentioned here! :mellow: I use a double ended lead (Dogmatic Gripper). It is fantastic - you can adjust it to various lengths or clip one end to the dog's collar and the other end to another piece of equipment for extra safety such as a headcollar or harness. If you want a handle, you simply clip the one end to the closest ring. No rope burn; it's made out of the same kind of material as horses' reins.

Oh, and last-last thing - thanks to all the people recommending brand names - I'm compiling a list for my wholesaler friend to have a look for. Your suggestions are very welcomed, and exactly what I'm looking for, thank you

I think the bottom line for me is that I use certain equipment for specific reasons for my dog as I am sure that many others do; I would be happy for an experienced dog walker to question my choices and discuss matters, but must admit that I'd be annoyed if the reason they didn't want to use my equipment was because they didn't trust my judgement in selecting and / or maintaining it.