Walking Dogs? Please Help?

Question

What age do you think is appropriate for a girl to be walking dogs alone? How old do you think the girl should be?

9 or under, 10, 11, 12 13 or older?

Answer 1

13 and up in a secure neighborhood!!

Answer 2

I think that really all depends on a few factors, among them where this individual would be walking the dogs (NYC vs. rural KS), the maturity level and experience of the individual, at what time of day/night these walks would take place and what, if any supervision the individual would have.

I live in a small town in WA and would not mind a 9 or 10 year old walking my pug (small dog) after school if supervised by an adult...but would probably not want to give carte blanche access to my house via a key to get access to my dog to an individual that young.

A lot of factors that go into an answer.

Answer 3

It depends on
1) How well the dog behaves
2) How well the child can handle the dog
If she can not handle the dog (small girl/large dog) in an emergency, then I would wait a while.

As a person who has worked in public safety for 30+ years, I have a serious concern in letting a young child to be out by herself. It depends on your neighborhood and whether you, as a parent, are willing to risk her safety. (Even the safest neighborhoods can have predators driving through.) Perhaps walking the dog should be a family event until she becomes older.

Answer 4

It depends.

If you live in a quite, suttle neighborhood that isn't busy, then I guess 9 or so. It depends on how mature they are.

If you live in a busy city, then I'd say at least 12. As I said, it also depends how mature they are. If I child 11 or so really wants to walk a dog, I suggest an older child or an adult comes with them. If she or he has an older sister or brother, this is a perfect opportunity for them to have fun together.

Good Luck and God Bless,

Carrie

Answer 5

If you're talking about a dog walking business, then probably 12 or 13. That's assuming she is in a safe neighborhood and the dogs are at least half of her own weight.

Answer 6

depends ive been walking dogs with friends at the age of 9 so 9 and up in daytime in a good neighborhood

Answer 7

I would not let anyone under 16 walk a dog alone. Would a child know what to do if another dog ran out and attacked their dog? There are alot of scenarios out there that would shake up an adult let alone a child. I cringe when I see kids walking dogs.

Answer 8

That depends on a lot of things, the neighborhood, the dog, how far the walk is, etc. Also take into consideration that dogs can get into spats - could the young lady physically and emotionally handle that responsibility?

Answer 9

These days, I would say 13 and older unless you have a dog that knows how to protect you. I know it sounds kind of dumb if they are just going around the block or something. You just don't know what kind of sick person may be your neighbor these days. Wouldn't want anything to happen to them walking a dog.

Answer 10

for the safety of the girl i would say at least 15-16 to be walking alone. if there was a friend 13 might be ok. (i am big on safety in numbers)

Answer 11

Depends on the breed and the area where the dog will be walked.