Do I need to hire a dog walker: everything you need to know

If health, lifestyle, or career issues prevent you from providing your dog with the outdoor exercise it needs, you might consider hiring a dog sitter. This is a great way to help keep your dog happy and healthy if you can’t walk him yourself. In what cases do you need a dog walker and what you need to know before looking for him – in the article all the pros and cons of hiring dog sitters.

Benefits of Hiring a Dog Walker

If you can’t walk your dog on your own, the help of a suitable dog sitter has many benefits. Among them:

• Dog health. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), obesity is a serious problem for four-legged pets. If you do not monitor your pet’s weight, this can lead to a number of serious diseases: type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, heart and respiratory diseases, and many others. Walking dogs should last at least 20 minutes three times a day – this way you prolong the life of your pet and improve its quality.
• Dog behavior. If the dog has the opportunity to spend energy in a useful way, he will be more calm and relaxed at home. This means that the owners will have to worry less about its disturbing, aggressive or destructive behavior, such as when the animal bites, chews on furniture and shoes, or defecates in the house.
• Your stress level. Regardless of the reasons owners consider walking their dogs for money, it’s important to find someone you can trust to take care of a pet. Knowing that the dog is provided with the necessary physical activity, the owner will be much calmer.

Disadvantages of Hiring a Walking Assistant

Although the benefits of such assistance far outweigh the disadvantages, not everyone will be able to use the services of a walking assistant. Among the minuses are the following:

• Such a solution is not universal. For dogs that need one walk daily, or two walks a day three times a week, a companion may be the perfect solution. But if you have a particularly energetic dog who needs a lot of attention and play, this service may not be suitable.
• You may have to confide in a stranger. The best dog walkers are consummate professionals who love and understand animals and will treat your pet with the utmost care. But let’s face it, the idea of ​​giving a stranger the keys to your house can be questionable. If someone walks your dog, it probably means that they will come to your house to take or leave the dog when you are not around. This can confuse even the most gullible people.
• Additional expenses. How much dog walkers are paid depends on their qualifications and experience. Using the cheapest walking service isn’t always the best idea, but that doesn’t mean they can’t do the job. The same can be said for premium walkers – just because they cost more doesn’t guarantee they’ll be perfect for you and your dog.

Looking for a walker

When it comes time to find the right assistant, the AKC advises: “The best place to start is with recommendations. Talk to friends and other dog owners to see if they have someone to suggest. There are also special websites that can help you find a walker in your area.” A veterinarian or groomer can recommend someone nearby.

How much is it

Most dog walkers charge from 300 to 800 rubles for an hour walk. Dog walking prices vary by region. The Reveler Dog service offers services from 99 rubles in Moscow. If you live in a city where the competition is higher, you may have to pay a little more. Ask other pet owners, your local veterinarian, or the pet store clerk for an accurate estimate of the total cost of local dog walkers.

Dog walker’s choice

When you decide you need help with your pet, introduce your dog to the sitter. Any walker should be willing to get to know the dog. If you’re not comfortable taking him home, the local dog park is a great place to meet for the first time. Here the dog will be able to get to know the new person better, and you will be able to determine if they get along.

See how the walker interacts with your dog. Talk to him about his life philosophy. Ask how long has he been doing this? How many dogs a day does he usually walk? Will your dog want to walk with other dogs? Where do you usually walk animals in your area? By asking questions like these, you can get an idea of ​​how this person will take care of your pet when you’re not around.

Ask him to take his dog for a walk in the park and watch how they communicate. Trust your own intuition. Before making your final choice, talk to a few dog sitters. Trust your dog’s instincts – if he’s acting indecisive, even though he’s usually very friendly, he might be trying to tell you that this person isn’t for her.

Check the qualifications of the walker. There are special services that, as part of their programs, check the personal data of any person who wants to walk dogs. These services usually offer additional services, such as a GPS tracker that can be used to track the location of a pet during an afternoon walk. This feature allows you to receive notifications about when the dog was taken from the house, when they returned home and how the walk went.

What if a dog walking service isn’t for you?

If hiring a dog walker doesn’t work for you, there are many other ways to ensure your pet gets the outdoors it needs. Dog daycares are a great way to provide your dog with socialization as well as lots of attention and play during the work day. And while many people successfully use dog walking services, both in bustling cities and in rural areas, consider building an aviary or fenced area if you have a vacation home. There, the dog will be able to walk alone if you cannot take him for a walk.

Whether you need walking services or not is a very important question that demonstrates your concern for your pet. Whether this service is right for you or not, continue to think actively about how you can make sure your dog gets the outdoors he needs. She will thank you for it!