First Aid and Emergency Procedures for Professional Dog Walkers: What You Need to Know
- Tori Lynn Crowther
- Jul 4, 2025
- 6 min read
First Aid and Emergency Procedures for Professional Dog Walkers: What You Need to Know
As a professional dog walker, your role goes beyond simply taking dogs out for a walk. You're responsible for their safety, health, and well-being during the time they're in your care. Just like any other caregiver, knowing what to do in case of an emergency is crucial. First aid knowledge and a calm, effective response can save a dog’s life and help you handle any unexpected situation. Here’s everything you need to know about first aid and emergency procedures.
1. Basic First Aid Training for Dog Walkers
Before you can be prepared for any emergency, it's essential to invest in first aid training specific to animals. While human first aid courses are helpful, animals have different anatomical and physiological needs. Therefore, animal first aid training, including CPR for dogs, is vital. You can take courses offered by organisations like the Red Cross, The Pet First Aid Institute, or St. John Ambulance. These courses cover:
CPR for Dogs: Knowing how to resuscitate a dog is one of the most critical skills for any dog walker.
Wound Care: Learn how to clean, bandage, and treat cuts, scrapes, and puncture wounds.
Choking Management: Understanding how to handle a dog that is choking and how to clear its airway can save its life.
Heatstroke and Hypothermia: Learn how to spot the signs of heatstroke or hypothermia and how to respond accordingly.
Recognising Signs of Poisoning: Identify symptoms of poisoning and act quickly to prevent further harm.
2. What to Do in Common Dog Walking Emergencies
Here are the step-by-step actions you should take in common emergencies that may arise while you're out walking a dog:
A. Dog Bites or Injuries
Whether the injury occurs from a dog fight, a fall, or contact with sharp objects, here’s what you need to do:
Assess the injury: Check if the dog is bleeding. If it is, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or bandage.
Stop the bleeding: Use a bandage or cloth to apply firm pressure to the wound. If bleeding doesn’t stop after a few minutes, call an emergency vet.
Prevent infection: Once bleeding is controlled, clean the wound gently with lukewarm water and mild antiseptic.
Monitor the dog’s behaviour: If the dog is showing signs of pain, fear, or aggression, remain calm and assess their behaviour to ensure you can safely manage the situation.
If the injury is severe (e.g., deep wounds, large amounts of blood), transport the dog to an emergency vet immediately.
B. Choking
Dogs can choke on a foreign object or food, leading to dangerous situations. Here's what to do:
Stay calm: The dog will likely panic, and you need to remain as calm as possible.
Check the mouth: Gently open the dog’s mouth and look for the object. If it’s visible and you can safely remove it, do so with your fingers or a pair of tweezers.
Heimlich manoeuvre for dogs: If the object is lodged and you can’t reach it, perform the Heimlich manoeuvre by placing your hands just below the ribcage and giving a firm, quick squeeze. For smaller dogs, hold them upside down with their head lower than their body and gently tap their back to dislodge the object.
Call for help: If the object is not dislodged after these steps, or if the dog goes unconscious, contact an emergency vet immediately.
C. Heatstroke
Dogs, especially brachycephalic breeds (like Bulldogs and Pugs), are more susceptible to heatstroke during warm weather.
Signs of Heatstroke: Excessive panting, drooling, weakness, vomiting, or confusion.
What to do:
Move the dog to a shaded area or indoors immediately to cool them down.
Offer water: Allow the dog to drink small amounts of cool (not cold) water.
Cool the dog: Gently apply cool water to the dog’s fur, especially around their paws, belly, and head. You can also use cool, wet towels to help bring their temperature down.
Monitor closely: Take the dog to the vet immediately if they don't improve quickly. Heatstroke can be fatal if not treated swiftly.
D. Hypothermia
On the flip side, dogs can suffer from hypothermia in cold weather, especially smaller dogs or those with thin coats.
Signs of Hypothermia: Shivering, lethargy, slow heart rate, and weak breathing.
What to do:
Warm the dog up gradually by wrapping them in blankets or towels.
Provide warmth: Use a warm (not hot) water bottle or heating pad, but avoid direct contact with heat sources.
Monitor closely and get the dog to a vet as soon as possible.
E. Poisoning
Dogs can ingest toxic substances during walks, from household chemicals to harmful plants. Common signs of poisoning include drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, or seizures.
What to do:
Identify the substance: If you can, try to determine what the dog ingested. Check the environment for any signs of chemicals, plants, or foods that may be harmful.
Call the vet: Contact the dog’s vet or the Animal Poison Control Hotline immediately. Provide as much information as possible about the potential toxin.
Keep the dog calm: Prevent the dog from further ingesting the substance if possible, and try to keep them calm until professional help arrives.
3. Tools Every Dog Walker Should Carry
Being prepared for emergencies requires the right tools. Here’s a list of items that can be a lifesaver in an emergency:
First Aid Kit: Make sure your kit is stocked with basic supplies like bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze pads, tweezers, scissors, and adhesive tape.
Muzzle: If a dog is injured and in pain, they may act aggressively. A muzzle can help keep both you and the dog safe in case the dog bites due to stress or fear.
Leash & Harness: Always carry a spare leash or harness in case of equipment failure.
Water and a Portable Bowl: Keeping dogs hydrated is essential, especially in warmer months.
Phone & Emergency Contacts: Always carry a fully charged phone with access to local emergency vets and pet poison control numbers.
4. How to Handle Emotional Stress During Emergencies
It’s natural to feel overwhelmed when an emergency happens, but staying calm is critical. Here’s how to manage emotional stress:
Take deep breaths: Calm yourself before taking any action. Your emotional state will directly affect the dogs in your care.
Have a plan: Practising your emergency response can reduce panic when the real situation arises. Have a checklist or mental process that you can follow in high-stress situations.
Reach out for support: If you’re feeling stressed or unsure, don’t hesitate to contact the dog’s owner or an emergency professional for guidance.
5. After the Emergency: Reporting and Documentation
Once the emergency has been resolved, it’s important to follow up with proper documentation:
Report the incident to the dog’s owner: Inform them of what happened, how you handled it, and any follow-up care the dog may need.
Document the incident: Write down all details of the emergency, including time, symptoms, treatment, and any professional help received.
Review and learn: After the situation has settled, consider if there are any improvements you could make to prevent similar emergencies in the future.
Conclusion
Being a professional dog walker means being a first responder when it comes to your client's dogs. First aid knowledge and emergency preparedness are not optional – they are essential. By taking the time to learn first aid, stay calm in stressful situations, and carry the right tools, you can ensure that every dog in your care remains safe, healthy, and happy, even when things go wrong.
About Tori Lynn C. & The Dog House
Welcome to The Dog House — my cosy corner of the TLC Canine Crusaders Business Hub. I’m Tori Lynn C., the founder of TLC Dog Walking Limited, mentor to professional dog walkers, and lifelong advocate for dogs and the people who care for them. With over 17 years of hands-on experience in the industry, my mission is to guide you through the realities of running a successful, sustainable dog walking business — from client care and safety to wellbeing, confidence, and professional growth.
The Dog House is where I share the honest, behind-the-scenes conversations we all need: the tricky moments, the funny bits, the business lessons, and the mindset work that keeps us thriving rather than merely surviving. Whether you're just starting out or scaling up, you’ll always find support, guidance, and a friendly nudge forward here.
You’re never alone in this journey — you’re part of a community of canine crusaders.
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