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4 Things to Look for in a Dog Walking Service

February 13, 2017 by Mary Telesz

Dog Walking ServiceWhen you bring your dog home for the very first time, he or she quickly becomes a member of your family — eagerly greeting you at the end of each day and staying by your side throughout the ups and downs of life. As a pet owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that your dog is properly cared for, from providing the right food to taking him to the vet to making sure he gets enough exercise to stay healthy. The last area in particular can be challenging for many dog owners, especially for those are unable to take their dog on regular walks because they work full-time throughout the day. A dog walking service can fill in this gap, offering regular exercise to house-bound pets who otherwise might be stuck inside all day. So, how do you go about choosing a dog walking service?

Unlike many other professions, dog walkers are not tightly regulated. Anyone can advertise themselves as a dog walking service, even if they lack experience and credentials. A dog walker will have access to your home, and will be entrusted with the care of your dog. That is why it is so important to do your research before hiring a dog walking service. Here are four things to look for before hiring a dog walker.

Dog Walking Service Recommendations

One of the best ways to know whether a dog walking service is reliable and trustworthy is through the recommendations of people who have used them. Knowing that a dog walker is taking good care of other people’s pets will give you peace of mind when hiring a service.

Start by asking the professionals — your veterinarian, vet tech, groomer, or trainer may all have ideas for who to contact. They may also be able to recommend someone who has experience or skill in handling a dog like yours (breed, temperament, health issues). You can also ask shelter workers or pet store owners for ideas; they can tell you who they hire to walk dogs in Northern Virginia or if they have heard anything bad about a particular dog walking service.

Next, turn to family and friends. While they may not be experts in the field, they will likely know your dog well, and may have personal knowledge of specific dog walking services. Ask them who they use to walk their dogs, and whether or not they would recommend them for your own dog.

Finally, in 2017, it is only natural to turn to the internet to look for recommendations — especially if people that you know do not have specific recommendations for a dog walker. Google dog walking services in your area, and scan the websites of any local dog walkers (if available). This will give you a good idea of their rates, policies, availability and services. Once you have chosen a few options, do a deeper search to look for reviews for the service on sites, like Yelp or ones that are geared specifically to dog walkers. Remember that there may be some glowing reviews that are fake or some scathing reviews that are exaggerated. Thoroughly consider both good and bad reviews before deciding to contact a dog walking service to schedule an interview.

Training and Qualifications

Many people assume that to be a good dog walker, all it takes is a love of dogs. However, the best dog walkers are the ones with professional experience in working with dogs who can provide proof of their skills and training.

Talk to a potential dog walking service about how long they have been walking dogs, and what their training and discipline methods are. A dog walker should be trained to provide first aid to your dog, and know what to do in the event of an emergency. Finally, a dog walking service should be licensed, insured and bonded, and should have written policies and contracts — even if they work for themselves on a part-time basis. Insurance can help to protect against incidents that may occur when the dog walker is out with your pet, and a bond can protect your home in the event that a dog walker is untrustworthy. A written contract and policies can help minimize future disputes, and spell out the responsibilities of both the owner and the dog walker.

Remember that dog walking requires commitment, as the person will be required to show up at your house and walk your dog every day for months or years. Having training, qualifications and documentation will not guarantee that they will be good with your dog, but it does tend to demonstrate that they will be there for the long haul.

A Dog Walking Service Plan

Logistics are a critical part of dog walking. If a dog walker cannot provide details about when, where and how long they will walk your dog, then they will not likely be a good choice as a dog walking service.

Dog walkers should be able to provide basic information about where they will walk your dog each day, and if the route or area will vary. They should be able to tell you how long your dog will be walked, and the rates for these walks. If your dog will be transported to another location for a walk, the dog walker should be able to tell you what kind of vehicle he or she will be in and how your dog will be restrained. A dog walking service should be able to tell you who will be able to walk your dog, and what will happen if that person is unable to be there. A dog walker should also be able to tell you whether your dog will be walked alone or with other dogs.

While flexibility may be required to a certain extent, a dog walking service should be able to set a reliable schedule for your dog, as they tend to thrive on routine. If a dog walker cannot provide this information, then it may be time to consider a different dog walker. A dog walking service should also have a plan in place, such as a log book, to let you know that the walker was there and that your dog went to the bathroom while on his or her walk.

Comfort With Your Dog

Even a dog walking service with the highest credentials will not be a good fit if the person who is walking your dog doesn’t get along with him or her. Ask a potential dog walker if they offer a free consultation, or a meet and greet. This is an important trial run to determine if the relationship is going to work.

Many dogs act differently with new people than they do normally. A consultation is a great opportunity to see not only how your dog behaves, but to see how the dog walker responds. For example, if your dog is shy and not warming up to the person, does he or she try to force interaction, or sit back and let the dog get used to him or her? Carefully observe how they get along, which may be the deciding factor in whether or not you hire a particular dog walker.

Next, ask the potential dog walker to go for a walk with you and your dog. Have them do the entire process, from putting on the leash or harness to getting out the door and going on a walk. Watch to see how the dog walker handles challenging behavior and how he or she interacts with your dog. Remember that the dog walker will be alone with your dog daily, and you want to feel confident with how your dog is being treated during this time.

During this consultation, ask the dog walking service questions about your dog’s specific needs, such as medical or behavioral issues. Talk openly and honestly about your dog’s issues, and listen to how they respond. If you do not feel comfortable with their response, it may be a sign that you should interview other dog walking services. Make sure that your dog walker is comfortable deferring to you when it comes to your dog’s needs, such as not taking your dog places where kids will be or giving your dog extra time to get down stairs. While the walker may have training or expertise, you know your dog better than anyone else and your judgement should be respected as its owner.

The consultation may be the most important part of the process of choosing a dog walking service. Training, qualifications and experience will not count for much if your dog is not comfortable with the dog walker or if the walker cannot handle your dog. Remember that in order for this relationship to work, the dog and the walker have to actually like each other — so keep this factor in mind when interviewing dog walking services!

Help From Pet Care Professionals

Daily exercise is critical to your dog’s health and safety. If you cannot walk your dog during the day, consider hiring a dog walking service to help make sure that your dog gets the activity he or she needs to stay in top form. The above tips can help you choose a dog walker that will safely provide both exercise and attention to your dog on regular walks. Contact Paw Pals today to learn more about our dog walking services!

Filed Under: Dog Walking

Contact Paw Pals for More Information

Paw Pals specializes in professional dog walking, dog sitting, and pet sitting services. One of our reliable, adult staff members will keep your pet safe, while providing your pet the love and care they need when you are away. Contact us to learn more!

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Paw Pals Pet Sitting, LLC
14001-C Saint Germain Drive #213
Centreville, VA 20121
(703) 345-1695

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9am - 5pm
Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Centreville – 20120, 20121
Chantilly – 20151
Clifton – 20124
Fairfax – 22030, 22033
Fairfax Station – 22039
Manassas – 20109, 20110, 20111
Reston – 20191, 20190

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4.9
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
4.9
Taylor Smith
Taylor Smith
21:22 03 Oct 21
I never worry when Mary and team take care of my dog!
Michæl Silva
Michæl Silva
21:38 01 Jul 22
Mary at Paw Pals Pet Sitting is the greatest! She has helped me train my pooch Chico how play nice with other dogs and for that I am extremely grateful! A+A+A+A+A+A
Kwi Kim
Kwi Kim
22:37 17 Jun 22
I hired Paw Pals based on my sister’s referral. Meet & greet was very thorough and detailed. I was surprised that my finicky cat came to check the sitter out. Subsequently, a sitter watched my cat over several separate visits, and it was clear through the visit reports that my cat loved the sitter. All the visits were completed having followed my directions & with professionalism.I would highly recommend Paw Pals to anyone who’s looking for a dependable, personable, & professional sitter.
Joseph Walter
Joseph Walter
19:55 13 Jun 22
Paw Pals provided a large number of photos of our pets along with a personalized message on how our pets were doing with every single visit. I would highly recommend using Paw Pals, we'll be continuing to use them whenever we go on vacation.
Ashley Manning
Ashley Manning
09:50 11 Jun 22
Highly recommend as pet sitters!Initially, a sitter from the company will visit the house to meet the pets and learn where everything is. Tatiana took careful notes and we got her some spare keys.While we are away, Paw Pals sends sitters to come and look after our boys. They feed them, scoop litter, bring in mail and packages, and they will even manage trash, recycling, blinds and lights so that everything is comfortable for our kitties. Each time they check in, we receive an email message with updates and pictures, which is so comforting when we are on the road.Also, if you don’t let Paw Pals know when you are home, they assume something has happened and will continue to care for your babies. If something were to happen, I know they would be okay.Five stars for Paw Pals!
Brian Wood
Brian Wood
04:08 22 May 22
We have used Paw Pals for a number of years now and would highly recommend to anyone looking for help with their pets. Great communication from owner Mary and flexibility to make adjustments in schedule as life changes over time. Have had a consistent set of walkers who have gotten to know our pup and the various walking routes around our neighborhood quite well.
Lesley Bush
Lesley Bush
13:58 18 Mar 22
We can't rave enough about Paw Pals. They took care of our 18 year old Cat and 20 year old Chinchilla while we were away and when our flight got cancelled, they were so accommodating and available last minute for an extra day. We worked with Jen to coordinate visits from Miko and Danny. I loved the pictures and updates on how our Lil geriatric guys were doing. Thanks a million, Paw Pals!! Our special pets were so well cared for.
Sebastian Barnes
Sebastian Barnes
01:06 17 Jan 22
I have used Paw Pals for several trips over the last few months, and they have been phenomenal every time! Mary is extremely kind and responsive, and she makes sure that my cat and dog have the care that they need every time I am out of town. All of the pet sitters that I've had have been incredibly sweet to my pets, and they treat them like their own! Will gladly continue using Paw Pals every time I need a sitter.
Julie Shildt
Julie Shildt
17:45 14 Nov 21
It has been a pleasure doing business with paw pals. We have used this company for several trips we have taken over the past 6 months. They have been wonderful caretakers for our 2 cats. Anytime there is ever a question they don't hesitate to give us a call and they leave the best notes and pictures in the emailed report of each visit. We are so glad have found such a great company.
Andrea Hall
Andrea Hall
22:45 03 Oct 20
I wasn't sure about hiring a new doggie walker service... after all they are our kiddos... my babies were in great hands and I felt relaxed having them in their care. Thank you for everything!
Katie McCune
Katie McCune
19:19 15 Jul 21
I honestly cannot recommend Mary and her whole crew enough! We started using Mary originally about 7 years ago to stop by occasionally when our Aussie Lana was younger. Over the next couple years Lana stayed with Mary and her family for a couple weekends when we went on vacation. When we moved to our new house in Manassas, Lana stayed with Sam, who lives in Manassas, overnight for moving day, and did great. Right before the pandemic, we adopted our second Aussie, Goose, and Mary recommended a fantastic trainer for him.We now have weekly walks for the dogs, and they love all of their walkers! Trevor, Paul, Hazel, Sofie, and probably a couple others have helped Goose get used to more people, and have helped my husband and me when our schedules are crazy.Paw Pals is our go-to for any help with our dogs, so I highly recommend them!
Alexandra Hill
Alexandra Hill
22:43 23 May 21
I was a nervous mommy to leave my cats with a sitter service for the first time. Paw Pals went above and beyond to care for my cats and ease a nervous mommy. I already made a reservation to use them again!
Cindy Welgoss
Cindy Welgoss
13:12 27 Nov 20
We have been using Paw Pals for several years, and through a variety of pets that we have loved. Mary and her team have always been *exceptional* in every way. They are professional, courteous, and truly love our fur family! Mary herself is an organized and stellar administrator of her pet care business, keeping detailed records of our pet’s needs, scheduled pet visits, payments, and balance due easy to keep track of as the pet owner. The pet caretaking team is reliable and trustworthy. When our dogs see any of their Paw Pal friends, they get SO excited to see them! Follow up comments are left via text to keep the pet owner informed of the visit and how the pets are faring. Paw Pals has allowed our family the peace of mind to leave our pets at home, for work, weekend getaways and longer times away when necessary, where they are the most comfortable and familiar. We are grateful to Mary and her team for giving us the ability to enjoy pet ownership without feeling tied down. The responsibility of having pets comes with the need to keep them safe and comfortable at all times, and Mary and her team affords us this when our family has to be away.
Dr Tammy Cashion
Dr Tammy Cashion
21:11 12 Mar 19
We have used Paw pals pet sitting on multiple occasions for our bunnies while we are away. Many pet sitters are not interested in small pets however; Mary and her team, are amazing and we trust her implicitly! We are very happy with the outstanding service we have received from her team including texts and photos of our pets when we are out of town. They always go the extra mile and we highly recommend them!
Kristin Conrad
Kristin Conrad
16:00 16 Nov 19
We are so grateful we found Mary and her team at Paw Pals. They are exceptionally responsive, amazingly organized and detail-oriented.We have such peace of mind when we travel knowing our home and pets are so well cared for. Paw Pals is the best pet sitting service we’ve used, and we’re so happy we found them.
Katie Russell
Katie Russell
15:01 17 May 20
Paw Pals is fantastic! I have had a great experience with Mary! Compassionate, professional, responsive, and prompt! Thank you!
Phillip Evans
Phillip Evans
14:38 11 Jul 20
When we adopted our new dog in January, Paw Pals agreed to walk her and give her some outside time so she wasn't in the crate all day. She loved her dog walker and you could see her excitement every time the walker showed up. We moved out of the area but would recommend Paw Pals to anyone needing someone to care for their pets.
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