A new Dog walker

1. Where should I start looking?

Most people kick things off with a quick Google search, but remember, not every business has a website. You might find some awesome dog care providers online, but there are some not-so-great ones too.

It’s smart to get recommendations from local pros like trainers, other dog owners, and vets. Check out recent testimonials and try to get references. Don’t just go with one person’s opinion; gather several recommendations to make the best choice. Also, be cautious with the references the dog care provider gives you—they might be showing you only the best ones!

2. Should I go with one person or a bigger group?

I wish I could give you a straight answer, but it really depends on the care each business offers and how they do it. Think about your dog’s needs too. For instance, if your dog isn’t a fan of being around lots of other dogs, a company that handles many dogs might not be the best fit.

In the end, choose the option that feels right for you and your dog.

Remember, dog walking doesn’t have much oversight—bosses rarely see their employees in action, and dogs aren’t great at giving feedback. So, whether the person walking your dog is self-employed or works for a company, they’re usually alone with your dog most of the time. Get to know them yourself. If you go with a larger dog care service like Rover or Wag, meet each person who might take care of your dog and do a meet and greet or trial walk with each one.

3. Are they qualified?

This is super important! Untrained staff might miss signs that a dog isn’t happy, which could lead to serious issues. On the flip side, trained staff can spot scared dogs, or dogs that have shut down, and they’ll know how to handle these situations properly. They’ll also make sure all dogs have positive play experiences and know how to play safely with dogs and people.

It’s crucial to ask about the training someone has had on canine body language, managing dogs effectively, introducing dogs positively, and how to break up dog fights and handle runaway dogs (yes, unfortunately, it can happen).

Ideally, you’re looking for someone with at least 6 months to a year’s experience before they can manage dogs playing. Don’t hesitate to ask for proof of their qualifications and their commitment to continued professional development.

Hiring the kid from your neighborhood might not be the smartest choice.

Any dog care provider should definitely have an up-to-date canine First Aid certificate and a protocol for runaway dogs.

4. Do you like them? Do you trust them? And does your dog?

You’ve got to like the person who will be taking care of your dog, but more importantly—your dog must like and trust them too! It’s not just about getting along; there should be a strong relationship based on trust and understanding.

It’s super important that the person caring for your dog really gets to know them—what they enjoy, what makes them nervous, which commands work best, any issues they might have (like guarding other dogs), their health, if they can swim, how much energy they have, and where they should be left when you bring them home. The dog carer should never treat every dog the same; they should always tailor their care to each dog’s unique personality.

A good dog walker should let you join them on a walk. This should be done without your dog so you can focus and ask questions (your dog should only be introduced after a thorough meet and greet). You should feel relaxed and have plenty of time to ask questions without feeling rushed.

If something doesn’t feel right or you’re not happy with what you see or hear, it’s okay to walk away. If you’re happy, set up a detailed meet and greet with the dog walker at your home. This time, they should ask most of the questions to gather as much info as possible about your dog. They should ask about their temperament, diet, exercise, energy levels, health needs, behavior, socialization, training, and go over their terms and conditions in detail. Introducing a new dog to a new person is a big step, so it’s important to make sure everyone is happy.

5. Are they properly insured and licensed?

Insurance:

Every dog walker should be able to keep their clients, property, dogs, and themselves safe. But for a dog walker who travels to meet their clients, that’s usually not needed. However, there are some basic things every dog sitter and walker should have insurance for:

• Vehicle Insurance (plus extra coverage if they’re transporting animals)

• Pet Taxi Insurance

• Public Liability Insurance

• Professional Indemnity Insurance

• Employers’ Liability Insurance (if they have employees)

• Care, Custody, and Control of Animals insurance

• Key cover (to protect against losing or stealing client keys)

Licensing:

It’s surprising that anyone can call themselves a professional dog walker or daycare provider, even if they don’t have much dog experience. Even though the industry is growing, there’s still no official watchdog for dog walkers. But good news! All Pennsylvania dog daycare facilities, whether home-based or at a commercial location, need a PA kennel license.

So, when you’re thinking about hiring someone, it’s a good idea to ask to see their licenses and affiliations to make sure they’re professional, responsible, and following the law!

New client's dog and walker

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