Find out about our professional dog walkers code of conduct, which companies have signed up to it, and how your business can become a member of the scheme.
Professional dog walkers
Professional dog walkers are those who walk dogs for profit or gain. We recommend that no more than four dogs are walked at any one time.
Professional dog walkers who sign up to the Council’s Professional Dog Walkers Code of Conduct agree to:
- clean up after and appropriately dispose of mess from the dogs in their charge at all times – setting an example to members of the public
- keep dogs under proper control in line with the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and the Dogs Act 1871
- make themselves aware of and comply with all current laws and by-laws relating to dogs
- ensure every dog walked by them in a highway or public place wears a collar with the name and address of its owner inscribed on it or on a place or badge attached to it, and are implanted with a microchip with up to date details of the keeper
- provide appropriate insurance cover for the service
- limit the impact that exercising multiple dogs has on other dog walkers to avoid causing concern to members of the public
- only exercise the number of dogs which are covered by their insurance policy, and a maximum of six dogs at a time (the Council recommends no more than four dogs at a time), or in line with appropriate legislation, whichever is the minimum
- not walk dogs off lead without written permission from the owners
- transport dogs in vehicles fitted with adequate ventilation and extraction so it does not cause them distress, especially during hot weather, and to provide them with access to drinking water
- provide adequate caging/containment within vehicles to safely transport the dogs
- not to restrain dogs by leashes or chains within vehicles – if necessary cage doors should be fitted
- have a good knowledge of dog behaviour and skills in dog training and handling
- inform the Dog Warden service in the Harrogate area immediately of any lost dogs by contacting us
- not to board any dog without the appropriate licence as defined under the Animals Boarding Establishment Act 1963
If you would like your company to become a member of this scheme, agree to these terms and wish for your company details to be added to the website, contact us.
Companies that comply with the Professional Dog Walkers Code of Conduct
The following listed companies have agreed to comply with our Professional Dog Walkers Code of Conduct.
If you have had an issue with one of the companies listed on this page that you feel contradicts our code of conduct, please contact us.
