Paw Pals Pet Sitting

Dog Walking & Pet Sitting in Northern VA

(703) 345-1695
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How To Become A Certified Dog Walker

March 9, 2020 by Mary Telesz

Dog walker walking group of dogs in parkBecoming a certified dog walker can be an exciting prospect, but it comes with a high degree of responsibility, regardless of the breed of dog one has to work with. Additionally, dog walking typically does not just include taking a pet out to get exercise. It also involves ensuring dogs have sufficient food and water.

According to a study by petbacker.com, 64% of dog owners viewed dog walking as a personal reflection of their affection for their pets, and 93% of owners said this activity helped their dog feel less stressed. Unsurprisingly, dog owners have also been found to be more likely to exercise regularly (dogs provide motivation). A 2017 study by Reuters Health revealed that routine dog walkers enjoyed activity levels that were 20% higher on days with adverse weather conditions and were more active for roughly 30 minutes each day compared to individuals who didn’t own dogs. The study was conducted among adults from Norfolk in the United Kingdom aged 40 to 79.

Dog walkers earned a median wage of $12 per hour in 2016, per Payscale.com. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics also predicts a roughly 11% jump in employment for animal care workers during the 10-year period from 2014 to 2024.

Given this, here are some key steps to take as part of the process of becoming a certified dog walker:

Background And Education

There is typically no high-level education degree required to be a dog walker, although a high school diploma or GED may be demanded in certain cases. High school students can take classes in business and animal science in order to prepare for this type of job. A state driver’s license to transport dogs by car and regional permits for use of local parks is sometimes required as well.

Key Personality Traits For Success

A love of animals, attention to detail and a thorough understanding of their various forms of nutrition are among the key qualities to have for being a dog walker.

Dog walkers should also know how to properly pick up and dispose of droppings, be familiar with the use of leashes and other restraints and be able to walk dogs in several types of weather conditions.

Consider Online Or Specialty Courses

Girl on ground hugging dogCourses in subjects like disease prevention, pet grooming and dog nutrition can significantly help prospective dog walkers become more adept at this type of work. Certain animal organizations also provide certification courses to give people hands-on training with things like animal body language, leash training and first aid. Exams may be administered in certain cases.

Emergency And Welfare Certifications

Two types of certification that can help make professional dog walkers even more proficient are those that help said person take care of a dog in the event of an emergency and that tend to its welfare, including its nutrition and overall health.

Liability insurance is also often recommended for dog walkers in the event that something bad happens to them or to the dog. Professional dog walkers who are self-employed may have to document dogs’ vaccination history and license numbers.

Animal Training Certification

This type of certification can usually be obtained in entry-level jobs at animal welfare organizations throughout the country. Training programs at these places can teach first-time dog walkers how to control leashed dogs and adequately dispose of their manure, among other things.

Review Local Paw Pals Requirements Today

Speak to the experienced professionals at Paw Pals Pet Sitting to learn more about dog walking certification requirements. Although based in Centreville, Virginia, Paw Pals serves customers in Chantilly, Clifton, Fairfax, Fairfax Station, Manassas and Reston.

Paw Pals’ midday dog walking prices start at $16 for the first dog for a 15-minute visit, and $2 more for each additional dog. This includes walking, playtime and providing treats, food, water and medication. Weekend and after-hours dog walks are also permitted at Paw Pals for owners with atypical work schedules. Additional services include dog supply pick-up, dog taxi service, dog waste pickup and garden watering. In cases of inclement weather, a $20 fee can apply.

Woman walking group of dogs Founded by Centreville dog walking native and proud Australian Shepherd puppy owner Mary Telesz, Paw Pals is dedicated to providing personalized pet sitting and dog walking services. Paw Pals is bonded, licensed and completely insured. Their professionals are also PetTech certified in both First Aid and Pet CPR. Call Paw Pals today at (703) 345-1695 or contact them online for more information about their services. They will keep any personal information you submit to them completely confidential.

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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Office Location

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

professional dog walking software

Office Hours

Monday
9am - 5pm
Tuesday
9am - 5pm
Wednesday
9am - 5pm
Thursday
9am - 5pm
Friday
9am - 5pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

Areas Served

Centreville – 20120, 20121
Chantilly – 22151
Clifton – 20124
Fairfax – 22030, 22033
Fairfax Station – 22039
Manassas – 20109, 20110, 20111
Reston – 20191, 20190

Google Rating
5.0
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
5.0
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!
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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