Contract April 2019

While we try never to lose a dog, they are animals with their own mind, and occasionally these things can happen.  They could follow the wrong person, take the wrong path, chase a squirrel up a tree, get a great scent that is too good to ignore.  We do specialise in off lead walking and whilst most of our walks go without a hitch, the odd dog may slip off, even the best trained dog can be unpredictable. We can truthfully say we get no more than one a month, and considering we walk thousands of dogs over that period, that is not bad going.  We do have a lost dog policy that we stick to.

​

We ask that every dog has an up to date name tag on at all times with one or even two telephone numbers to call and your address.  All dogs are also required to have a microchip.  Both these are required by law.

​

We do not consider a dog lost until it has not been seen for 15 minutes.  During which time, we will be calling, retracing our steps and getting any other dogs back towards the vehicle, as this is where a dog that has slipped off or got lost is likely to head to.  This is why we always try to park our vehicle as close to any walk as possible with our boot facing a curb or entrance.  

​

If there is still no sighting after 15 minutes, your dog walker will inform admin and their team leader, who will send out an emergency email to all the other team members so that any in the area are aware that there is a dog missing and can head over towards the location if possible.  Admin will also utilise Facebook to ensure that any local people are aware that there may be a loose dog.  Fb really can be a useful tool in this situation.

​

If the owner was home when the dog walker arrived, the owner will be informed that their dog is missing after this time, however, to avoid any unwanted distress while the owner is unavailable, we will not phone you until your dog has been missing for 30 minutes.  Over my 12 years in dog walking, I have only had two missing longer than 30 minutes, and that is with a whole team of dog walkers out walking dogs daily.  But rest assured, all the team are rallying around to ensure that the dog is found as soon as possible, but trying to avoid any unnecessary stress for you as the owner who is most likely not able to do anything but worry.  At this time we will also call the local dog warden, any kennels in the local area and local vets.

​

Many dogs will still be in the area you are walking all this time and just preoccupied with a new play mate or a great smell, which is making them have selective deafness.

​

If a dog does slip off, it will be placed on the lead for the rest of the walk and depending on the circumstance, walked on the lead until we are as certain as possible that this will not happen again, however, you can never be 100% certain with any dog.

​

If a dog is missing, this will take priority and any walks after will be either walked by your backup walker or delayed, we appreciate your understanding in these difficult circumstances.

 

TRADEMARK NOTICE - TLC Dog Walking is a registered trademark brand. Any person(s) or company found to be using said trademarked name will be in breach of trademark law and infringement proceedings will be issued without warning and all legal costs and compensation will be recovered.