How to Find the Right Dog Walker

There are a lot of great reasons to hire a dog walker. Maybe you recently adopted a new puppy or an older dog, and you want to make sure they get the potty breaks they need.

Maybe your schedule has changed, perhaps you just had a baby or it’s a busy season at work, and you can’t take your dog out as often as you used to. Or maybe you’ve noticed some behavioral issues, and believe your dog will benefit from some extra exercise and stimulation.

Whatever your reason, finding the right dog walker can make a wonderful difference in your dog’s life, and in yours. So here are some tips on finding dog walkers, and the questions you should ask to ensure that you’re choosing the best dog walker for your pup and your situation.

Where to Find a Dog Walker Near You

There are as many dog walkers out there as there are reasons for needing one. Here are some ideas on the best places to begin your search.

• Ask your dog-owning family members, friends, co-workers, and neighbors if they use a dog walker they can recommend. Maybe they can even help you out? Maybe one of your neighbors has a responsible older child at home who loves to exercise and is looking to make some extra money? Your “network” can be a great place to start, depending on what your dog walking needs are.
  
  
• Check with local shelters and at your vet’s office or groomer’s for a referral. Many veterinary technicians (vet nurses) do dog walking and/or pet sitting on the side, and this can be extremely useful if your dog also requires medications or other treatments in addition to their walks.
  
  
• Ask your dog trainer. Not only might they have a dog walker or two to recommend, but many trainers offer “training walks” as a service themselves. This can be great if it’s not just physical exercise your pup needs, but also some mental exercise and refreshers on their behavioral skills. If your dog is having issues with loose leash walking, some "training walks" can help make all of your walks with your pup more enjoyable, too.
  
  
• Of course, the Internet is a great resource, so another option is to go through an online pet service, like Rover, Wag!, or DogVacay. And there are also online neighborhood message boards, like Nextdoor, where you can post your dog walking needs specifically to those living in your neighborhood.
  
  

Questions to Ask a Dog Walker

Once you’ve found a couple of potential candidates, there are some important questions you should ask. After all, you need to trust your dog walker not just with your dog’s health and activity, but also with their safety. And, in many cases, your dog walker will also be given access to your home. So these interviews aren’t something that you want to overlook.

BUSINESS BASICS

1. How long have you been in business? What’s your experience with dogs? (You want a dog walker who doesn’t just love dogs, but knows and gets dogs too.)
   
   
2. Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
   
   
3. Can you give me several references?
   
   
4. What are your rates and payment schedule?
   
   
5. What’s your cancellation policy?
   
   
6. If you’re out sick or on vacation, is there another dog walker who can cover for you?
   
   

THE WALKS

1. Do you walk more than one dog at a time? And if so, how many dogs do you walk at once? (Group on-leash walks with more than three dogs can be stressful for some dogs and challenging for novice dog walkers.)
   
   
2. If you do walk dogs in groups, what’s your policy on walking dogs together that haven’t been spayed or neutered? (This likely wouldn't be a problem for young "intact" dogs. But when a sexually-mature intact dog is in a group it can lead to fights, unintended matings, and other problems.)
   
   
3. Are you able to come at the time my dog needs? Where will you go and what will you do during the walks?
   
   
4. Do you do any training work and reinforcement while on walks?
   
   
5. Do you ever go to the dog park or other off-leash areas? (If your dog is under 17 weeks of age and hasn’t had all their “puppy shots” yet, they should stay out of the dog park and other "high-density" or popular dog areas.)
   
   
6. If the walks won’t happen near my home, how will you transport my dog? (If they will be riding in a car, they should be properly restrained, either in a crate, behind a barrier, or through the use of a car harness.)
   
   
7. Will you send pictures and updates from the walk? Will you provide a “report card” that notes my dog’s energy level, mood, and eliminations at the end of each walk?
   
   

HEALTH & SAFETY

1. What is your approach to training and correction? (It’s important that you and your dog walker are on the same page, and ideally that your dog walker uses only positive, rewards-based methods of training.)
   
   
2. Do you know dog first aid, including CPR? Are you familiar with the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke? Do you know how to break up a dogfight, should there be a problem?
   
   
3. Do you know where my veterinarian’s office is? What about the local Animal ER? (If your dog walker will be walking your dog regularly, or if there are likely to be times that your dog is in their care and you won't be easily reachable by phone or email, it's a good idea to leave your dog walker with a medical treatment authorization form... just in case.)
   
   
4. Can you accommodate all of my dog’s needs? (This can mean anything from accommodating the special challenges of a specific breed, a medical condition, behavioral issues, or simply being able to adapt to your dog’s changing moods.)
   
   

Choosing a Dog Walker

Ask for a Trial Walk

Now that all the questions have been asked and your list whittled down, it’s time for the “dog walker test drive.” As they say… actions speak louder than words. So you should see all of your candidate dog walkers in action by going for a trial walk. While you may have to pay for these trial walks, they can be well worth it! Trial walks are often necessary to really know that you’ve found the right dog walker for you and your pup. They’re often the only way to know that your dog — and you — are truly comfortable with your choice.

While on a trial walk, pay close attention to how the dog walker and your dog interact. Does the dog walker have a “natural way” with your dog? Do they “read” them well, and does your dog respond well to their cues and direction? Does your dog seem comfortable with them, and vice versa? Your dog’s body language—and your intuition—will help you make the right decision!

Making sure you're getting what you're paying for

Just like any relationship, things may not be what they seem and things can change. Choosing a dog walker isn’t always a “set it and forget it” scenario. It’s a good idea to continue to keep a watchful eye and check on your dog walker every now and again.

While the vast majority of dog walkers are kind and trustworthy, there are unfortunately some who aren’t. Like this dog walker in Florida who didn’t do the walks they were paid to do, this one in California that was caught throwing a small dog to the ground, and this one in Chicago that was busted kicking a dog in an elevator.

So to make sure that your pets are in good hands and that you’re getting what you’re paying for, consider these precautions and checks:

• Watch for the development of concerning behavioral or physical changes in your dog, and continue to keep an eye on the interactions and “comfort level” of your dog around your dog walker.
  
  
• Ask your neighbors to keep an eye out and not hesitate to let you know if they see anything suspicious.
  
  
• Put an activity and GPS monitor (like FitBark or Whistle) on your dog. Not only can this be a great way to track all the new exercise your pup is getting, but it’s also an easy way to ensure that your dog is actually being taken for all the walks and distances you’re paying for.
  
  
• Set up web-connected “nanny cams” by your front door or throughout your home. These are easy to set up and there are lots of options out there, like the Nest Cam. Make sure that you inform your dog walker that you have active security cameras.
  

Take Care of Your Dog Walker

Once you’ve found a good dog walker hold onto them like they’re gold… because they can be! It’s not just about treating them kindly and paying them what they’re worth, it goes beyond that. Here are some things you can do to help your dog walker feel appreciated:

• Respect their schedule. Make every effort to avoid last-minute cancellations and try to book as far in advance as possible.
  
  
• Know when their birthday is and give them a card and token of gratitude for the ease and peace of mind they bring to your life. And for an extra nice touch, give them a card and a “thank you” from your dog, too. (Who doesn’t love a gift certificate for a massage or other spa service!)
  
  
• When the holidays come around, don’t forget them on your holiday card (and perhaps gift?) list. Consider a nice monetary tip and thank you at the holidays, too.
  
  
• If they have a website, Facebook, or other promotional pages, give them a great review. Just like when you were searching for a dog walker—it helped to hear others' experiences and recommendations. Point out what makes them unique and/or what you love most about their service.
  
  
• And, of course, a simple “thank you” goes a long way as well.

Do you use a dog walker? How did you find them? What have your experiences been? Feel free to share your tips and stories in the comments section below.