How to Find a Dog Walker

Dog walkers can provide an invaluable service for people who are away from home for many hours during the day, those whose work-at-home jobs keep them busy, or anyone experiencing a physical injury, illness, or other situation affecting their ability to fully care for their dog. Dog walkers help not only by ensuring that dogs receive enough potty breaks, but also by offering these pets additional opportunities for socialization, enrichment, and physical activity, all of which are necessary for dogs to thrive. 

Note: Although some dog walkers offer additional services, the purpose and role of a dog walker is different from that of a pet sitter or someone who boards dogs at their home or business overnight. As just suggested, dog walkers can step in when a pet parent is unavailable for short periods of time.  However, for those who will be away from home for longer periods of time or those whose animals require increased supervision during the day, something more than just walks might be needed. For these situations, the MSPCA maintains a webpage to assist in finding a suitable pet daycare or boarding service.

The importance of exercising care when choosing a dog walker. 

The process involved in selecting someone to walk your dog is not unlike that you would use when searching for a new babysitter. The purpose of this webpage is to help you find a dog walker who will be safe, competent, responsible, and trustworthy.

Unfortunately, there is no regulating body governing the growing number of full- and part-time dog walkers, and anyone can advertise themselves as being one. While many walkers provide exceptional service, others might not walk a dog for the agreed-to length of time (or at all) or worse yet, might put a dog in their care at risk of being traumatized, lost, injured, or even killed. Therefore, before hiring a dog walker, a wise pet parent does a little advanced planning and preparation to find a suitable walker to better guarantee that their dog will be in good hands while they are away. 

Steps to finding the right dog walker. 

The following is a suggested process for finding and selecting the right person or business to provide safe, enjoyable walks for your dog.

1. Identify a pool of potential walkers. The search for the perfect dog walker should begin by asking friends, neighbors, and other dog parents for personal recommendations about who they rely on to provide walks to their own pets. Additional potential leads might come from your veterinarian, groomer, trainer, or boarding facility, as well as local pet supply stores, animal rescues/shelters, and other pet professionals. Of course, the Internet will also be a source of possible walkers because some of these pet care providers maintain their own websites and many more offer their services through web-based apps like Rover, Wag!, Care, or similar platforms. 

Caution! Although companies like Rover, Wag!, and Care have grown in popularity and each offers a user-friendly app which makes finding a sitter quick, easy, and convenient, these companies vary with respect to their vetting of caregivers (for example, whether or not they require background checks of new sitters), and many dog walkers found on these online apps are untrained, non-professional, and unlicensed. Furthermore, it is important to know that even if app-based walkers have submitted to an initial background check, the thoroughness of these background checks varies and might not exclude applicants having significant criminal histories. Also note that none of these companies require ongoing background checks after an applicant has been approved. Although disconcerting, the preceding warning does not mean you should never consider walkers affiliated with these app-based dog-walking services; rather, it means that caution must be taken and before hiring anyone, you will need to thoroughly interview them (see below).

2. The interview. After some potential dog walkers have been identified and one or more seem like they might be a good fit, the next step is the interview, which occurs before you agree to employ the services of a walker. Whether these questions are asked in a phone conversation or at an in-person meeting (see below), the interview offers an early opportunity to ensure that you would be comfortable entrusting the care and safety of your dog to this person or business. 

The following is a list of important questions you should consider asking during this interview. While the list of potential questions is long and some (like asking for someone’s criminal history report) may be a bit daunting, remember that you are your dog’s advocate and you can’t ask too many questions when it comes to your dog’s safety.

Questions regarding their experience, knowledge, and skills:

• How much, and what kind of experience do you have with walking dogs?  You should look for someone who has worked with many dogs of all sizes, breeds, temperaments, and behaviors, and who knows how to read and interpret a dog’s behavior and body language. This means they do not just love animals, but rather, they have spent a lot of time working with animals who are not their own, and perhaps have volunteered at an animal shelter or have work experience in a veterinary clinic or someplace similar.
• What kind of experience do you have walking dogs similar to mine (i.e., with respect to your dog’s size, age, temperament, behavior, physical ability, etc.)? This question is especially important if your dog requires special treatment or care because he or she is a young puppy, is of a giant breed, is reactive to other dogs, is on medication, etc.
• How do you respond if a dog you are walking pulls hard on the leash, or barks at or jumps on people?  A person’s responses to questions such as these will provide you with some insight about their training philosophy and how skilled they are about dog behavior. You only want to hire someone who uses only positive reinforcement behavior training methods (e.g., treats and praise), and should avoid anyone using choke, prong, or shock collars.
• How do you prevent fights involving the dog(s) you are walking?
• Has a dog in your care ever been lost or injured?  What happened and what did you do?
• Are you certified in pet CPR and first aid for pets? (And follow-up questions might include: How recent was that training? How often do you take a refresher course? Do you know the signs of overheating and how to respond to heat-related illnesses? Do you know how to recognize when a dog might be going into shock? When would you seek veterinary assistance?)
• Do you have any kind of specialized training or certifications related to animal care or pet sitting? This could include training emphasizing reading and understanding canine body language and pack management.
• If the walker will also be giving medicines to your pet: What experience do you have administering this type of medication?

Questions concerning their walking services:

• Describe a typical walk my pet will experience with you.
• Will you be walking my dog solo or will my dog be in a group with other dogs? And if in a group, how many dogs would you be walking at one time, and how do you choose which dogs walk together (i.e., by age, size, activity level, or something else)? How do you introduce dogs that will be walking together in a group? What kind of training do you have to walk multiple dogs at a time, and what kind of tools and management methods do you use to keep groups of dogs under control and safe? Each dog added to a walking group increases the potential for problems including fighting, injury, or escape. For this reason, some trainers recommend that no more than 3 or 4 dogs are walked in a pack at a time. And to prevent injury in the event of a fight, dogs should only be walked with other dogs the same size. Prongs or choke collars should not be used. (Note: If you are not comfortable with, or your dog is not a good candidate for a group walk, you may wish to request private or semi-private walks (i.e., with just your dog and one other compatible dog).) 
• Where would you be walking my dog (e.g., in my neighborhood, in a dog park, or elsewhere)? While young, active, and social dogs may enjoy and benefit from visits to dog parks, such locations may be stressful for dogs who are older, less active, or less interested in socializing.
• Will you be walking my dog on-leash or off-leash? For both safety and legal reasons (e.g., mandatory leash laws), off-leash walks are discouraged unless they take place in an enclosed location such as a dog park. Your dog should not be allowed off leash if your dog does not have consistent recall and, even then, a new walker should have at least a few on-leash walks before allowing your dog off-leash.
• Will you be transporting my dog in an automobile, and if so, how will you ensure my dog’s safety while in the vehicle? Dogs must be safely restrained with crates or body harnesses and seat belts or tie-downs. The vehicle must also be adequately ventilated, dogs must not be left alone in the vehicle for more than the amount of time it takes a walker to pick up or drop off another client, and vehicles should always be securely locked to prevent theft or release of any dogs inside. Although all this might seem like common sense to a responsible dog parent, in Canada in 2014, six dogs died after a dog walker left them in a hot car, and you will want to confirm that your potential walker is more responsible.
• If walking in groups on foot, what do you do when picking up or dropping off other clients?  Tying up dogs and leaving them unsupervised outside during the pick-up/drop-off process is not an acceptable practice.
• How long does each walk last? Confirm that this reflects that amount of time your dog will get for actual exercise and that it does not include any transportation time.
• How often and in what ways will you communicate with me after each walk—through notes left in my home, text messages/photos, or some other way?
• Are you willing to have the walks tracked? Many dog-walking platforms provide this service, but there are also GPS tags and collars that you can use to monitor your dog’s location.

General questions:

• Can you provide a list of client references? Be sure to check those references! And although you should not merely rely on a sitter’s online reviews, you should choose a walker who has a history of multiple (the more, the better) positive reviews from verifiable past clients.
• Can you provide a recent criminal history background check?  As discussed above, some companies’ background checks may not be as thorough, recent, or accurate as one might hope or assume. Do not rely on these web-based apps to do this screening! 
• If the walker is using the word “professional” in their messaging: Do you have a business license?
• Do you have bonding and liability insurance, and does it include care, custody, or control coverage? May I see a copy of your insurance policy?  Regardless of whether they work for a larger company or are self-employed, all professional dog walkers (i.e., those for whom dog care is a business and not just a side-gig) should have liability insurance, and bonding provides additional protection for you and your home.
• Do you have a written service contract explaining your services, the respective responsibilities of both the walker and dog parent, and payment policies? Ideally, whether a solo individual or larger company, the walker will have a contract for you to sign.
• What are your safety protocols? Ensure the walker uses only secure collars/harnesses/leashes and avoids busy roads and other hazardous areas.
• What is your philosophy regarding disciplining dogs in your care?
• How is bad or hot weather handled?
• What is your cancellation policy?
• What would happen if you were to be sick or otherwise unable to complete a scheduled walk? Will you send someone in your place, and if so, who (and may I meet this person in advance)?
• In what time window will you be coming each day?
• What are your emergency protocols (i.e., in the event of fights, lost dogs, vehicle problems, natural disasters, etc.)?
• Do you carry a canine first aid kit with you on walks?
• Do you carry anything to help manage any dog fights?
• Who will be responsible for paying the costs of veterinary care if my dog gets injured while in your care?
• What will you do if my dog is sick or injured? The walker should know the location of the emergency clinics in your area as well as your dog’s vet. They should also have a signed veterinary release form in case your dog needs medical attention and you are not available.
• What are your rates and what forms of payment will you accept?

Specific questions for businesses with multiple employees and/or walkers employed by them. These are questions that (in addition to the ones above) you’ll want to ask if you are considering using the service of a business having multiple walkers on staff:

• Will my dog be walked by the same person(s) every time?
• Who will actually be the person(s) walking my dog, and will I get to meet them before they walk my dog for the first time?
• How are new employees screened?
• What training do they receive, and are all walkers trained to use similar methods and techniques on walks?
• If interviewing a walker employed with a dog-walking business: How long have you been working with this service?

3. The “meet and greet.” Before agreeing to hire a person or business to care for your dog, it is imperative that you and your dog meet the potential walker in person. The “meet and greet” is a free consultation at your home that results in no obligation for you to ultimately hire the person. (However, if your dog is shy or has other personality/behavioral quirks, you may need to ask for a second meeting—which you will likely have to pay for—to ensure a good fit between the walker and your dog.) This meeting is critical as it allows you to see how the walker interacts with dogs and how your dog responds to that person, before you have entrusted the care and safety of your furry family member with that person. It also is your final opportunity to ensure that you are comfortable with this person being in your home unsupervised. 

• Note! If you are hiring a larger company, it is possible that—unless you request otherwise—only an owner or supervisor will come to meet you and your dog. You should ask that whomever will actually be walking your dog also come with them. 

During the meet and greet, you, your dog, and the prospective walkers will want to go for a short walk together so you can see the walker in action. You will explain your dog’s walk routine and show the walker where in your home you keep necessities such as harnesses, leashes, coats, food, medications, treats, paper towels, and cleaning supplies. Have the walker put on your dog’s collar/harness/leash and handle the dog during the walk, so you can see for yourself how they will do these things. This trial walk also provides an opportunity for you to inform the walker where in your neighborhood it is safe for your dog to stop at (and which properties should be avoided), and where to dispose of poop bags. Although the walk is not meant to be a training session, you will want to teach the walker any cues (e.g., “leave it”) you and your dog use, as well as any behaviors you’re working on so your dog’s walks will remain consistent. If the walker offers any corrections to your dog during the trial walk, you’ll want to ensure that they are only using positive reinforcement (e.g., treats and praise). 

The meet and greet is also an opportunity for you to share important things about your dog. You’ll want to inform the walker not only about your dog’s minor quirks, but even more importantly, their potentially dangerous behaviors. For example, you should definitely tell them if your dog is reactive to other dogs, tends to find and try to eat inedible things on walks, likes to dart after squirrels, is afraid of motorcycles, chases after passing bikes, etc. You will also want to share your dog’s medical history, including any allergies. If the walker will be administering medications to your dog, ensure they understand when and how to give them. If warranted, the two of you might also discuss a plan to make the next visit a success—for instance, if your dog is fearful, you might plan to leave his or her harness on before you leave for the day, so the walker doesn’t have to touch your dog too much on the first visit.  Finally, you will want to ensure the walker knows how to safely secure your home when finishing a walk.

Once you have met the walker and asked your important questions, you will now be in a much better position to decide whether to hire this person to care for your dog. If there is something about the walker that causes you to question their ability to provide a safe, positive, enjoyable experience for your dog, or if there is something else that makes you feel uncomfortable about this person, keep searching for a more suitable match. Some general questions to help you assess this could include the following:

• Did your dog like and seem comfortable with the walker (and vice-versa)?
• Did the walker seem like they could physically handle your dog?
• Is the walker responsible?—Did they promptly respond to your inquiries and arrive on time for the meet and greet appointment?
• Did the walker ask important probing or follow-up questions? (For example, did they ask if your dog is reactive toward other dogs;  or if you brought up that your dog is allergic to bee stings, did they ask what they should do should your dog get stung or have an allergic reaction during a walk?) And, when appropriate, did they take notes?
• Was there anything that the walker did or said that made you feel uncomfortable?

Once you’ve selected a dog walker, you should include in a written agreement or contract all the important things that you’ve agreed to, especially with respect to any of the following:

• Approved dog walkers (i.e., for when you are hiring a company; the company should not replace your approved walkers with one lacking the qualifications you sought out).
• What to do in case of an emergency.
• What level of decision-making the person will have if your dog becomes sick or injured (e.g., with respect to veterinary care).
• What types of equipment (e.g., specific harnesses, leashes, muzzles) are to be used on walks. 
• What types of treats your dog can be given and how much/how often.
• Not conducting any behavior modification (unless the walker has suitable training and your permission).
• Whether your dog is allowed off leash while on walks.
• Whether your dog may be walked with other dogs, and if so, what kinds of dogs.
•  Whether your dog should be allowed contact with other dogs while on walks.
• The cancellation policy.
• Anything else that is of great importance to you.

Finally, if you decide to utilize an app-based walking service like Rover, Wag!, or Care, be sure to carefully read that company’s terms of service.

Preparing for the first walk.

You will need to provide your walker with all the information they will need not only for them to reference during the walk appointments, but also in case an emergency arises. The following information should be provided in hard copy but could also be sent electronically so the walker also has access to it on their phone:

•       Your contact information (i.e., phone numbers, email addresses).
•       Contact information for a friend or family member in the event of an emergency if you cannot be reached.
•       Your dog’s veterinary information (i.e., name of veterinarian, and also the name, phone number, and address of the clinic).
•       Feeding and medication instructions, if the walker will be providing your dog with a meal or medications during your absence.

Additionally, you will want to ensure that the walker has your alarm code or key, that your dog’s collar/harness/leash are all in good condition, and that both your dog’s microchip and collar ID have up-to-date information.

Conclusion

With advanced preparation and planning, the concerned dog parent should be able to find a competent, caring, and trustworthy dog walker who they feel comfortable letting care for their dog. Following the suggested steps described above should help you find the special person who you will be able to rely on to help keep your dog comfortable, happy, and healthy on those days when you are unable to personally give your dog the time and attention you would like.