How to hire a dog walker
A dog walker takes your dog out on a schedule while you are at work — a service built almost entirely on trust, keys and consistency.
What the job usually involves
- Solo and group walks.
- Midday visits for puppies and older dogs.
- Feeding, water and medication on a visit.
- Key or lockbox access.
- Updates, photographs and GPS tracks of the walk.
What to ask before you agree to anything
- Are walks solo or in a group, and how many dogs per walker?
- Are you insured and bonded?
- How do you handle keys or access codes?
- What do you do in an emergency, and which vet would you use?
- Do I get confirmation each visit, with a photograph or GPS track?
- Who covers if you are ill?
Warning signs
- No insurance, on a service that holds your house key.
- Group sizes left vague.
- No emergency plan or vet authorisation in place.
- No record of visits, so you cannot tell whether one was missed.
Common questions
Should I choose solo or group dog walks?
Solo suits reactive, elderly, anxious or recovering dogs and gives full attention. Group walks add socialisation and usually cost less, but only suit dogs who are comfortable with other dogs. Be honest about your dog — a mismatch here creates incidents.
Should a dog walker be insured?
Yes. Insurance covers injury to your dog, injury your dog causes, and problems in your home. Being bonded additionally covers theft. It is reasonable to ask for proof, and ordinary for a professional to have it ready.
How do I know the walk actually happened?
Most professional walkers send a message after each visit, often with a photograph or a GPS track. If a walker offers no confirmation at all, you have no way to know — and that is worth more than a small price difference.
How does Region Beacon work for dog walkers?
You describe the job once. The first nearby business that takes it gets your details and contacts you; nobody else does. You deal with whoever you pick directly, and you pay them directly — Region Beacon never handles the money and takes no commission, so nothing is added to your price for using it.
How do I know if a dog walker's quote is fair?
Get more than one. A single quote tells you what one business charges; three tell you what the job is worth where you live. Ask each for the same scope in writing, and treat a quote far below the others as probably missing something rather than a bargain.
Get quotes from dog walkers near you
Describe the job once and the first nearby business to take it contacts you. Only that one gets your details, no commission is added, and your details are not sold on to anyone.