Read the scope, outcomes and full checklist guidance
The outcome:The dog-walking business operates lawfully, honestly and professionally as a whole operation, with dog welfare, reliable control and public safety central to every service.
EW1.1: Whole-business responsibility
Certification applies to the dog-walking business as a whole, not to a selected walker, route, vehicle, client group or service. All owners, employees, contractors, assistants, locations, vehicles and walking services that the business owns, manages or materially controls must be disclosed and reasonably available for assessment.
Assessor checklist
Requirement
Certification applies to the dog-walking business as a whole, not to a selected walker, route, vehicle, client group or service. All owners, employees, contractors, assistants, locations, vehicles and walking services that the business owns, manages or materially controls must be disclosed and reasonably available for assessment.
What the Assessor Checks
Compare the declared scope with advertising, bookings, rosters and vehicle use.
Check that solo, group, pack, adventure, puppy, running and transport services have not been selectively excluded.
Evidence
Business structure, service and staff registers, booking records, advertising, vehicle list and interviews.
Meets Standard
There is reasonable evidence that the requirement is met consistently in practice and achieves the required welfare, control and integrity outcome.
Action Required
The requirement is not yet demonstrated consistently in practice, or the available evidence is incomplete and requires a proportionate corrective action.
Critical Non-Compliance
Deliberate concealment of a material service, walker or serious incident may be Critical Non-Compliance.
Result:☐ Meets Standard ☐ Action Required ☐ Critical Non-Compliance
Notes: ____________________________________________________________
EW1.2: Legal, council and land-access requirements
The business must identify and comply with applicable New Zealand animal-welfare, dog-control, workplace-safety, privacy, consumer and transport law, local dog-control bylaws, commercial-walker approvals and rules for every place used. Where a legal, council, land-manager or permit requirement is higher or more specific than these Standards, that requirement applies.
Assessor checklist
Requirement
The business must identify and comply with applicable New Zealand animal-welfare, dog-control, workplace-safety, privacy, consumer and transport law, local dog-control bylaws, commercial-walker approvals and rules for every place used. Where a legal, council, land-manager or permit requirement is higher or more specific than these Standards, that requirement applies.
What the Assessor Checks
Check requirements for each council area, reserve, beach, track and conservation area regularly used.
Verify licences, approvals, registration and microchip checks where required.
Evidence
Legal register, council or land-manager approvals, route list, dog records and review dates.
Meets Standard
There is reasonable evidence that the requirement is met consistently in practice and achieves the required welfare, control and integrity outcome.
Action Required
The requirement is not yet demonstrated consistently in practice, or the available evidence is incomplete and requires a proportionate corrective action.
Critical Non-Compliance
Knowingly operating unlawfully where this materially risks dogs, people, wildlife or certification integrity may be Critical Non-Compliance.
Result:☐ Meets Standard ☐ Action Required ☐ Critical Non-Compliance
Notes: ____________________________________________________________
EW1.3: Welfare, control and public safety take priority
Commercial pressure, timetable, pack size, owner request or promised route must not override a dog's welfare, the walker's ability to maintain control or reasonable public safety. The walker must be authorised to shorten, modify, separate, relocate, place on lead, return or stop a service when conditions require it, and to explain material changes to the client.
Assessor checklist
Requirement
Commercial pressure, timetable, pack size, owner request or promised route must not override a dog's welfare, the walker's ability to maintain control or reasonable public safety. The walker must be authorised to shorten, modify, separate, relocate, place on lead, return or stop a service when conditions require it, and to explain material changes to the client.
What the Assessor Checks
Use scenarios involving weather, conflict, illness, poor recall, livestock, crowds and a late-running schedule.
Sample services that were changed or stopped.
Evidence
Terms, staff authority, walk records, client communications, incidents and observation.
Meets Standard
There is reasonable evidence that the requirement is met consistently in practice and achieves the required welfare, control and integrity outcome.
Action Required
The requirement is not yet demonstrated consistently in practice, or the available evidence is incomplete and requires a proportionate corrective action.
Critical Non-Compliance
Continuing a walk despite an obvious serious and unmanageable risk may be Critical Non-Compliance.
Result:☐ Meets Standard ☐ Action Required ☐ Critical Non-Compliance
Notes: ____________________________________________________________
EW1.4: Professional conduct, representation and insurance
The business and its walkers must act honestly, respectfully and within their competence. Advertising, qualifications, staff experience, walk duration, group composition, service model and certification status must be accurate. Insurance reasonably appropriate to the operation must be maintained, including public liability and cover relevant to dogs in care, custody or control, vehicles and any employees or contractors.
Assessor checklist
Requirement
The business and its walkers must act honestly, respectfully and within their competence. Advertising, qualifications, staff experience, walk duration, group composition, service model and certification status must be accurate. Insurance reasonably appropriate to the operation must be maintained, including public liability and cover relevant to dogs in care, custody or control, vehicles and any employees or contractors.
What the Assessor Checks
Compare public claims and client information with actual delivery.
Review current insurance, exclusions and contractor arrangements.
Evidence
Website, social media, terms, qualifications, certificates of currency and complaints.
Meets Standard
There is reasonable evidence that the requirement is met consistently in practice and achieves the required welfare, control and integrity outcome.
Action Required
The requirement is not yet demonstrated consistently in practice, or the available evidence is incomplete and requires a proportionate corrective action.
Critical Non-Compliance
Deliberate deception, serious intimidation or knowingly operating without material insurance may be Critical Non-Compliance.
Result:☐ Meets Standard ☐ Action Required ☐ Critical Non-Compliance
Notes: ____________________________________________________________