One of the Top Dog Walkers in Orange County Reveals the Tricks of Her Trade

[ad_1]

February 2018

Photograph by means of Salty Dog Studio

Hundreds of glad purchasers and 8½ years in the industry have made Kelsey DiGiacobbe one of the highest-rated canine walkers and puppy sitters in the county. The Laguna Niguel resident is a one-woman dynamo, strolling domestic dogs one family at a time between visits to different critters, together with her personal canine—two miniature dachshunds named Tucker and, of path, PeeWee.

How do you break up your time between canine strolling and puppy sitting?
Dog strolling is what I name my bread and butter—it’s in most cases Monday thru Friday for people who find themselves at paintings and will’t stroll their canine. Pet sitting is extra seasonal, when other people generally tend to take holidays, and would possibly contain canine strolling or simply visits to feed and play with the animals.

Does that come with cats?
About 1 / 4 of the industry is cat sitting. I sit up for the cat visits as a result of they’re a reduction bodily. It’s great to only play with a cat with a laser pointer after a hectic day of strolling.

How a lot time do you generally spend strolling?
I almost certainly stroll for 5 to 6 hours on a hectic day. That’s now not together with touring or anything. I do not know what number of miles I do. I don’t trouble striking on make-up anymore—I’m simply going to sweat it off!

Do you ever take care of different varieties of animals?
Birds, chickens, rabbits. I taken care of some goats after I used to are living in Fullerton.

How about your personal canine?
I plan my paintings time table in order that I don’t depart them at house for greater than 5 hours a time. I used to be getting so busy at one level that I had the idea of hiring a canine walker for my very own canine! Then I spotted that used to be nuts.

Any famous person purchasers?
I’ve had purchasers who had been giant on Instagram. The canine, I imply. There are two mini dachshunds from Brea named Dash and Piper that experience (14 thousand) fans. And State Senator Josh Newman used to be a shopper for 5 years when I used to be in north O.C. He has 3 feisty Chihuahuas.

Advice for somebody who would possibly wish to get started a canine strolling or puppy sitting industry?
Some other people say, “Oh I want your job—I hate people. I want to work with animals.” But the factor is, I paintings with other people too. I’m at all times interacting with the (human) purchasers. Some are even house whilst I’m there—possibly they make money working from home, possibly they’re bodily not able to stroll the canine. Also, it’s a filthy activity. I’m lined in bruises from being jumped on. You need to have persistence. Sometimes the animals are so apprehensive to start with. You have to stick calm and take your time. If it takes me part an hour to get the leash on a canine the first couple of occasions, that’s OK.

Any different courses you’ve discovered alongside the manner?
I used to be strolling a couple of Bernese mountain canine—giant canine. The first time went OK. The 2nd time, a cat ran by means of they usually took off. Most other people would almost certainly let cross of the leash at that time. But I couldn’t do this—I used to be liable for their protection. So I used to be principally snowboarding throughout the grass. Luckily the cat disappeared and I received regulate. But I spotted that I almost certainly shouldn’t be strolling canine that weigh greater than I do.

peeweesplaydates.com

 

Be an Orange Coast Insider!

And get native tales, invitations, unique provides and extra!



[ad_2]

About Jake Schen

Check Also

How Much Exercise Does a Rhodesian Ridgeback Need?

[ad_1] The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a powerful and energetic breed, at first bred to seek …