Edinburgh Dog Walkers

Code of Conduct for Professional Dog Walkers (from Edinburgh Council Website).

Professional dog walkers using the City of Edinburgh
Council’s Public Parks and Greenspace agree to:

1. Clean up after the dogs in their charge, in line with the Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003.

2. Keep dogs under proper control, in line with the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 and Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953.

3. Minimise the impact that exercising multiple dogs could have on other park users. Quiet parks, or quiet areas within parks, should be used over busy parks and spaces near children’s play areas. Parks with sensitive wildlife areas should be avoided.

4. Take extra care when arriving and leaving parks and
greenspace to minimise issues for other users. All dogs should be walked away from and returned to the vehicle on a lead.

5. Provide public liability insurance cover for their service.

6. Only exercise the number of dogs that are covered by their insurance policy, and exercise adequate control in line with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. The City of Edinburgh Council recommends a maximum of 6 – 8 dogs at any one time.

7. Have a good knowledge of dog behaviour and reliable skills in training and handling dogs.

8. Make themselves aware of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (www.outdooraccess-scotland.com) and the City of Edinburgh Council’s Park Management Rules (www.edinburgh.gov.uk/parkrules) relating to dogs.