Find a registered dog walker
Find a professional dog walker in Brighton & Hove, or register your dog walking business with us.
Professional dog walkers scheme
The professional dog walkers scheme promotes the highest standards for Brighton & Hove dog walking companies.
It’s a voluntary scheme. Dog walkers who register with us agree to the professional dog walker's code of conduct.
These businesses are part of our professional dog walkers scheme.
List of professional dog walkers
Bien Perro
Go to the Bien Perro website for contact details.
Brightdogs
Go to the Brightdogs website for contact details.
Brighton Barkers
Go to the Brighton Barkers website for contact details.
Brighton Dog Adventures
Phone 07718 123 989
Send an email to brightondogadventures.chris@gmail.com
Daisy Doo’s Dog Walking
Go to the Daisy Doo's Dog Walking Instagram page.
Hugo and Hounds
Phone 07508 056 770.
Little Paws
Go to Little Paws website for contact details.
Love on a Lead
Go the Love on a Lead Instagram page for contact details.
Paws at the Park
Go to the Paws at the Park website for contact details.
Paws to Doorz
Go to the Paws to Doorz website for contact details.
Pop Dog Walking Brighton
Go to the Pop Dog Walking website for contact details.
Preston Park Paws
Go to the Preston Park Paws website for contact details.
Pup Scouts
Go to the Pup Scouts website for contact details.
Snuffle Shuttle
Go to the Snuffle Shuttle website for contact details.
The Dog Runner
Go to The Dog Runner website for contact details.
Waggles & Whiskers
Go to the Waggles and Whiskers website for contact details.
Wags and Whiskers
phone 07932 576 633
Woody's Walks
Become a registered dog walker
The scheme is free to join.
To sign up:
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Read the professional dog walker's code of conduct and the checklist below.
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Read our dog walker's scheme application privacy notice.
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Complete the dog walker application and insurance forms.
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Once completed, send your forms by:
- email to animalwardens@brighton-hove.gov.uk
- post to Animal Warden Team, Brighton & Hove City Council, 2nd Floor Bartholomew House, Bartholomew Square, Brighton, BN1 1JE
Professional dog walker's code of conduct
We recognise the importance of promoting responsible dog walking. Dog walking companies must treat the safety and welfare of dogs and people as their top priority.
To follow our standards, we invite you to agree to:
- get your clients to sign an agreement and consent form, about the safety and well-being of their pets while you look after them
- clean up after the dogs you look after
- keep the dogs you look after under proper control, in line with the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and The Dogs Act 1871
- familiarise yourself with Section 4 and Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006
- make sure your dog walkers wear an identification badge with the company name and contact details when walking dogs in public
- attach visible identification to the dogs with details of your company, as well as the tag with the owner's details
- keep up to date with any changes in the law on micro-chipping and dangerous dogs
- do everything you can to reduce the impact on other park users of walking many dogs
- provide appropriate insurance coverage for the business
- only exercise the number of dogs covered by your insurance policy and keep them under control in line with dog laws
- only transport dogs in vehicles that are fit for purpose, with current insurance, tax, MOT and efficient heat and temperature control
- make sure the vehicle is ventilated properly for the size of the vehicle and the number of dogs
- have a good knowledge of dog behaviour and skills in dog training and handling
- have a sound knowledge of canine first aid
- register with a local vet
- have a plan of action in the event of an emergency
Defra transport requirements state you must also agree to always carry clean, fresh drinking water and clean bowls to offer dogs after exercise.
You must not restrain dogs by leashes or chains within the vehicles. Cages or containment in your vehicle must be suitable for the size and number of dogs, to safely transport them.
Ideally, cage doors should be fitted to the vehicle.
Professional dog walkers scheme checklist
Refer to this checklist to make sure you're ready for your inspection.
Undertake the training needed:
- you should have completed a certified Canine First Aid course and be competent in all aspects of dog husbandry
Have an agreement and consent form for all your clients:
- these forms should be held securely and available for inspection if an Animal Warden or Council Officer asks to see them
- the forms should include emergency contact information and consents to enable you to:
- walk dogs as part of a pack
- transport dogs as part of a pack
- walk dogs off lead
- provide basic grooming - brushing, washing if required
- provide emergency first aid if required
- take a dog to an appointed vet if necessary
Cleaning up after the dogs in your care:
- you're required to remove and suitably dispose of all dog waste in connection with your dog walking business
Dog leads and collars for the number of dogs you'll be walking and keeping all dogs in your charge under proper control:
- if the owners provide leads, make sure you have a suitable number of spares in case of loss or breakage
- you must be able to manage all the dogs under your control, and make sure they do not cause harm or nuisance to other members of the public or other animals
The Animal Welfare Act 2006:
- specifically, section 4 (Unnecessary suffering) and Section 9 (Duty of person responsible for animal to ensure welfare)
- you should have procedures in place to prevent any breaches of section 4 and 9
Identification badge with your company name on it:
- you must have an identification badge stating the company name and contact details - you must wear this while you walk dogs in public spaces
- you may also choose to wear something with your company name and contact information on it, such as a t-shirt, hoodie or jacket
Dog tags:
- when on a walk, all dogs in your care must wear an additional tag that has your company name and phone number inscribed on it
Minimising the impact of multiple dogs being exercised and avoiding concern to members of the public:
- consider the actions you will take to minimise the overall impact of walking multiple dogs, especially if you plan to walk in high traffic areas or at busy times of the day - you should specify within your procedure how you aim to do this and provide this at your inspection.
Indemnity insurance:
- the policy should specify the number of dogs you are allowed to walk
- provide insurance documentation at the inspection
Vehicle insurance for business use:
- provide a valid certificate of insurance at your inspection
Valid driver’s license:
- provide your driver's license at your inspection
M.O.T. certificate (if required):
- if multiple vehicles are used, you must provide this for all vehicles
Securely fitted cages in the vehicle for the dogs you will walk:
- each dog in the vehicle should have its own cage - it should be of a suitable size for the dog being transported and the dog should be comfortable within the vehicle
- dogs must not be left unattended in vehicles
Ventilation in the vehicle:
- if you're using the vehicles air conditioning, you will need to make sure it stays recharged
- you must ensure the welfare of all dogs while being transported in the vehicle and particularly how weather conditions will affect internal vehicle temperatures
Water bowls and an adequate supply of clean water in the vehicle:
- adequate steps should be taken to avoid competition between dogs, especially dogs that are unfamiliar with one another - this can be done by having one bowl per dog and giving water to some dogs while maintaining control over the remaining dogs in your care
First aid kit:
- you must carry a canine first aid kit in your vehicle - all items must be in date
Cleaning equipment:
- pet safe cleaning products must be available for cleaning cages as required - you should have pet safe disinfectant, cleaning spray, absorbent cloths or towels, pet safe wipes and bags for disposal
- all waste should be suitably disposed of
Written emergency plan:
- this should cover unforeseen circumstances such as a vehicle breakdown, a road traffic collision, if you need to change your schedule on short notice and if a dog is taken ill while in your care, especially if it involves an emergency trip to the vets
Register with a local vet:
- the vet must be aware that you're registering as a dog walker - ideally the vet should be near the area, especially in cases of emergency where a dog requires urgent veterinary attention
Right to remove a registered professional dog walker from the scheme
If we receive information that indicates a registered professional dog walker has breached any particular code of conduct and on the balance of probabilities this is established, we reserve the right to remove said walker from our registered professional dog walker list.
The dog walker will be given the right to respond, but we'll limit the reviews to one other than in exceptional circumstances.