u/Fit-Marsupial1451

An off-lead, 10month old grey-brindle whippet was getting into bother this morning along the water of leith pathways (Newhaven road bridge area)

🚨 He had ZERO recall, and was running up to on-lead dogs, stressing dog’s and owners.

‼️ The woman said ‘he’s only 10 months old’ (as if that’s an excuse 🙄). She then said he was attacked the other week (more reason to PUT HIM ON A LEAD?! 😲)

❤️‍🩹 I got chatting to another owner after she tried to pick the dogs apart (whippet’s owner was too far behind).

❤️‍🩹 She’s training her wee puppy, and said owners like that make her avoid these pathways. She doesn’t want to limit her dog’s learning, but it’s so stressful.

💔 We agreed it’s humans who need training!, but sadly ones like that seem to be the MOST ignorant/not wish to learn. Everyone suffers (including her dog who’s at real risk of getting hurt one day soon 😔 ).

📣 Dogs DON’T need to meet every single other dog they encounter, it creates reactivity (for both parties!). After-all, do you want to chat to every human you walk near? (I know I don’t! 🫣).

🤎 Most of us are responsible, it’s the few who ruin it for the many (like most things in society!)

🤘🏻 Solidarity to all walkers/owners just trying to do their best in such times.

TDLR: If your dog has no/poor recall, please pop them on a lead, or you’re risking your dog coming to harm.

I'm new to pet sitting/boarding etc, so just keen to get my ducks in a row (go easy on me!).

I'm seeing I may need a license from the council to board dogs at my home?, so it would be great to hear from other people who are in a similar position and have knowledge about this.

For info:

- I have Pet Business Insurance.

- I only ever have 1 dog at a time in my home, and I'm not busy (look after 1-2 dogs per month for a few days at a time)

- I've not earned above the 1k this tax year yet.

- My Enable Works coach tried to contact the council 4 times, but each time they said to email them (she did, but they still haven't replied....).

-My Enable Works coach has also contacted Business Gateway as Enable don't provide support for self employment unfortunately. They are going to assign me a person/contact me next week. From the brief registration call I had with them, they didn't seem to know either (about licensing etc) hence coming to the auld Reddit.

Any experienced advice welcome, cheers!