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| Dog walking service usually involves giving the walker a key to your home, so he or she can pick up the dog while you are at work or on a trip. Dog walkers sometimes bring in mail or water plants as well. |
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| Typical costs: |
- A 15- to 20-minute walk usually costs between $15 and $17 for one dog.
- A 30- to 40-minute walk usually costs between $18 and $22 for one dog.
- And a 40-minute to an hour-long walk usually costs between $22 and $27 for one dog.
- Most dog walking services do not price by breed, just by number of dogs. As many as three more dogs from the same household, or neighboring homes, can usually be added for about $10 or half price each.
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| What should be included: |
- Some dog walkers will spend extra time playing with the dog in the home or back yard and will feed and water the dog.
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| Additional costs: |
- Some dog walkers charge an extra fee of $5 or more for very early morning and evening walks.
- For very high energy dogs, a dog running service might be a better bet. This service is available only in certain cities, but seems to be catching on. Happy Puppies Running is a service in the San Francisco area, Running Paws is in New York and Running the Pack is in Boston. Cost ranges from $30 for one 30-minute group run to $200 per week for five 45-minute runs. Running Paws provides information on exercise requirements for high-energy breeds.
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| Discounts: |
- Hiring a non-professional to provide dog walking can be much cheaper, but it is important to use caution. Possible ways to find a non-professional dog walker include putting up fliers, asking neighbors and putting a classified ad in the newspaper or on Craigslist.com.
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| Shopping for a dog walker: |
- Find a good dog-walking service by contacting your veterinarian, groomer or local humane organization. Or, do search for your city at FindADogWalker.com.
- PetSitUSA provides a checklist of questions to ask a dog walker.
- Most dog walking and running services require a get-to-know-you meeting with a dog. Some companies also require that the owner sign a form stating that the dog has no history of aggression.
- Dog walkers usually require that dogs in their care be up-to-date on vaccinations and on a flea preventative. PetSitUSA has answers about dog walkers.
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Article updated September 2007 |
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