Walking a dog for someone isolating with coronavirus?
Discussion
Our neighbours are isolating having tested positive for coronavirus. They've asked if I would help walk their dog, which as I'm already walking another one for someone else who is away, shouldn't be too much of a chore.
Clearly the dog itself is a possible source of transmission through contact, as is the pick up and drop off, when I propose to wear gloves and a mask, plus washing hands on getting home. I'm just wondering what other precautions, others might be taking in similar circumstances?
I've read this gov.uk page, but it isn't specific about the pick up and drop off: Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for people in England with animals
"Exercising your animal
If your animal cannot be exercised at home, you should ask someone outside of your household or support bubble to exercise your animal for you, or access exercising services provided by a professional. If you are exercising an animal on behalf of someone who is self-isolating, you should wash your hands before and after contact with it."
Clearly the dog itself is a possible source of transmission through contact, as is the pick up and drop off, when I propose to wear gloves and a mask, plus washing hands on getting home. I'm just wondering what other precautions, others might be taking in similar circumstances?
I've read this gov.uk page, but it isn't specific about the pick up and drop off: Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for people in England with animals
"Exercising your animal
If your animal cannot be exercised at home, you should ask someone outside of your household or support bubble to exercise your animal for you, or access exercising services provided by a professional. If you are exercising an animal on behalf of someone who is self-isolating, you should wash your hands before and after contact with it."
Edited by GliderRider on Sunday 5th December 16:39
Absolutely baffling why adults are asking people about 'guidance' or 'recommendations' about stuff like this.
Covid spreads.
You'll get it every year.
Get vaccinated and you probably won't get as sick.
Walk someones dog who has Covid, and you might catch it. Wearing gloves and mask might reduce the risk.
What else do you want from people?
What part of the above don't you know already?
Do you want advice on going to the shop?
Covid spreads.
You'll get it every year.
Get vaccinated and you probably won't get as sick.
Walk someones dog who has Covid, and you might catch it. Wearing gloves and mask might reduce the risk.
What else do you want from people?
What part of the above don't you know already?
Do you want advice on going to the shop?
responses on this threadMy experience is a sample size of one, so don't take it as gospel, but I did the following:
- Knocked on their door and stood well back.
- Let the dog run over to me, and then took it for a walk like normal.
- Didn't bother with balls or toys, but their dog was a bit older so was happy with a good run and a sniff by the river.
- When I got back I knocked on the door, and stood well back.
- The dog ran back into the house.
- Sanitised my hands before getting back in the car, and washed them properly when I got home.
The final, important stage was to go for a few beers when he was well and the pubs were open, and let him buy the first round.
- Knocked on their door and stood well back.
- Let the dog run over to me, and then took it for a walk like normal.
- Didn't bother with balls or toys, but their dog was a bit older so was happy with a good run and a sniff by the river.
- When I got back I knocked on the door, and stood well back.
- The dog ran back into the house.
- Sanitised my hands before getting back in the car, and washed them properly when I got home.
The final, important stage was to go for a few beers when he was well and the pubs were open, and let him buy the first round.
louiebaby said:
My experience is a sample size of one, so don't take it as gospel, but I did the following:
- Knocked on their door and stood well back.
- Let the dog run over to me, and then took it for a walk like normal.
- Didn't bother with balls or toys, but their dog was a bit older so was happy with a good run and a sniff by the river.
- When I got back I knocked on the door, and stood well back.
- The dog ran back into the house.
- Sanitised my hands before getting back in the car, and washed them properly when I got home.
The final, important stage was to go for a few beers when he was well and the pubs were open, and let him buy the first round.
Thanks for all the replies. I probably was overthinking it all, just because it was my first contact with somene I knew for sure had tested positive.- Knocked on their door and stood well back.
- Let the dog run over to me, and then took it for a walk like normal.
- Didn't bother with balls or toys, but their dog was a bit older so was happy with a good run and a sniff by the river.
- When I got back I knocked on the door, and stood well back.
- The dog ran back into the house.
- Sanitised my hands before getting back in the car, and washed them properly when I got home.
The final, important stage was to go for a few beers when he was well and the pubs were open, and let him buy the first round.
What louiebaby described is not far off the mark. The 'covid dog' did come rushing out to meet me, so I didn't have to get close to the owner, and as I had my own lead ready, it was just a case of clipping it on.
After the walk, I dropped the other dog back to its owner, at which point there was a 'ping' and 'covid dog' shot in the house after it. I must have clipped the lead onto the nametag ring and not the heavy one for the lead.
Anyway 'covid dog' was retrieved and returned home. It then transpired this was a one off, as the owners had already booked a professional dog walker starting Monday morning.
Whether any beers will result I have yet to ascertain...
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