I posted a few days ago, but nobody has offered up any advice on the following problem with one of my clients (Sammie) that I walk daily.

"I am a dog walker in NYC with my own business, serving nine clients daily. I’m having an unusual problem with one of my new clients.

I recently took on a new dog, Sammie, an 18-month-old chocolate lab. Sammie is walked twice daily with a group of four to six other dogs. Unfortunately, Sammie will not move his bowels when in the group. He’s not skittish, nor does he behave awkwardly in any other way. He seems embarrassed, quite frankly, when any of the other dogs have a bowel movement. I have to tie the other dogs off and take Sammie off on his own to get him to do his business. (And even then he won’t go if I’m looking at him.)"

I have since heard back from an animal behaviorist at the ASPCA, but that info hasn't seemed to help.

Has anyone else had this problem? I know it's not my dog, and Sammie's owner doesn't seem to take the time to fix this, but it's really hampering my walking schedule.

& how would you suggest the owner "fix this"?

the dog should be walked with one other dog for awhile & see if things improve. then gradually add a dog over time. there may be no cure

I am very worried about you tieing the other dogs somewhere while taking this one to hide in the bushes. I realize you aren't far off but we're talking NYC here & I doubt their owners would be real happy

Originally Posted by suebgone

& how would you suggest the owner "fix this"?

the dog should be walked with one other dog for awhile & see if things improve. then gradually add a dog over time. there may be no cure

I am very worried about you tieing the other dogs somewhere while taking this one to hide in the bushes. I realize you aren't far off but we're talking NYC here & I doubt their owners would be real happy

The Behaviorial specialists that I've heard from suggest that this is something the owner should seek professional help for, as it persists both when Sammie's with me as well as at home (in his comfort zone). Aside from that, I haven't a clue how to "fix this," but that's why I've turned to this community as someone may have experienced something similar. I'm a dog walker, not a shrink. And while I love animals, and I care for my dog clientele, I am in search of a solution that is hampering my business. I imagine that many dog walkers would simply tell the owner, "Here's your dog. He won't crap. It's your problem."

And my dogs are NEVER in harms way. This is NYC, not Mexico City where stray dogs out number people and the crime rate is nearly twice as high as any U.S. city.