Why Have a Written Protocol
Most walks are uneventful — that's exactly why it's easy to put off thinking through what you'd do if something went wrong. But a written plan, even a simple one, means that if something does happen, you're executing a plan instead of improvising under stress.
The goal isn't to create anxiety about rare events. It's to make sure that if a rare event happens, you and the owner both know what to expect from each other.
If a Dog Is Injured
- Get the dog to safety — away from traffic, other animals, or anything that could make the situation worse
- Assess the severity — is this something that can wait until the owner gets home, or does it need immediate attention?
- Contact the owner immediately for anything beyond a minor scrape
- For serious injuries, head to the vet listed in your records — don't wait for a callback if the situation looks urgent
The middle step — assessing severity — is the hardest part, and it's okay to err on the side of caution. A vet visit that turns out to be unnecessary is a much better outcome than delaying care for something serious.
If a Dog Gets Loose
A dog slipping out of a collar or harness is one of the more common "worst case" scenarios walkers worry about — and it's worth having a plan precisely because panic makes it harder to handle well.
- Don't chase directly — for many dogs, being chased turns into a game, making them run further. Try to keep the dog in sight while approaching calmly.
- Use a calm, familiar tone — sit or crouch down, call the dog's name in a relaxed voice, and avoid sudden movements
- Notify the owner immediately — they may be able to help search, notify neighbors, or think of places the dog might go
- Check nearby yards, under porches, and other hiding spots — scared dogs often go to ground rather than running far
If You Can't Reach the Owner
This is exactly why collecting a secondary emergency contact during onboarding matters — see the meet-and-greet checklist for what to gather upfront. If the primary owner doesn't answer:
- Try the secondary emergency contact
- For non-urgent situations, leave a clear message and follow up via text
- For urgent situations involving the dog's health, proceed based on whatever pre-authorization you've discussed (see below) rather than waiting indefinitely
Your Own Emergency Plan
Emergency protocols usually focus on the dog — but what if something happens to you during a walk? A fall, a medical issue, or an accident leaves a dog without supervision and a client without information.
- Carry ID and emergency contact info on you, separate from your phone
- Let someone (a family member, friend, or your own emergency contact) know your general route and schedule, especially for solo walks in less populated areas
- Consider how a client would know something was wrong — e.g., if your post-walk update doesn't arrive within a reasonable window
Setting This Up With New Clients
The best time to cover this is during the meet-and-greet, before anything has gone wrong:
Having this conversation upfront, even briefly, means everyone knows the plan — and you're not negotiating it in the moment.
Keeping Emergency Info Accessible
In an emergency, you need vet info and emergency contacts immediately — not after scrolling through old texts. DogWalkr keeps each client's emergency details attached to their profile, so the information you need is always one tap away.
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