A solution to helping your dog get the attention they need is to hire a dog walker, but it’s not as easy of a task as some people make it out to be. Dog walkers are essentially trustworthy strangers, and you’re handing over care of one of your family members to them. It’s important to know what to look for in dog walkers, including red flags. This guide covers everything you need to know about how to find a good dog walker, from researching and vetting them, to the meet and greet, to the cost of a dog walker, and how to know your dog is happy with them.
Should I Hire a Dog Walker?
Based on your dog’s age, health, breed, and personality, most dogs need somewhere between 30 minutes and 2 hours of physical activity per day from walks, running, agility, or other activity. Sometimes, life gets in the way of offering your dog that much exercise, even when you have the best of intentions. Dogs who do not get enough stimulation can end up with behavioral issues. To nip that in the bud, here’s a list of situations where you should consider a dog walker:
- Too much time alone. Even if your dog is comfortable being alone for long stretches, they do need to go to the bathroom every 4 to 6 hours. Puppies need a break every 1 to 2 hours. No dog should be left alone for long periods of time.
- Behavioral issues. If a dog doesn’t get enough exercise, they can exhibit unwanted behaviors like chewing, excessive barking, hyperactivity, digging, and more.
- Life circumstances. If you suddenly have a lifestyle change, such as a new job with a longer commute, have a new baby, are caring for a family member, or are having a heavy day of being away from home, you might want to consider getting help.
If you’re not sure if your dog needs more exercise, the Petivity Smart GPS + Activity Tracker can help you assess whether or not you want to invest in a trusted dog walker. It gives data about your dog’s daily movement and rest patterns that you can use to make a decision—and one that alleviates you from any guilt.
The Best Way to Find a Dog Walker: Trusted Referrals, Apps, and Sites
There are many ways to find a dog walker, but the best place to start is usually with people who know dogs best. Your best leads (pun intended!) can come from your vet, dog trainer, groomer, or neighbors with dogs. They can reliably and neutrally explain who they recommend and why without it feeling like a sales pitch.
If you don’t have a good referral, there are lots of dog walking sites to look at, such as:
- Online dog walking platforms: There are some online platforms and apps that allow pet owners to browse and hire a professional dog walker. These pet care services might offer photos, reviews, background checks, GPS walk tracking, photo updates on your pet(s), rates, and more. This can be a convenient way to hire someone with a great track record, while simultaneously keeping an eye on your dog during their walks. Pet parents should always do their due diligence to vet potential walkers independently of any platforms.
- Local dog walking companies: Many cities have locally-owned dog walking businesses that train their own staff, carry business liability insurance, and have backup systems when a walker is sick. They tend to cost more than app-based walkers, but they can be more accountable and reliable.
- Independent walkers: Sometimes the best walkers aren’t on any platform. They work by referral only and may have years of experience. If a trusted person in your network recommends someone like this, it’s worth pursuing even without a polished online presence.
What to look for in an online dog walker profile
When evaluating a listing or profile online, there are a few things to look out for. Pay attention to details the walker provides, such as how long they’ve been walking dogs professionally (not just “loving dogs”), how they describe their approach to leash handling and behavior, how they communicate, and more. Look for reviews of dogs that sound similar in needs and temperament to your dog.
How to Choose a Dog Walker: Credentials, Questions, and What to Compare
Once you’ve decided on a dog walker that looks like they could be a fit, the next step is to dig deeper to find out more about them. There are a few things you need to consider that might not be immediately obvious such as:
How the company is structured
Solo dog walkers and dog walking companies offer different benefits. It might be easier for you to create a rapport with a solo dog walker, but they might not have a good enough back up system in place if they are sick. Conversely, a dog walking company might not be as flexible with timing as a solo dog walker. These are decisions only you can make for you and your family.
Credentials
Dog walking is a crucial part of some people’s day-to-day lives, but it’s an unregulated industry. That means that not everyone is held to the same standards, and anyone can declare themselves as a professional. A few credentials that show you that a dog walker is a pro include:
- Pet First Aid and CPR certification: This is the baseline, because accidents happen on walks. A walker who is trained to handle a choking dog, a heat emergency, or a bite injury is meaningfully safer than one who isn’t. The American Red Cross offers a recognized certification.
- Certified Professional Dog Trainer: Also shown as CPDT-KA, this shows a higher bar indicating formal knowledge of dog behavior and training. It’s not required for a dog walker but could provide some peace of mind.
- Pet Sitters International membership: A PSI membership shows a commitment to professional standards and ongoing education in the pet care field, and that they take their job seriously.
Insurance and bonding
You’ll want proof your dog walker is insured and bonded. It might be referred to as general liability insurance, which covers property damage and injuries that might happen on a walk, such as if a walker falls and breaks a bone or your dog bites someone. Insurance will determine who pays. Bonding protects you if a walker steals something from your home. Ask to see their certificate of insurance.
Interview questions
It might seem silly to ask some of these questions to another grown adult, but they are in charge of a family member of yours. Their answers to questions like the below list can help you assess their preparedness and personality:
- What do you do if my dog refuses to walk or gets into something dangerous?
- How do you handle a dog that pulls or reacts to other dogs on leash?
- What’s your backup plan if you’re sick or have an emergency?
- How many dogs do you walk at one time?
- Where do you walk the dogs?
- How long are the walks?
- What do you do if it’s raining?
- What’s your cancellation policy?
Qualified professionals will have highly specific, direct answers. Anyone who is vague or general might not be the most equipped person.
Red Flags to Watch for When You Hire a Dog Walker
As mentioned, the dog walking industry has little oversight and anyone can call themselves a professional. There is no licensing process or inspections, and unfortunately the client, your dog, can’t report back any bad feedback. There are red flags to look for at each stage of the process of hiring a trusted dog walker.
Initial Communication Dog Walker Red Flags
- Slow or inconsistent responses. If it takes days to get a reply to your initial message, that pattern usually continues after you hire them.
- No written contract, rates, or policies. A professional has these ready.
- Reluctance to provide references. Anyone with experience has past clients they can put you in touch with. New walkers should have everything else in tip-top shape, and should be able to provide personal references that speak to their trustworthiness.
- Requests for cash only. If there is a discrepancy, you won’t be able to dispute it. This might not apply if you are hiring a solo dog walker, but it’s still a good idea to have a paper trail.
- No understanding of basic dog behavior. You don’t need them to be a certified trainer, but they should know basic body language signals like fear and aggression.
Meet and Greet Dog Walker Red Flags
- They don’t ask questions about your dog’s specific needs. If they’re not curious, they’re not paying attention.
- Your dog is uncomfortable and the walker doesn’t acknowledge it. Forcing interaction with a nervous dog, or ignoring signs of stress, is a big red flag.
- They’re dismissive of your dog’s behavioral quirks. “Oh, that won’t be a problem” before they’ve even seen the behavior is not a way to reassure a client.
- They show up unprepared. Good dog walkers will come ready to take your dog on a trial walk. That means treats, poop bags, and proper clothing and footwear.
Professional Dog Walker Behavior Red Flags
- They walk too many dogs at once. Some dogs do better in packs, but some do not. Ask how many dogs they walk at once, and if possible, see them in action so you can see the control they have over them. There is such a thing as too many dogs at once.
- They take dogs to off-leash dog parks without discussing it with you first. This is a significant safety decision that should be your call, not theirs.
- They offer no GPS tracking or walk reporting. You shouldn’t have to wonder if the walk happened or how long it was.
- They have no clear emergency protocol. Ask specifically what they do if your dog gets injured during a walk.
Engaged Dog Walker Red Flags
- They are consistently late or take your dog on short walks. If you have GPS data that doesn’t match up with what’s reported, that’s a red flag.
- Their communication drops off after the first few weeks. Good walkers maintain a communication routine.
- Something doesn’t add up. Walk reports that seem inconsistent with your dog’s energy level or behavior when you get home are worth questioning.
- They resist introducing a new communication tool or sharing GPS data. Transparency is standard for professionals who have nothing to hide.
Finding a Good Dog Walker Starts at the Meet and Greet
While you can get a lot of information from an online profile or initial phone consultation, the place to really see a dog walker in action is a meet and greet. It’s a way to evaluate the dog walker and how they interact with your dog, as well as to see if they treat it as a job interview and not a social call. Here’s how to make the most of a meet and greet:
- Set it up for success. Find a time when your dog is calm, and have the basics like their leash and treats ready. Don’t rush it or bookend it with other meetings.
- Share your dog’s patterns. One of the most helpful things you can bring to a meet and greet is your dog’s patterns and typical activity throughout the day. That’s everything from leash behavior to triggers. Activity data from Petivity’s Smart GPS + Activity Tracker can help with establishing their baseline, allowing you to get as detailed as sharing that your dog gets restless at a certain hour. That specificity can help your dog walker benchmark their activity levels.
- Ask for a trial walk. A seasoned dog walker will be open to a paid trial walk. It’s an opportunity to observe them in real time, or use a GPS tracker.
Dog Walker Green Flags
If you’re nervous about hiring a dog walker and want something to benchmark against, here are some dog walker green flags to look for:
- Lets your dog approach them, not the other way around
- Gets on the dog’s level
- Reads your dog’s body language
- Asks questions about behavior, triggers, routes, quirks, preferences
- Checks the fit of the harness or collar
- Comes prepared with treats, poop bags, and appropriate clothing/footwear
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Dog Walker (And Should You Tip)?
One of the most important questions to ask a dog walker is their pricing. Pricing can vary by walk type, length, number of dogs on a single walk, and where you live in the country. For example, cities are often more expensive per walk than suburban or rural areas, sometimes up to 50% more. According to Thumbtack, the national average is $10 to $20 per walk, but that can vary depending on the factors listed above. You can also consider group rates, or find a walker who walks multiple dogs at once to potentially lower the cost.
Here’s a list of other fees to ask about when considering dog walking companies:
- Holiday charges: Some walkers will charge more on holidays.
- Extra dogs: Some walkers charge an additional $5 to $10 for each additional dog.
- Weekend or early morning rates: Some walkers might increase prices for inconvenient times.
- Cancellation fees: You need to know the cancellation policy and have it in writing. There should be a cancellation window where they charge a partial or full fee, usually within 24 hours of the walk.
- Meet and greet fees and trial walk fees: Most meet and greets are free, but trial walks might not be.
How Much to Tip a Dog Walker
You should tip your dog walker for good service. Dog walking is a service job with variable pay, weather exposure, and irregular schedules. Tipping is not required, but it’s genuinely appreciated and, for long-term walkers, it’s a meaningful way to retain them. Consider tipping $5 to $10 per walk, or 10-15% of the walk fee. Many owners don’t tip every walk, but do periodically, such as once a month. Holiday tipping is also common. Holiday tips are often calculated by the equivalent of one week of pay at the end of the year. So if your walker is $150 a week, consider tipping an extra $150 on top of that at the end of the year.
Tipping is extra appreciated when there is extreme weather, you get on their schedule last minute, they are extra flexible for you, they go above and beyond in caring for your dog (e.g., they stepped in mud and the dog walker washed their paws), or any other reason you deem fit as a pet parent.
After You Hire a Dog Walker: How to Know the Walks Are Working
After your dog walker has been chosen, it’s time to get organized. Make sure they have your contact info, a backup contact person, your vet’s info, your dog’s medication, feeding instructions, and any other instructions they might need while in your home, such as alarm codes, door codes, and more. Let them know where you put the leash, treats, poop bags, and towels if needed for rain or snow. Put it in writing and verbally relay the information to them, and establish a communication method that works best for both of you.
Once your dog and walker has gotten into a routine, it’s time to figure out if the walks are making a difference. Instead of having to guess, since the four-legged client can’t share, you can rely on activity monitoring. Petivity’s Smart GPS + Activity Tracker can give you daily movement data to help figure out your dog’s baseline and how it’s improved with a walker.
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Things to look for:
- Are the walks showing up in your dog’s data? Real-time GPS location tracking allows you to see exactly where your dog is walking and for how long.
- Is daily movement increasing? Over the first few weeks, a dog getting regular walks should show an overall increase in daily activity. Energy that was previously bottled up should be up.
- Is rest quality improving? Dogs that are properly exercised settle more easily. If your dog’s rest patterns are getting more consistent, that’s a sign the walks are doing their job.
- Is behavior at home changing? Look at activity data and pair it with your own observations. A dog that’s calmer in the evenings, sleeping through the night more easily, or showing less destructive behavior is a dog whose exercise needs are being met.
If after 3–4 weeks the GPS tracker data isn’t moving in the right direction, or if walk reports are inconsistent with what you’re seeing at home and your gut is telling you something is off, it might be time to have a conversation with your dog walker. It’s okay to part ways with a walker who isn’t the right fit. Give them a clear, honest explanation and allow for whatever notice your contract specifies.
Finding a dog walker that provides everything your dog needs and gives you peace of mind can feel like winning the lottery.
Want to be more proactive about your dog’s health and well-being? Explore our blog for expert advice and insights that can help you stay one step ahead of potential health concerns.