Question about dog walkers

I've been hearing more and more that people use dog walkers because they work long hours and need their pet to be taken out at least once during the day.

Couple of questions for those of you who use them...

How did you find the person/service you use?

How much do they charge? Is it per walk, per week, month, etc.

I'm curious because I was considering doing this myself. I LOVE animals and work mostly from home all week - Thinking it could be a great way to make extra money.

TIA

Message edited 8/21/2012 1:35:13 PM.

Re: Question about dog walkers

I don't use one, but I have seen postings for people offering the service on local buliten boards. And on Craigs list as well.

Re: Question about dog walkers

I've checked Craigslist and googled local to my area and I don't see any solid pricing.

Plus I also really want to know why people chose who they use. Referral? Picked from google? Pricing?

Message edited 8/21/2012 3:24:55 PM.

Re: Question about dog walkers

I am not on LI, but we have used a dogwalker since we got our dog.

When we lived in Manhattan I met a dogwalker in my neighborhood and asked her for references. She was phenomenal with training our puppy to walk when she was little. I think she charged us $15 for an hour walk, which is great.

Then we moved just outside the city a year ago and asked for recommendations from people in our new building that had dogs. We started using one dogwalker but they required full-time walking (5 days a week) and we wanted someone more flexible if I worked from home a few days.

We then met another dogwalker in a local dogpark. We pay this dogwalker $13 for a 1/2 hour but I think we get a discount since we buy a package of 25 walks at a time. They also walk dogs exclusively (not 3,4, 5 at a time).

So it's all about word of mouth and building a reputation in your local area! Also, you might want to check if you need insurance to have a dogwalking business.

Good luck!!

Re: Question about dog walkers

Re: Question about dog walkers

I found my dog walker through a recommendation from a friend. She charges $20/hour and walks one dog at a time. She is flexible with days and times for walks and can generally accommodate us on short notice. She is insured and bonded.

Re: Question about dog walkers

Re: Question about dog walkers

We also use a dog walker when my in laws go back down south for the winter and can no longer walk our dog. We use Love N Care recommened from this site. They would come 2-3 days a week for 45 mins just walk him and play with him $20.00 a visit.

There number is (631) 422-1904

They are great!

Question about dog walkers

I found our through word of mouth. Our walker does one dog walks and charges us $15 for 30 mins.

Question about dog walkers

I had a walker for my Rocky when I went back to work FT in the city. The walker came 2x a week, MIL watched him the other days. We paid $20/visit. They were there for 45mins. WOuld take him for a walk, play with him and give him food and water.

I used Love n Care. I used a different company before that. They were horrible and a few times they didn't show up or showed up 4 hrs late.

Re: Question about dog walkers

First one I had was a recco from an LIF member. Second one worked for my vet's office.

As with anyone you trust your loved ones and house key to, I think word of mouth is king. If you could get your business card visible in local places as well as your vet's office, I think that would be a good start. I'd be more apt to trust someone bonded and insured as well.

I was impressed by the guidelines and information I needed to supply my second dog walker, it was like a contract. She asked as many questions of me as I did her.

Where do you live? I'd check out the competition in your area by looking at Craigslist and asking who your friends and family use. Many times, a really good person will be inundated with clients and can't handle any more. If you get in with someone like that to handle the 'overflow', that could be good too.

Re: Question about dog walkers

Posted by greenfreak

First one I had was a recco from an LIF member. Second one worked for my vet's office.

As with anyone you trust your loved ones and house key to, I think word of mouth is king. If you could get your business card visible in local places as well as your vet's office, I think that would be a good start. I'd be more apt to trust someone bonded and insured as well.

I was impressed by the guidelines and information I needed to supply my second dog walker, it was like a contract. She asked as many questions of me as I did her.

Where do you live? I'd check out the competition in your area by looking at Craigslist and asking who your friends and family use. Many times, a really good person will be inundated with clients and can't handle any more. If you get in with someone like that to handle the 'overflow', that could be good too.

Re: Question about dog walkers

My dog walker charges $10 for every half hour. She comes every day m-f and if we go on vacation she comes 3x a day but also hangs out.

She approached me with a card when I was walking my dog a few years ago. Heaven sent for us.

Question about dog walkers

Make sure any walker you use has insurance. You are givign them a key to your house. They should be insured and bonded. Unless you know someone personally (friend etc) I would not use them without this.