A PIONEERING partnership between professional dog walkers and Adur and Worthing Councils has been praised for driving up standards.

There are more than 50 professional dog walkers across Adur and Worthing who provide a very popular and, for some, an essential service for pet owners.

But, unlike boarding kennels and pet shops, there is not a legal framework to support and guide on good practice for this profession, which meant the councils’ occasionally receiving complaints from members of the public.

That led to Adur and Worthing Councils implementing a voluntary Code of Conduct in September last year to raise the standard of services.

Within weeks 70 per cent of the known dog walkers joined the scheme.

Now that a year has passed Adur and Worthing are evaluating the results and have been pleased with the large reduction in complaints.

Kate Tester, of Worthing-based Kate’s Dog Walking, said: “Customers liked the fact that council dog wardens have been involved in checking my standards.

“This reassures them that I have the interests and safety of their dogs at heart.”

The code provides dog owners a choice of walker they know is insured, is animal first aid trained and has agreed to the code of conduct.

Councillor Emma Evans, Adur District Council’s executive member for environment, said: “I am pleased that the dog walking community has got behind the scheme and made it such a success.”

Councillor Diane Guest, Worthing Borough Council’s executive member for environment, is pleased with the success of the scheme.

She said: “This has really improved the services offered to dog owners and reduced complaints to our dog wardens.”