Best Questions to Ask a Dog Walker Before Hiring

Why Asking the Right Questions Matters

Hiring a dog walker means trusting someone with your home, your keys, and your pet. It is one of the most personal services you can outsource, yet many pet owners skip the interview entirely and book based on price and proximity alone.

Asking the right questions before you hire does two things: it helps you identify experienced, responsible walkers, and it signals to the walker that you are a thoughtful owner who takes their dog's care seriously. Good walkers actually appreciate being asked questions, because it shows you value the service.

Here are 15+ questions to ask, organized by category, along with what good and bad answers look like for each.

Experience and Credentials

1. How long have you been walking dogs professionally?

Experience matters, but it is not everything. A walker with two years of consistent experience and strong reviews can be just as good as someone with ten years. What you are looking for is a track record of reliability.

• Good answer: Specific timeframe with context. "I have been walking dogs for three years. I currently walk 8-10 dogs regularly throughout the week."
• Red flag: Vague or evasive. "I have always loved dogs" without any concrete details.

2. Do you have experience with my dog's breed or size?

A walker who regularly handles 80-pound labs may not be prepared for a reactive 15-pound terrier, and vice versa. Breed and size experience matter because different dogs have very different walking needs, energy levels, and behavioral tendencies.

• Good answer: They can name specific breeds they walk regularly and describe how they adjust their approach.
• Red flag: "All dogs are the same" or they seem unfamiliar with your breed's traits.

3. Do you have pet first aid certification?

Pet first aid certification is not legally required for dog walkers, but it demonstrates professionalism and preparedness. Courses cover recognizing choking, heatstroke, allergic reactions, and basic wound care.

• Good answer: "Yes, I completed a pet first aid course through [provider]. I renew it every two years."
• Acceptable answer: "I do not have formal certification, but I have researched common emergencies and know where the nearest emergency vet is."

4. Do you carry liability insurance?

Liability insurance protects both you and the walker if your dog is injured, injures someone, or causes property damage during a walk. Many professional walkers carry their own policy. This is one of the strongest indicators that a walker takes their work seriously.

• Good answer: "Yes, I carry liability insurance through [provider] that covers incidents during walks."
• Red flag: They are dismissive of the question or have clearly never considered it.

Walk Logistics

5. What does a typical walk look like?

This open-ended question reveals a lot about a walker's approach. You want to hear about their routine: how they greet the dog, where they walk, how they handle on-leash behavior, and what happens at the end of the walk.

• Good answer: A detailed description showing they have a consistent routine. "I arrive, let your dog greet me, leash up, walk for 30 minutes in [area], give fresh water when we get back, and lock up. I send you a photo and a quick update afterward."
• Red flag: "I just take them out for a walk." No detail or structure.

6. Do you walk multiple dogs at the same time?

Some walkers take multiple dogs from different households on the same walk. This is not inherently bad, but you should know about it. Group walks are typically cheaper, but your dog gets less individual attention. Solo walks cost more but offer focused one-on-one time.

• Good answer: They are transparent about whether they do group or solo walks, how many dogs they walk at once (most responsible walkers cap at 3-4), and how they ensure each dog's safety.
• Red flag: They are evasive about the number of dogs or seem to take on more than they can safely handle.

7. What route do you typically take?

Understanding where your dog will be walked matters. Busy roads, areas without sidewalks, or locations frequented by off-leash dogs all present different risk levels. A good walker chooses routes based on the dog's temperament and energy level.

8. How do you handle leash reactivity or pulling?

If your dog has any leash-related challenges, this question is essential. You want a walker who has a plan for managing reactive behavior rather than someone who will just muscle through it or avoid the issue.

• Good answer: They describe specific techniques like creating distance, redirecting attention, or using consistent commands. They ask about your dog's triggers.
• Red flag: "I just hold on tight" or "I have never had that problem."

Emergency Preparedness

9. What would you do if my dog got off-leash?

Escapes happen. A responsible walker has a plan for this scenario and takes precautions to prevent it. You want to hear about prevention measures (double-checking collar fit, secure leash clips) and a response plan.

• Good answer: "I always check the collar and leash before we leave. If a dog gets loose, I stay calm, do not chase, and use recall commands or treats. I would contact you immediately and, if needed, call animal control for help."
• Red flag: They have clearly never thought about it.

10. What would you do if my dog became sick or injured during a walk?

This is one of the most important questions you can ask. The answer tells you how the walker handles high-pressure situations and whether they have prepared for the unexpected.

• Good answer: "I would assess the situation, contact you immediately, and take your dog to the nearest vet if it was urgent. I keep the emergency vet's address in my phone for every dog I walk."
• Red flag: "That has never happened" without any further plan.

11. Do you carry any supplies on walks?

A prepared walker carries waste bags, water, treats, and their phone at minimum. Some also carry a basic first aid kit, a spare leash, and a flashlight for early morning or evening walks.

Communication

12. Will you send updates during or after each walk?

Regular updates give you peace of mind and help you stay connected to your dog's daily routine. Most pet owners prefer at least a photo and a brief message after each walk.

• Good answer: "I send a photo and a short update after every walk. If anything unusual happens, I will message you right away."
• Red flag: "You can just check in with me whenever." This signals that proactive communication is not part of their routine.

13. What is the best way to reach you, and how quickly do you typically respond?

You need to know how to get in touch with your walker, especially for schedule changes or urgent matters. Text, app messaging, and phone are all common. What matters is consistency and responsiveness.

Pricing and Policies

14. What do you charge, and what is included?

Make sure you understand exactly what is included in the quoted price. A 30-minute walk that includes fresh water, a potty break, and a photo update is a different value than a 30-minute walk with no extras. Also ask about additional fees for holidays, last-minute bookings, or extra dogs.

15. What is your cancellation policy?

Life happens, and you will occasionally need to cancel a walk. Understanding the cancellation policy upfront prevents awkward conversations later. Most walkers ask for 24 hours notice for a full refund and charge a partial or full fee for same-day cancellations.

16. Do you offer discounts for recurring bookings?

If you need regular walks (3-5 times per week), ask about package pricing. Many walkers offer a 10-15% discount for consistent recurring clients because guaranteed income is valuable to them.

Bonus: Questions About Their Setup

17. How do you access my home?

Most walkers need a key, lockbox code, or smart lock access to let themselves in and out. Discuss how key exchange works, how they secure your home after each visit, and what happens to your key when you end the arrangement.

18. How many clients do you take per day?

This tells you how stretched their schedule is. A walker who handles 15 dogs a day may be rushing from appointment to appointment, while someone with 6-8 walks per day likely has more time and energy for each dog.

Find a Dog Walker on HeyDog

HeyDog is a free pet care directory where you can browse local dog walkers, read reviews from other pet owners, and message walkers directly. No platform fees on bookings. Your walker keeps what they earn, and you pay the listed price.

Sign up free at heydog.io to find pet care providers in your city.

This article is for general informational purposes. Always conduct your own evaluation when hiring a dog walker. Last updated February 2026.