How to Find a Dog Walker

Let’s start with the obvious: dogs love walks. And why wouldn’t they? Walks give them the chance to do a lot of their favourite things: explore, sniff, and wee on things that aren’t theirs. Dog-less friends are always lamenting their lack of motivation to “get outside more” while – lucky you! – you can escape the afternoon slump with a nice dog walk around the block. Until you can’t. Sadly, even the most flexible of schedules can’t always accommodate the outing your pup deserves. That’s where dog walkers come in. But not all dog walkers are professionals: for some, it’s a side hustle until they ink a book deal. So how do you pick someone you can trust? Keep reading because we’ve got you.

Consider your dog’s personality

You want to find a walker who’s not only good with dogs but good with your dog. To zero in on a good match, think about your dog’s personality and look for someone who has experience with similar dogs. “Let’s say your dog is lead-reactive. Ideally, you want to find someone who has experience walking dogs that get a little chaotic on the lead, so you have confidence in their ability to manage the situation successfully,” vet Dr Elizabeth Shines says. ”It will also help ensure that the dog walker can continue with any training you already do with your dog to work through reactivity issues. Dogs need consistency. Without it, they get confused and their behaviour can regress.”

Navigating life with a new pet? Head to littleKin!

littleKin™ is Kinship’s home just for puppy and kitten parents. Bop over to check out expert advice, new pet tools, and special deals—all curated for your newest family member.

Get Free Advice

Kate Jaffe, Rover’s Trends Expert, also suggests looking for someone who will tailor the walk to your dog’s needs. “If your dog is athletic, see if you can find someone who can take your dog for a run or a long walk. Or, if your dog is uncomfortable around other dogs, look for someone who can walk them one-on-one instead of in a group.”

Related article

Understanding Reactivity and Aggression in Dogs: Two Very Different Things

Apparently even experts have a hard time defining these terms

Do your research

It’s important to make sure whoever you work with is the real deal. As a starting point, make sure anyone you’re considering is backed by insurance – either an individual policy or coverage through a dog walking service. If you’re going through a service, find out how they screen their walkers and if they do background checks. If you’re talking to an individual, ask them to provide references

Once you’ve found a few options you feel good about, read their reviews. “You know your dog better than anyone,” Jaffe says. “Think about the qualities you know will be a good match for your dog and look for positive reviews that validate those qualities. When you find someone who sounds promising, schedule an in-person meet-and-greet. That goes a long way toward making sure you’ve made a great choice for you and your dog.”

Ask the right questions

When doing a face-to-face interview, remember that you’re looking for someone you can rely on and who will give your dog the same experience that you would. Kaitie Edel, a Communications Manager for Wag!, recommends starting with a high-level question. “Ask them what their philosophy is on the dog-human relationship. Make sure this person will work with your dog using positive reinforcement rather than punishing your dog for unwanted behaviour,” she says. Chances are, you won’t be around when the dog walker comes to take your dog. Don’t be afraid to ask for things that will let you know your pup is getting the care they deserve (and that you paid for). 

“Ask if the dog walker can send you updates or photos,” Jaffe adds. “That will accomplish two things: you’ll know the walk that you booked happened as planned, and you’ll be able to see for yourself that your dog is having a good time. Updates like that are a great way to make you feel more comfortable and keep you connected to your dog while you’re away.” While getting your questions answered is important, you shouldn’t be the one driving the whole conversation. “The dog walker should be proactively asking questions about your dog – about their routine, their triggers and their favourite things,” Edel says. “They should be engaged and interested in learning everything there is to know about your pup.”

Related article

Why Does My Dog Turn Into a Statue on Walks?

Suddenly, the pavement has some new installation art: your frozen dog

Keep an eye on your pup’s behaviour 

Once you’ve found a dog walker you and your dog love, the hard part is over. Still, you’ll want to keep an eye out for red flags. Look for any differences in your dog’s behaviour over time,” Dr Shines says. “If you notice that their behaviour has changed or their training seems to have regressed, talk to the dog walker. It doesn’t necessarily mean they’re to blame, but it may mean you need to recalibrate to make sure everyone is on the same page with the care of your dog.” Another pro-tip: fit your dog with a Whistle GPS tracker so you can keep tabs on when and where your dog goes on their walks without you.

There’s no one like you – to your dog – so you owe it to them to find the next best person so they’re in good hands.