How To Find A Dog Walker
Ideally, most fit dogs would get 1-2 hours of exercise a day, but if you have a full-time job and a family, that might be impossible to accomplish on your own. As with most things in life, it’s going to cost you time or money. If you choose money, here are my tips for finding a competent walker.
My first walk with Rosco when I housesat for him outside of Park City, UT. We used his harness, but I (as a trainer) quickly switched his gear. Make sure your walker explains if they want to use their own gear and why. Also be sure they are making weather and fitness appropriate choices as they get to know your dog and start taking them out. Don’t assume they know what they are doing!
Stay Local
I’ll start with the obvious suggestion: get on Google and type in “dog walker.” See who services your area and talk to a few companies. Before making a selection, I advise doing the following to find someone great who might not be on Google.
Search Nextdoor.com, your neighborhood Facebook group, or ping your neighborhood email list and ask your neighbors if they have someone they love.
If there’s a building nearby with a front desk, ask them if they know who the walkers are or if they could ask for you.
Put a sign in your yard (if you have one), check flyers on bulletin boards at local businesses, and maybe hang a flyer of your own.
Reach out to local vets, daycares, trainers, and boarding facilities to ask if they recommend anyone in the area.
You’ll notice I don’t mention Rover. While I’m sure there are some reliable, competent, and caring walkers on that site, anyone can sign up, and there are plenty of horror stories. You love your dog, and their care is not a place to try to find the budget option.
Vetting Your Walker
If they have a website or reviews on Google or Yelp, check those out. If they don’t, ask for references and be sure you talk to at least two.
I housesat for Maddie in Taos and because of her dog reactivity we played a lot of fetch and found some trails with no other walkers. I felt safe dropping the leash long enough to snap this photo because I was blocking the exit of the bridge!
Any good walker will want to come over when you’re home so the dog can meet them with you present for the first time.
If you have a training protocol, ask if you can go on a quick walk together to give them a basic rundown.
Ideally, you’ll also be there on the day of the first walk. Until the dog makes that first positive association of going on a fun outing with this new person and being returned home at the end, they’ll think they’re being kidnapped by a stranger.
Ask who they use for insurance. Business Insurers of the Carolinas is the one most animal care pros have and use. Your walker should definitely be insured to cover any potential issues with security at your home, injuries to your dog, your walker, another dog, or a stranger while they have your dog. You never know! It’s best to be covered.
A professional walker will want you to sign a contract and liability waiver, and many will have you fill out an intake form or questionnaire. If the walker doesn’t have any of this infrastructure (full disclosure—I didn’t when I first started!), that’s a red flag.
Don’t let your dog choose. If someone comes over and feeds your dog treats, bends down and riles them up, lets them drag around the neighborhood, and rewards other impulsive behaviors, your dog may be stoked to see them, but that isn’t going to be good for your dog’s overall mentality and behavior. You want your dog to be happy to see the walker but know they shouldn’t jump on them.
Set Expectations
Ask if they take multiple dogs at once and be sure you’re on the same page. Social walks are great if your dog is well-socialized, but if the walker has too many dogs at a time, it can be overwhelming and dangerous.
Ask if they will walk in the neighborhood or drive to a nearby neighborhood or park.
Ask if they ever take dogs off-leash or use longlines or e-collars. Be sure you’re on the same page about this, and don’t let your dog off-leash if they aren’t very reliably trained to be safe. Even if they are, request two weeks to a month on-leash for the dog and walker to get to know each other.
Also, ask how much of the time will be spent walking or if their drive time, yard time, or playtime are included. Ideally, the walk is at least 60 minutes if it’s for exercise and 30 minutes for a potty break.
You can’t expect a walker to be a trainer or train your dog, so don’t give them your training leash unless they’re experienced with it. The more experience they have, the more they’ll charge!
After a few years of doing off leash pack hikes I knew what I was doing, but I closed this part of my business because because it was so hard to train new staff! Taking dogs off leash involves a lot of skill, focus and knowledge of dogs. Any trustworthy walker won’t try to take your dog off leash for the first few weeks of knowing them and they definitely won’t try to take them to a dog park.
Accountability
We all want to think the best of people, but if you have some external form of accountability, that can be a good thing as you’re getting to know someone new. If you have a Ring camera, that can be a good way of tracking time.
If you don’t have cameras, ask for a text when they arrive and leave and a photo or two from the walk. You don’t want them more focused on taking photos than walking, but ideally, each walk involves a little break. The photos allow you to see timestamps and location.
There are also affordable GPS collars that allow you to keep tabs on time and distance.
Your dog would much prefer a trail to another boring walk around their block, but be prepared to pay more as a one hour walk will take two hours including drive time.
Be Honest
Is your dog sketchy around kids, skateboarders, dogs with fluffy tails, or Halloween decorations? Tell the walker.
Does your dog try to dart out of doors or dodge your hand when it’s time to put the leash back on at the park? Tell the walker.
Has your dog jumped out of a partially open window when you arrive at the park or when they saw a critter?
Has your dog tried to bite anyone? Ideally, this is something a good walker will ask.
Being honest and upfront about any issues will help your walker prevent potential loss, injury, or death. This is about keeping everyone safe, not you looking good. Plus, if the issue comes up, they’re going to find out on their own! As you begin your walker search, start a running list of quirks you want to disclose.
Be Willing to Pivot
Just like dating, chances are the first walker you try won’t be “the one.” Set up a few trial walks in a row and see who you connect with and who seems to fit well with your dog.
You’ll want to have a few backup walkers for unexpected long days out, so it’s worthwhile to find 2-3 people you can call on. If one of them does pet sitting (will stay in your home) or in-home boarding (your dog goes to stay at their home), that’s a bonus!
If, over time, your dog develops behavior issues or just isn’t as well-exercised as they were at first, talk to your walker, but be willing to pivot. Now you know how to find someone!