About the Vancouver Professional Dog Walkers Alliance
About us - Dog walking professionals setting the standards, on and off-leash
We are a non-profit peer-governing alliance of community dog care providers, sharing common concerns and striving to make a positive difference in our community.
The main objectives of the VPDWA are:
Why we formed:
When we, as professional dog walkers, began meeting with the GVRD to devise rules and permit systems, we were assured that if a company performed poorly it would be dealt with individually, and that the rest of the permitted companies would not be penalized. We recognized one company as a problem and alerted the GVRD on many occasions.Concern regarding this companies’ ongoing irresponsible actions, was a motivating factor in forming the VPDWA. Many walkers feared such an incident was inevitable given the lacks guidelines and enforcement. Knowing there would be negative affect to both the public and to all walkers, we formed the VPDWA and set out to better govern and protect the industry. The VPDWA extended an open invitation to all dog walking companies to join the VPDWA and follow the rules set out as by the VPDWA and the GVRD. This particular company did not join, and has demonstrated no intention of accepting or following any of the rules.
We formed the Vancouver Professional Dog Walkers’ Alliance to set better standards, and to either convince this one company to clean up their act or set a clear division between them and the rule abiding companies.
VPDWA companies take great measures to ensure safety and do not want to face new restrictions that will harm the viability of our companies. We operate in a manor that is not only safe to public, but actually provides benefits to the public.
The VPDWA proposes to ease GVRD expenses and workload in the following ways:
- Provide a self-governing system within our industry for alliance members
- Provide more effective rules and penalty systems
- Handle public comments and complaints
- Provide or contribute to environmentally friendly dog-waste removal from park
- Pay increased permits fees
- Develop and employ a dog handler competency test
- Display company identification
- Assist in maintenance of trails
- Limit our hours and areas of use
- Assist with courtesy signage, educating public on shared use of park
- Communicate openly, and reassess systems as needed
VPDWA's Role in the Community
Safety among park users is our #1 concern and we believe the main issue. We have recognized the need for more clearly defined guidelines and protocol.
Our Solutions
- We have set in place guidelines, and a system of peer governing, to more effectively manage our industry.
- In recognition of additional costs accunulated by our industry, the VPDWA aims to relieve these burdens wherever possible and make a positive difference by contributing to manpower, trail maintenance and waste removal.
- We have an e-mail address to accommodate public communications.
- We are committed to picking up dog feces and are working with private contractors to find an environmentally friendly dog-waste removal system.
- We are willing to administer our systems to all dog walkers if necessary, at no cost to the Parks Boards.
- The VPDWA aims to build a positive relationship with the Parks Boards and stakeholders for the open sharing of information to help us to strategize short and long term solutions for areas of common concern. We presently allow the Parks Boards access to our meeting agendas and minutes, incoming comments and complaints, and information regarding how we are managing Parks Boards Park issues.
- We need the Parks Boards to recognize that legitimate dog-walking businesses are here to stay, and that it is time they take an active role in enforcement. The VPDWA is willing to take steps to reduce costs and workload on the Parks Boards. We hope that this will translate into time and money that will be effectively spent on reinforcement where it is needed. If further training is needed for Parks Boards staff then we recommend they invest in this area, as it will come back to them through fine payments and the reward of an overall more-contented public.
Park Permit Guidelines and Why they work
Require all dog walking clients to complete a Questionnaire Provides necessary info to know how to effectively manage dog behaviour and what to do/who to contact in case of emergency.
Helps assess dog for off-leash capabilities and appropriateness for group dog walk scenario.
Maximum of 8 dogs per handler Tried, tested and true!
When a few simple precautions are taken, as would be necessary to safely walk even one dog, this is a number a competent dog handler can easily control. Our members have done over 60,000 dogwalks, with more than 500,000 dogs and no dog in any of our groups has ever harmed anyone.
With 8 dogs our businesses still remain viable, allowing us to provide a valuable service to the public, wherein we offer exercise, socialization, rehabilitation, and physical and mental stimulation to peoples' dogs at an affordable price.
No more than 3 dogs off leash at a time
This guideline was a concession made in the spirit of co-operation. No evidence supports the idea that this would be more effective than having all 8 allowed off-leash, leaving it to the handler to leash when appropriate or beneficial for added control. Having dogs on leash only creates a "perception of control" to the uneducated public. In fact, some handlers believe it to be counter productive.
Having dogs on leash can hinder the control of the off leash group. Within a group off trained, sociable, non aggressive dogs, the fewer that are on leash, the safer and more manageable the group is and the more effective the handler can be.
Leashing dogs restricts their natural body language and movement that communicates how they feel (peaceful, friendly, apprehensive, fearful, playful, protective, etc.) to other dogs. Without the freedom of movement, and especially when a dogs' leash is pulled tight upon an encounter so that the dog is given a negative message, a handler can cue a dog to respond more aggressively than it would have, had it been free.
a) Dogs kept on leash for 1st walk
b) Dogs demonstrate recall ability under controlled circumstance before allowed off leash
c) Handler knows dogs' background d) Aggressive dogs are not permitted off leash unless muzzled
These rules support responsible, effective management of the dogs
All dogs under control:
a) Restrained from jumping on people
b) Restrained from barking at people
c) Can be recalled on command
d) A leash is at hand if physical control is required
Ensures dogs are under control and not impacting other park users. These rules support the same high standard of control and etiquette that the VPDWA believes in.
Un-neutered males must be readily identified by yellow or orange survey tape around the collar.
This gives people a chance to observe from a distance that they are about to encounter an intact male. If their dog might react confrontationally, this gives them a chance to communicate any concern, and leash their own dog, moving away from the group if necessary.
Females in heat will not be walked within PSRP during busy periods or in congested areas
Prevents undesirable, hormonal reactions from other dogs.
Commercial Use Permit cards must be displayed on the handler at all times in the park
Identifies legitimate companies
Provides accountability
Facilitates communication with public
Encourages public involvement and enforcement
Handlers responsible for picking up feces of dogs in their care
Decreases
environmental impact and promotes clean, pleasant and healthy parks