Jim Hood

So you’re on the hunt for a dog walker. Yay! The most important thing is to find someone with good communication. You want someone who is able to be by their phone at almost all times in case you need a last-minute walk, schedule change, emergency, etc. Many dog parents also like to get a text and/or picture after the walk letting them know how it went. If someone isn’t on top of communications, it can be very unsettling not knowing what is going on with your pet.

Also look for:

Someone you would find at least decent. Your dog walker doesn’t have to be your best friend (bonus if they end up being!), but think about it — this is someone that is going to have a key to your home and access to a member of your family. Make sure you get along with them and get a good sense that they are a decent person that will take the job seriously.

Someone with a flexible schedule and reliable vehicle. Maybe you need someone to come walk your dog on a fixed schedule, maybe only once in awhile to have “on call.” But either way, it’s very helpful to find someone who has flexibility in their schedule to fit you in when you need them. You never know when you’re going to get stuck at work, in traffic, or have to go out of town unexpectedly. Also, depending on where you live, public transportation can be very unpredictable. Make sure your dog walker has a reliable way to get to you so they don’t find themselves unable to come.

Someone who is physically able to handle your dog. If your dog is big, it might end up walking your dog walker instead of the other way around! Even if your dog is a “gentle giant,” it’s better to err on the side of caution (a squirrel can trigger anyone) and have someone that can physically restrain your dog if things end up getting out of hand. It’s also important to go over the time and pace you want your dog walked. Many standard dog walks are 20-30 minutes, but some dogs need more exercise. If you need to your dog to jog or hike, make sure your dog walker is able to do this.

Lastly, and this goes without saying, someone your dog loves and who loves your dog! To get things started on the right foot (or paw), it’s a very good idea to set up a “meet and greet” with you, your dog, and your potential dog walker when you are getting started.It’s a good time for you to get a read on the walker in person, as well as for your pet to meet them and know they are a safe person. Happy hunting!

So you found someone you like to walk your furry friend.  Yay! A good relationship with your dog walker will make everyone’s day go smoother.  Here are a few tips on how to be the best dog walking client.

Off the bat, establish what exactly you’re looking for with your dog walker so there is little room for gray areas.  Go over everything with them. For example, many people like to receive a text message and/or picture after the walk to let them know everything went okay.  If you have a specific route that you want your dog to walk, make sure to tell them about that. Is it okay for your dog to say hello to other dogs, or do you prefer your walker cross the street to avoid any conflict?  

How long do you want your dog walked – is it a strict 30 minutes, or should they follow your dog’s lead for when he gets tired? Can they come during a two- or three-hour window, or do you need someone to come at the same time every day?  Be sure to let them know where the poop bags are (and keep them stocked!) and where they should dispose of them. If you want them to feed your dog or give them a treat afterwards, be clear about that as well. Specificity.

Alert them to privacy issues.  Many people now have cameras and other sources of security in their house.  If you have cameras in your house, or an alarm system that tells you when the walker gets there and leaves, let them know.  Most people are trustworthy and won’t do anything sketchy, but nobody likes to be caught off guard and find out they’re being watched when they didn’t know.  Plus, if you alert them right off the bat, they’re more likely to not do anything wrong, right?

Let your dog walker know when someone is going to be in the house (and let the person in the house know the dog walker is coming!!)  Some people work from home and are home when their dog walker comes. Or, maybe your kids are home from school, you have friends in from out of town, the cleaning lady/gardener is there that day, etc.  Unless this is a regular occurrence that you’ve already established, it’s just nice for your walker to know exactly what they’re walking into (no pun intended).

Lastly, do your best to be on time with your payment.  When you first start working with your dog walker, make sure you’re on the same page on payment times (weekly, bi-weekly etc.) and try your best to be consistent with it.  This all guarantees a smooth and easy relationship between dog walker and client!

So you’re thinking about possibly getting a dog walker but aren’t sure if your dog is ready or needs one.  This can be a hard question. One thing we probably love but find challenging about our fur children is that they cannot talk.   The problem with that is they cannot tell us what they need. This makes it hard to know if they’re lonely or uncomfortable while we are away.

Every animal is different.  How old is your dog? Does he generally get along with other people?  He may be very friendly, but have you ever had somebody else walk or look after your dog?  Do you work far away or are away from home for long hours? Is he able to comfortably not go outside for 4, 6, 8 hours?  Does he get separation anxiety? Is your dog able to roam around when you are not home, or is he in a crate? These are all questions to consider.  

There are many perks to having a dog walker.  If you get stuck in a meeting or in traffic, or want to stop at the gym or get a drink after work without stopping home, it relieves any stress or guilt of having to run home to your dog.  It is very comforting to know someone is available to step in when needed.

With all of this being said, the only large setback of having a dog walker is that it is an expense; especially if you are looking to have one on a regular basis.  Dog walking is a service with an expense like anything else. However, if you are on a budget, one option is to find a dog walker that is okay being “on call” but doesn’t need a regular schedule.  That way if something comes up last minute, or let’s say your dog has been sick and needing more attention, you can have someone come.

If you are on the fence about getting a dog walker, one good option is to have a “trial run.”  You can always try a dog walker out and have them come once or twice a week to see how they do; and then go from there.  Monitor your dog’s behavior at this time. See how he is when you get home. Does he seem generally happier and more relaxed?  If he does, it may make sense to invest in a dog walker to increase his quality of life.