What’s the best way to find the right dog walker for your dog? Once you determine that hiring a dog walker is a good choice for both you and your dog, your search can begin.
Gather all the information available to you—word-of-mouth from friends and family; recommendations from professionals like your veterinarian, your groomer, your training-class instructor; local advertisements; and, of course, online websites and reviews. Make a list of the ones you want to contact.
When you start to send emails or make phone calls, who will be answering your questions?
I asked professional dog walkers from across the United States to talk about the services they offer and how they run their businesses. I hope their answers are a good warm-up for you as you start to contact your own list of local possibilities. Are you getting answers as thorough and clear?
Amy Suggars is a dog walker who has run her own company, The Pet Nannies of Central Ohio, in Delaware, Ohio, since 2006. Amy carries pet-sitting/dog-walking liability insurance as well as business liability insurance. She drives a dedicated business vehicle. The State of Ohio has no licensing requirements for pet-sitting/dog-walking, but Amy’s business is registered with the state. It has its own Facebook page, but it is not listed in the yellow pages or other phone books. Pet Nannies has its own website, and Amy also advertises through Pet Sitters Associates, local neighborhood newsletters, and Thumbtack. Amy believes clients find her primarily through online searches, referrals, and signs on her vehicle.
I asked Amy what’s required for the dogs she walks with regard to age, vaccinations, temperament, and size. Amy answered, “Because I walk the dogs belonging to only one client at one time—no group or pack walks—I do not have health restrictions. However, I will suspend service if a dog comes down with a contagious disease. I also do not walk dogs who are known to be aggressive toward people or other dogs.”
Photo by Cherie Marshall
Katie Cassell is an independent dog walker with her own company, Dances With Dogs, in Miami. Katie carries liability insurance. In Florida, Katie says, “Unfortunately, there is no requirement other than an occupational license.” Katie’s business has an office phone, so it can be found through directory assistance, but it no longer advertises in the yellow pages. It does advertise with Angie’s List. Katie says, “After 16 years, most of our clients come through referrals.
“We do not walk puppies outside of their home environment until they are fully vaccinated,” she continued. “We require all of our clients’ dogs to be current on vaccinations or titer tested. We do not have a size limit—Maltese or Mastiff, we will walk them. We do not walk truly aggressive dogs, but I will work with reactive dogs.”
Kathy Nelson-Longwell is also an independent sole proprietor in Modesto, California. Her business is All God’s Creatures. “Dog walking is one of the services I offer. I have been in business for nine years. My clients travel for business and pleasure or need someone daily or weekly because of their work schedules. I walk only the client’s dogs. I don’t walk multiple dogs from different households. I have learned more about dogs in the last year than I ever could doing anything else. I am now moving into training.”
Kathy carries business and vehicle insurance. She says, “I am required to have a business license and I do. There are no other requirements for having a license.” Kathy has a Facebook page for her business and, she adds, “I post pics of the animals with the clients’ permission.” Kathy no longer does yellow-pages advertising, as she’s found it “not productive. When I first started,” Kathy adds, “I advertised in a local coupon book and that worked very well for me. I have no other advertising. I do post on Instagram, which draws people to my business. I am listed on Yelp and Google. Word-of-mouth works best for me at this point. Online searches work, too.
“I have a contract and forms that cover medical issues and important information on the dog,” Kathy says. “I talk with the client about their dog’s health and what kind of walk or exercise works best for their dog. I have refused to walk dogs with severe arthritis and spine issues. I will not walk a dog when the client and I don’t agree on health issues. I also discuss the dog’s leash training. I no longer walk dogs that pull constantly or lunge at other dogs or cats. I have arthritis in my neck and shoulder from years of walking dogs that pull. This is something dog walkers should consider. I learned the hard way.
“The pet information form I have the client fill out includes vaccination dates and medical information,” Kathy continues. “I also have them fill out a veterinarian authorization form that gives me permission to take the dog to the vet, and also includes the clients’ wishes for care, in case of an emergency. The contract requires the animal to be treated for fleas, ticks, and parasites on a regular basis.”
Cheri Spaulding runs Rock Nest Training and Pet Care, LLC, in Eugene, Oregon. Cheri says, “I am an independent operator because I am primarily a dog trainer.” On insurance, Cheri explains, “I carry liability and bonding. I’m told it’s a bit of overkill, but I want to be covered with everything I do.” On licensing, Cheri says, “Because my business is in the county and not the city, there is no business licensing.”
“My business has a Facebook page. I do not have a yellow-pages ad. I advertise on Thumbtack, I write dog-training articles in the local paper, I advertise in neighborhood magazines, I send out mailers, and I place information with veterinarians and other pet professionals. The majority of my clients find me by word-of-mouth.
“I have very few health requirements,” Cheri says. “One of the first questions I ask is who the client’s vet is. All my dog-walking clients have very good relationships with their vets—regular health checks. I will walk dog-aggressive dogs but not with other dogs in the household. I am very worried about redirected aggression. I will walk multiple small to medium-sized dogs from a [single] household. I will walk larger dogs singly from households until I’ve taught the dogs leash skills, and then I will walk larger dogs together.”
Stacy Johnston owns Preferred Pet Pal in Costa Mesa, California. Stacy and her husband cover Costa Mesa, Corona Del Mar, and Newport Beach. “Every now and then,” Stacy adds, “I’ll do Huntington Beach.” Stays has owned her dog-walking company for three years. “I have been walking dogs and caring for them since I was a teen. It’s the most rewarding profession I’ve ever had. My clients range from business professionals to stay-at-home moms and the elderly, all who dearly love their pets. Most of the time I walk one or two dogs. Three dogs, if they are small, are the max I will walk at one time, for safety and quality reasons. My visits range from 5 to 12 homes a day. Most homes have only one or two dogs.”
Stacy says, “I have insurance from Pet Sitters Associates. It’s a little more expensive than others I’ve found, but it has the best coverage.” She explains, “There aren’t any requirements to be a dog walker, so people really need to be diligent when doing their research. To be legitimate, you should have a business license, insurance (people really like when you’re bonded as well), and a pet first-aid and pet CPR certificate.”
Stacy advertises on Yelp and Google Business. “Most of our clients are through word-of-mouth,” she says. “I also give people my business cards. I don’t advertise much because my workload is pretty full already.
“[My] main restriction is if the puppy is under 14 weeks old—or has not had all of its shots—I will not take it out on walks,” Stacy goes on. “A few of my visits are just letting the dogs out to potty and playing with them in the back yard. I also had an experience with a pit bull that was extremely aggressive upon my coming to the gate. It took the dog a long time to settle down after I came into the courtyard. The owner said that was normal and she would be fine when I came alone. That was the only owner I refused to do visits for. If I’m afraid of the dog, they know it, and they will be afraid and more aggressive. Otherwise, I’ve had people with four huge Saint Bernards, very old dogs, some fearful dogs (which always become true friends after they get to know you), dogs that need medicine, and crazy puppies!”
Nan Arthur doesn’t walk dogs now, but she does teach the Dog Walking Academy for Dogtec. Nan says, “I suggest that dog walkers have insurance, be bonded, and have a first-aid certification, no matter what level of walking or sitting they do. (This is especially true if the dogs are being transported to a park, etc. Car insurance won’t cover the dog if you’re in an accident.) Also canine first-aid training in case the dog is hurt or sick. For sure, they should have medical waivers in place, and a credit card with the limits for emergency care. This is important for both the client and the dog walker if something should happen.” Nan adds, “Yelp is a good source for looking into dog walkers, and of course having a website and social media shows professionalism.”
Before you start interviewing the professional dog walkers on your list of local possibilities, consider seriously that you will be putting your dog—your much-loved family member—in the hands of someone who will be, at first, a total stranger to you. Due diligence is necessary. In fact, it’s critical. You cannot simply rely on a website or reviews or even the good experience of a friend. You must ask the hard questions and listen very carefully to the answers.
Next week: Dog-walking horror stories. What could possibly go wrong?
