Choosing a Dog Walker in Toronto: 10 Questions Every Pet Owner Should Ask

Choosing someone to walk and care for your dog involves a lot of trust.

You’re handing over an animal you love to someone who may be walking them near traffic, other dogs, cyclists, squirrels and all the other distractions that come with life in Toronto.

A good dog walker should be comfortable answering questions about how they work, how they handle dogs and what happens when things don’t go according to plan.

Here are 10 questions worth asking.

1. How much experience do you have walking dogs?

Being comfortable around dogs is not quite the same thing as being experienced at walking them.

Dogs can pull, lunge, become frightened, get overexcited or react unexpectedly to another dog, person or situation. An experienced walker should be able to read canine body language, anticipate problems and maintain control without turning every walk into a tug-of-war.

Ask how long they’ve been professionally walking dogs and what kinds of dogs they normally work with.

2. Will my dog have the same walker?

Consistency can make a significant difference.

Having the same person arrive each day allows your walker to become familiar with your dog’s personality, normal behaviour, walking pace, favourite routes and any little quirks that make your dog unique.

3. Do you provide a Meet & Greet before the first walk?

A Meet & Greet gives you an opportunity to introduce your dog, explain their routine and see how the prospective walker interacts with them.

It’s also the time to discuss things such as leash behaviour, commands, preferred routes, feeding, medications, access to your home and anything your dog is nervous or reactive around.

Most importantly, it gives everyone a chance to become a little more familiar before the first actual walk.

A good Meet & Greet should leave you feeling more comfortable about handing over the leash.

4. Will my dog be walked privately or in a group?

There isn’t one correct answer for every dog.

Some dogs thrive in a carefully selected small group. Others are happier and safer walking one-on-one.

What matters is understanding exactly what type of walk you’re purchasing.

If group walks are offered, ask:

• how many dogs are walked together
• how dogs are matched
• whether dogs are transported in a vehicle
• how the walker manages the group around traffic and other dogs
• what happens if one dog isn’t a good fit

A “group walk” involving three compatible dogs is quite different from one involving eight or ten.

5. How long will my dog actually be walking?

This is worth asking more carefully than it might seem.

If a service advertises a “one-hour walk,” find out whether that means one hour walking or whether transportation, pickups and drop-offs are included within that time.

Your dog may enjoy travelling with friends, but it’s helpful to know exactly how much exercise and outdoor time you’re paying for.

For private walks, ask when the clock starts and stops.

6. How do you handle difficult or unexpected situations?

Dogs occasionally have opinions of their own.

Ask how the walker handles pulling, barking, reactivity, extreme weather or any situations you have already encountered with your own dog.

You’re not looking for someone who claims nothing ever goes wrong.

You’re looking for someone who can explain calmly and sensibly what they do when something does.

7. Will I receive an update after every walk?

You shouldn’t have to wonder whether your dog was walked.

Ask whether the walker provides an update after each visit and whether photographs are included.

A useful update might tell you where they went, whether or not there was a BM, and if anything unusual happened.

8. What happens if my regular walker is unavailable?

People get sick. Cars break down. Emergencies happen.

Ask what happens if the person who normally walks your dog suddenly can’t make it.

If you’re hiring an individual walker, ask what backup arrangements they have.

If you’re hiring a dog-walking company, ask whether another qualified team member can step in and how you would be informed.

Dependable pet care includes having a plan for the occasional day when the original plan falls apart.

9. How will you access and secure my home?

Discuss keys, condominium access, alarm systems, lockboxes and any other entry arrangements before service begins.

You should understand who has access to your key, how it is stored and what happens if your regular walker is unexpectedly unavailable.

This is another reason a proper Meet & Greet is useful before the first scheduled walk.

10. Are you insured?

Ask.

A professional dog walker or pet-care company should be able to explain what insurance they carry and answer reasonable questions about how the business operates.

Insurance doesn’t tell you whether someone will be great with your dog, but it is one indication that dog walking is being treated as a professional responsibility rather than simply a casual side job.

Bonus Question — Does this walker seem like the right person for my dog?

Credentials and procedures matter.

So does the relationship.

Watch how the walker interacts with your dog during the Meet & Greet. Are they patient? Do they pay attention to your dog’s signals? Do they ask questions? Do they seem interested in your dog’s personality, routines and behaviour?

And watch your dog too.

Not every dog instantly falls in love with a new person, but the interaction can tell you quite a bit.

The Right Dog Walker Should Make Your Life Easier

Price and availability matter, but they shouldn’t be the only things you consider.

A good dog walker provides exercise and stimulation for your dog, but they also provide something valuable to you: reliability.

Look for experience, sensible group sizes, clear communication, consistent walkers, reasonable safety procedures and someone who genuinely seems interested in getting to know your dog.