What To Do If You’ve Been Bitten on the Job: The Complete Dog Walker’s Guide
- Tori Lynn Crowther
- Jan 23
- 5 min read
What To Do If You’ve Been Bitten on the Job: The Complete Dog Walker’s Guide
Being bitten as a professional dog walker isn’t just a physical injury — it’s a ripple moment that hits your confidence, your finances, your relationships with clients, and potentially your reputation. This guide walks you through what to do step‑by‑step, so you stay safe, supported, and professionally solid.
1. Immediate First Aid: Protect You First
If a dog bites you, your health comes first.
Steps to take right away:
Clean the woundWash gently with soap and warm water to flush out bacteria.
Stop bleedingUse clean gauze or cloth and steady pressure.
DisinfectApply antiseptic to reduce infection risk.
Cover the woundPut on a sterile dressing.
Seek Medical HelpIf the bite is deep, bleeding heavily, shows signs of infection, or you’re not fully up‑to‑date with tetanus shots — see a healthcare professional immediately.
Human bites and dog bites can both transmit serious infections — treat them seriously.
2. Report It Now: Documentation Is Your Shield
Don’t wait.
Document the incident while it’s fresh:
Date, time, location
Dog’s details (breed, size, name)
Owner’s name and contact
Circumstances of the bite
Witness names
Photos of wound + photos of the scene if relevant
Your immediate actions
Why this matters: This documentation becomes critical for insurance claims, employer records, police reports or health claims later on.
3. Are You Insured?
This is where professional dog walking insurance can make a big difference.
Types of Insurance That Might Help
Public Liability Insurance Covers injuries to other people — including you if you’re an insured contractor.
Personal Accident Insurance Pays you if injury prevents you from working.
Employers’ Liability Insurance If you are employed (not just self‑employed) and the bite occurred during work.
What To Do
Check your policy documents. Know your:
Insurer
Policy number
What’s covered (and what’s not)
Excess amounts
Call your insurer immediately. Report the bite with your notes.
Ask specifically:
Is my medical treatment covered?
Can I claim loss of income?
Do they cover counselling or time off?
Pro tip: If you don’t have Personal Accident cover yet, consider adding it. It’s small in cost but big in peace of mind.
4. Should You Report It as a Dangerous Dog?
Whether to report depends on risk, context and severity.
Factors to Consider:
A. How severe was the bite? Minor nip vs deep puncture.
B. Was this unprovoked? Startled dogs, resource guarding, or predictable triggers change context.
C. Has the dog bitten before? Know the history.
If it might be dangerous:
Inform your local council or animal control
A dangerous dog designation can mandate education, muzzling, secure containment
This protects future walkers and the dog
A report isn’t punitive — it’s precautionary.
5. Should You Tell the Client?
Here’s a rule you can stand on:
Yes — always tell the owner if their dog has bitten you.
What to Say
Calmly explain:
What happened
Where you were bitten
What triggered the reaction (if you know)
Your first aid / medical outcome
Your plan moving forward
This builds professionalism, trust and avoids surprises.
6. Should You Walk the Dog Again?
There is no one‑size verdict, but here’s a decision tree:
IF:
Bite was minor
Owner takes it seriously
You agree on management steps (muzzle, training, behaviour plan)
➡️ You might continue working with clear boundaries and safeguards.
IF:
Bite was severe
Owner is defensive or dismissive
The dog has a pattern of aggression
➡️ It’s time to decline future walks — for safety and liability reasons.
You can still help the client find a specialist trainer or behaviourist. That’s professional and kind.
7. Should You Ask for a Muzzle?
Yes, if the dog has shown biting behaviour.
Muzzles are safety tools, not punishments.
Benefits:
Protects humans and other dogs
Allows safe socialisation under supervision
Reduces owner anxiety
Keeps you legally covered
Types to Consider:
Basket muzzles (most comfortable and breathable)
Soft cloth muzzles (best for very short interactions)
Training‑friendly models
Don’t muzzle at the moment of tension. Train muzzle acceptance calmly before walks.
8. Putting It All Together: Your Post‑Bite Checklist
✔ Clean + treat the wound
✔ Document everything
✔ Report to your insurer today
✔ Inform the owner professionally
✔ Evaluate continuing walks with caution
✔ Consider muzzle and behaviour plan
✔ Report dangerous behaviour to authorities if needed
✔ Think about Personal Accident cover in the future
Final Word
Getting bitten is serious — but it doesn’t have to be career‑ending or confidence‑crushing. With the right response, clear communication and proper coverage, you can continue to work safely and professionally.
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. Before building my own dog walking company, I worked as a dog trainer and held corporate roles at Pizza Hut’s Head Office in London and at PricewaterhouseCoopers, based at Embankment Place. Business, structure, and people management have been part of my life for a very long time.
With full time, hands-on experience in the dog industry since 2007, 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.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided on this website is for general information and educational purposes only. It is intended to support pet care professionals in understanding common legal considerations when operating a dog walking or pet care business in the UK.
This content does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for advice from a qualified solicitor or legal professional. Laws, regulations and local authority requirements may change over time and can vary depending on location and individual circumstances.
While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date at the time of publication, no guarantees are made regarding completeness or applicability to your specific situation.
By using this website, you acknowledge that:
✓ You are responsible for ensuring your own business complies with all relevant UK laws and local authority rules
✓ You should seek professional legal advice before drafting, using or relying on any contract or legal document
✓ The website owner accepts no liability for loss, damage or legal issues arising from the use of this information
If you are unsure about any legal obligations, contractual terms or liabilities, it is strongly recommended that you consult a solicitor experienced in small business or consumer law.
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