Post by Jane on Jul 13, 2011 14:33:04 GMT -5
VENUE: 1. Make sure that there is sufficient parking for the number of people who will be attending the walk. 2. Notify all walkers prior to the day of the walk if a parking charge applies. 3. Ensure that the route will suit all abilities of hound and owner. 4. Enquire if permission is needed to walk a large group of dogs at your chosen venue. 5. Toilet facilities and refreshment facilities are not essential but may be nice for those who want to socialise afterwards and may provide an opportunity to chat to the public about Sighthounds.
PREPARATION: 1. Even if you know the walk well, it is recommended that you check it out before the day. 2. Take note of any unusual features, other animals etc. that might worry nervous dogs. 3. Time and plan a route.
PUBLICISE: 1. Use Internet Forums to and Websites to spread the word and recruit walkers in your area. 2. Invite any rescues local to you to come along with a Sighthound or two needing a home. 3. We can provide flyers for you to place in your local vet and pet shops. 4. Take lots of photos on the day which can be used to publicise future walks.
ON THE DAY: 1. Be organised. 2. Ensure you have a full list of people who are attending the walk and mark each person off as they arrive to ensure no one gets left behind. 3. If possible ask a friend without a dog to join you on the walk who can make sure things are running smoothly without being distracted by a dog. 4. At the end of the walk collect feedback on how people feel it went. 5. Engage with the public – hand out flyers and have a chat to people about Sighthounds as pets. 6. Ignore negative attention – we all know that some people have some ill-informed opinions about these dogs, however as the walks are taking place under the Sighthound Stroll name we would ask that you ignore these people or try to engage with them in a calm manner in the hope of educating them.
NON -NEGOTIABLE RULES FOR A SIGHTHOUND STROLL:
1. All dogs must be kept under control and on lead at all times before, during and directly after the official walk. 2. All walkers should ensure that their dog is wearing a well fitted collar to prevent any dogs from slipping their collars and bolting.
3. Dogs of all socialisation levels are welcome, however any dogs who are not good with other dogs must wear a muzzle.
4. Unless your dog is extremely good with other dogs, they should not be allowed to approach any on-lead dogs other than those walking within the sighthound group. We need to be mindful of the fact that we are showcasing sighthounds as pets and even a small altercation between one of our dogs and an unknown dog could cause problems.
5. All dog waste must be picked up and binned in a responsible manner.
6. All owners to ensure they have an adequate supply of water for their dogs as required.
7. Any young pups attending the walk must be fully vaccinated.
8. No leaflets or flyers to be handed out other than those approved by the Sighthound Stroll team.
10. No fundraising to be carried out before, during or after the walk.
9. Sighthound Strolls assume no liability for injury of any nature and/or property damage and death that may occur as a result of walkers and their dog’s participation in any walks advertised on this forum. Walkers to ensure they are covered by their own household, life and pet insurance.
10. The Sighthound Stroll team is to be notified of any problems/issues that arise during a walk by the walk organiser.
11. While Sighthound Strolls are open to everyone and we recommend that they are advertised far and wide, anyone attending a walk must register their interest and provide a contact phone number. The walk organiser should also provide a contact phone number for people to get in touch on the day of the walk. Location details of the walk can be advertised on forums/websites/ fliers but specific details regarding the exact meeting point and time should only be given to people who have registered. This is for safety reasons and to ensure that the organiser knows exactly how many people are attending on the day.
PREPARATION: 1. Even if you know the walk well, it is recommended that you check it out before the day. 2. Take note of any unusual features, other animals etc. that might worry nervous dogs. 3. Time and plan a route.
PUBLICISE: 1. Use Internet Forums to and Websites to spread the word and recruit walkers in your area. 2. Invite any rescues local to you to come along with a Sighthound or two needing a home. 3. We can provide flyers for you to place in your local vet and pet shops. 4. Take lots of photos on the day which can be used to publicise future walks.
ON THE DAY: 1. Be organised. 2. Ensure you have a full list of people who are attending the walk and mark each person off as they arrive to ensure no one gets left behind. 3. If possible ask a friend without a dog to join you on the walk who can make sure things are running smoothly without being distracted by a dog. 4. At the end of the walk collect feedback on how people feel it went. 5. Engage with the public – hand out flyers and have a chat to people about Sighthounds as pets. 6. Ignore negative attention – we all know that some people have some ill-informed opinions about these dogs, however as the walks are taking place under the Sighthound Stroll name we would ask that you ignore these people or try to engage with them in a calm manner in the hope of educating them.
NON -NEGOTIABLE RULES FOR A SIGHTHOUND STROLL:
1. All dogs must be kept under control and on lead at all times before, during and directly after the official walk. 2. All walkers should ensure that their dog is wearing a well fitted collar to prevent any dogs from slipping their collars and bolting.
3. Dogs of all socialisation levels are welcome, however any dogs who are not good with other dogs must wear a muzzle.
4. Unless your dog is extremely good with other dogs, they should not be allowed to approach any on-lead dogs other than those walking within the sighthound group. We need to be mindful of the fact that we are showcasing sighthounds as pets and even a small altercation between one of our dogs and an unknown dog could cause problems.
5. All dog waste must be picked up and binned in a responsible manner.
6. All owners to ensure they have an adequate supply of water for their dogs as required.
7. Any young pups attending the walk must be fully vaccinated.
8. No leaflets or flyers to be handed out other than those approved by the Sighthound Stroll team.
10. No fundraising to be carried out before, during or after the walk.
9. Sighthound Strolls assume no liability for injury of any nature and/or property damage and death that may occur as a result of walkers and their dog’s participation in any walks advertised on this forum. Walkers to ensure they are covered by their own household, life and pet insurance.
10. The Sighthound Stroll team is to be notified of any problems/issues that arise during a walk by the walk organiser.
11. While Sighthound Strolls are open to everyone and we recommend that they are advertised far and wide, anyone attending a walk must register their interest and provide a contact phone number. The walk organiser should also provide a contact phone number for people to get in touch on the day of the walk. Location details of the walk can be advertised on forums/websites/ fliers but specific details regarding the exact meeting point and time should only be given to people who have registered. This is for safety reasons and to ensure that the organiser knows exactly how many people are attending on the day.