Hiring a Professional Walker: What to Ask and How to Vet Services

Hiring a dog walker is a big help—but finding the right person takes a little homework. The right walker keeps your dog safe, follows your routines, and communicates clearly. This guide gives a practical interview checklist, warning signs to watch for, a short trial-walk protocol, and a printable one-page handoff sheet you can use the next time someone else walks your dog.

Why vetting matters

A good walker does more than exercise your dog. They manage safety, spot health changes, reinforce training, and represent you in the neighborhood. Investing a little time up front saves headaches and helps your dog build a consistent routine.

Interview checklist — questions to ask every candidate

Use these to guide a phone screen or an in-person conversation.

Experience & background

• How long have you been walking dogs professionally?

• Do you have references from current clients? (Ask for phone numbers or emails.)

• What breeds/sizes do you walk most often?

Training philosophy & handling

• How do you handle reactive or leashed dogs?

• What’s your approach to recall, loose-leash walking, and basic cues?

• Are you comfortable following owner-specific routines (feeding, medication, calming cues)?

Safety & emergency procedures

• Are you CPR/first-aid trained for pets? If yes, which program and when was it completed?

• What steps do you take if a dog is injured or becomes ill on a walk?

• Do you carry a first-aid kit and phone at all times?

Logistics

• What are your hours and availability? How do you handle cancellations?

• Do you walk dogs one-on-one, or in small groups? If groups, what is the maximum ratio?

• What route options do you use and how do you choose them?

Insurance & vetting

• Are you insured and bonded? Can you provide proof?

• Do you run background checks on staff (if part of a company)?

• What identification do you carry while working (uniform, badge, photo ID)?

Communication

• How will you update me after walks (text, app, photo, report card)?

• How quickly will you respond to urgent messages?

Red flags — when to move on

• No references or refusal to provide them.

• Vague answers about emergency procedures or no first-aid training.

• Walking too many dogs at once (check local standards; more than 4–6 dogs may be risky).

• No insurance or inability to show proof.

• Overly casual about equipment (e.g., no spare leash, no means to contain a loose dog).

• Refusal to follow your basic instructions about gear or safety.

Trial-walk protocol (how to test a walker safely)

1. Meet-and-greet at home (15–20 minutes): Watch how they interact with your dog. Do they greet calmly? Do they ask clear questions?

2. Short supervised walk (10–15 minutes): Walk together for one outing. Observe leash handling, situational awareness (traffic, other dogs), and how they cue or redirect your dog.

3. Debrief: Ask the walker what they observed and how they handled any small issues. Did they follow your instructions?

4. Follow-up check: After a few paid walks, ask for a reference check or a short performance review. Small adjustments early prevent bigger problems later.

How to leave clear gear & handling instructions

Make it simple for your walker to follow your routines and keep your dog safe.

• Label gear clearly (harness, leash, extras).

• Leave a designated “walking station” with harness, leash, treats, waste bags, towel, and an emergency contact card.

• Provide a one-page handoff sheet (template below) with essentials: vet contact, medical needs, preferred routes, and off-limit areas.

• Show them where keys are, how to secure the home, and any building access codes.

Printable one-page handoff sheet (copy & paste to a document and print)

DOG WALKER HANDOFF SHEET

Dog name: ____________________ | Owner: ____________________
Phone (owner): ____________________ | Emergency contact: ____________________
Vet name & phone: ____________________

Medical / behavior notes

• Medications (name/dose/times): _______________________________________

• Allergies / sensitive areas: _______________________________________

• Reactivity notes (dogs/people/bikes): _______________________________________

• Any health limits (no stairs, short walks only): _______________________________________

Daily routine & handling

• Usual walk duration: _______ minutes

• Preferred leash/harness: ____________________ (location)

• Clip used for training/normal walks: front / back / both

• “Leave it” cue / recall cue: ____________________

• Treat preferences & how to reward (small/tiny): ____________________

Safety & route

• Typical route(s) to use: ____________________

• Off-limits areas: ____________________

• Dog parks: allowed? yes / no | Dog runs: allowed? yes / no

• Emergency vet address: ____________________

Home access & security

• Key location / lockbox code: ____________________

• Alarm? yes / no | Disarm instructions: ____________________

• Where to leave used bags / towel: ____________________

After-walk report (to be filled by walker)

• Time out / time back: ______ / ______

• Behavior notes: _______________________________________

• Any incidents or vet visits? yes / no — details: _______________________________________

Walker name & signature: ____________________ | Date: //____

Leaving consistent gear (why it helps)

Using the same harness and leash every time reduces confusion and keeps handling predictable. A harness you’ve adjusted to fit your dog closely—like a secure quick-fit model—helps walkers put gear on quickly and consistently. 

Final thought

A good walker is a partner. Take the time to interview, test, and provide clear instructions. The effort pays off in safer walks, better behavior, and peace of mind. Use the handoff sheet above to make transitions smooth—and if you ever need additional resources on harness fit or leash handling, fidapet.com has practical guides you can share with your walker.