Photo by Artem Beliaikin on Unsplash
While the idea of lounging around the house all day might sound luxurious to many of us, it might get a bit boring, especially as time goes on. If we had to do it every day, we might even go stir crazy. Now imagine you’re a pup, anxiously waiting for your family to return home from a day of school or work. Those long naps probably get pretty frustrating and could result in your pooch rebelling. Dog walkers give your pup much-needed exercise during the day while providing you with peace of mind.
Here are some tips for finding the best dog walker in Pennsylvania for your needs and budget.
What does a dog walker do?
While the term is straightforward, the responsibilities of a dog walker may vary from client to client. Clients contract dog walkers to walk their pet, ensure their safety on walks, and provide them with ample exercise and socialization, but a dog walker may also:
- Feed your dog if the walk is scheduled around mealtime.
- Fill up the water bowl or replace it with fresh water.
- Give medication, if applicable.
Professional dog walkers in Pennsylvania generally schedule a meet and greet before you both sign a contract, at which time you’ll get to know them and vice-versa, ask questions, and discuss your expectations, payment, and more, which we’ll discuss in greater detail later.
5 Benefits of Hiring a Dog Walker
While hiring a dog walker in Pennsylvania is certainly an extra expense, doing so:
1. Saves you time.
One of the best things about coming home after a long day is the joy with which our dog greets us – bounding toward us, tail wagging, and ready to play after so much time apart. Unfortunately, that long day we just finished often leaves us tired and desperate for a break, and maybe a bite to eat, before we head outdoors for a walk or to play with our pup. A dog walker helps your pooch get the exercise they need before you get home, so they’re able to wait for you to relax a little before heading for a walk or to the dog park.
2. Gives you peace of mind.
A bored dog can easily become destructive or depressed. While many of us have cameras so we can talk to and check on our pets during the day, it isn’t the same as being there. Knowing your dog is getting socialization, exercise, and lots of attention allows you to relax and focus on your day.
3. Provides much-needed exercise for your dog.
Various factors – age, breed, and health – go into determining how much exercise your dog needs each day. While your vet can help you pinpoint how much exercise your dog should get, one fact remains indisputable. All dogs need exercise of some type for their physical and mental health.
4. Allows your dog to socialize.
Just like people, even the shyest, most introverted dogs need socialization. A dog walker will spend time with your dog, and you never know who they’ll meet, including other people and dogs, on their walks.
5. Helps your dog maintain an ideal weight.
It’s hard to say no to those puppy dog eyes, begging us for an extra treat, and some of us, even though we know it’s not the best idea, give in all too easily. Daily walks with a dog walker will help your dog maintain their ideal weight.
These are just a few of the many benefits of hiring a professional dog walker, and you may have a laundry list of others. Once you’ve decided that a dog walker might be right for you and your pup, you can start looking for the perfect match.
How do I find a dog walker?
One of the simplest ways to find a dog walker is to put “dog walkers near me” or “dog walking services near me” into the Google search bar and see what comes up. Some pet sitting services also offer dog walking, so search for “pet sitters near me,” too. But, before you go that route, start by asking family, friends, and even co-workers if they have or know of a dog walker they can recommend.
Whether you find your dog walker via personal recommendations, Google, or a company like Rover.com, research your choices. Check out each dog walker’s website, see how they run their business, and read reviews.
Once you’ve found who you think is the right dog walker, you’ll connect with them to set up a meet and greet.
What should I expect during the meet and greet?
Once you’ve found a dog walker, you’ll typically schedule a meet and greet. If a dog walker doesn’t offer a meet and greet, consider looking for one who does. A meet and greet is essential to ensuring the professional and your pup get along and for outlining expectations for both of you. It’s also a time for the dog walker to outline their policies and to ask questions, such as:
- What is your dog’s normal routine, including meal and exercise times?
- Do you need any other services, such as feeding a meal or giving meds?
- How many walks a day does your dog normally take?
- How does your dog normally behave on a walk – calm, excited, apprehensive?
- How does your dog respond to other dogs, pets, and people during walks?
- Is your dog afraid of anything, such as loud noises, sudden movements, or other dogs/animals?
- Where does your dog like to walk?
- Has your dog had any training like obedience training?
- If your dog gets off leash, how do you get them back? Do you have a specific recall word or phrase?
- Who is your veterinarian? Do you have an emergency vet?
- What do you want me to do in case of an emergency?
- Do you have an emergency contact in case you are not available?
Be as open and honest as possible when answering questions, so the walks will be a success. However, it isn’t only the dog walker’s chance to ask question. It is also your opportunity to learn as much as you can. If she hasn’t already covered it, ask:
- What is your experience as a dog walker?
- Will you only be walking my dog? Or do you walk dogs in groups? (This is especially important if you’re hiring a dog walking or pet sitting service.)
- Are you bonded and insured?
- Are you trained in CPR and first aid for pets?
- What length walks do you offer – 30 minutes, 45 minutes, or an hour?
- How many walks a day do you generally recommend?
- What will you do if my dog somehow gets off leash?
- Will you still take my dog for a walk if it rains or snows?
- What happens if I have to cancel a walk? Is there a fee?
- What happens if you have to cancel a walk? Do you have a backup?
- How do I schedule walks?
- How much do you charge? Is there an additional fee for holiday walks?
- Do you offer walks on weekends? If so, is there an extra fee?
- What do you do if there’s an emergency?
- Do you send photos of my dogs/updates after walks?
- How do I get in touch with you in an emergency?
If you have more questions, write them down, and don’t be afraid of writing down the answers, too. You are putting your trust in a professional to care for your dog, so you want to be comfortable with and confident in whom you hire.
What’s next?
Let’s say everything is going perfectly at your meet and greet. You feel confident with the dog walker. Your dog and the dog walker got along well, and you’re ready to get started. Some professional dog walkers will then set up a test walk before setting up a schedule.
You’ve found the perfect match.
Now that you’ve found the perfect match, you are ready to set up a schedule. Your professional dog walker should have you sign a contract that outlines the terms, including when and how long each walk will be, number of walks a day, and payment policy. Read the contract thoroughly before signing, so you know what to expect from your relationship with your dog walker. If you have any questions about the contract, ask.
Ultimately, hiring a professional dog walker can have numerous benefits for both you and your pup. Invest the time in finding a good match to ensure a stress-free and positive experience for everyone.
