Should I Hire a Dog Walker?

Some dogs are perfectly comfortable spending several hours at home before their person returns. Others benefit enormously from having their day broken up with exercise, stimulation and a chance to get outside.

A professional dog walker isn’t necessary for every dog. But for the right dog — and the right household — a regular walk can make life considerably better for everyone.

Start With Your Dog, Not Your Schedule

It is easy to think about dog walking primarily in terms of hours:

“I’m gone for eight hours, so my dog needs a walker.”

But time alone doesn’t tell the whole story.

Age, health, energy level, temperament and routine all matter.

A young, energetic dog may find a long day at home difficult without an opportunity for exercise. An older dog may not need vigorous activity but could benefit from a bathroom break and a comfortable walk during the day.

Some dogs simply settle happily and sleep for much of the time their people are away.

Signs a Midday Walk May Be Helpful

A dog walker may be worth considering if your dog:

• has difficulty comfortably making it through your workday without a bathroom break;
• has a lot of energy remaining when you get home;
• becomes restless or destructive when left for long periods;
• would benefit from more regular exercise than your schedule allows; or
• enjoys social interaction and stimulation during the day; or

There is also a benefit that has little to do with exercise.

Routine matters to dogs.

When walks happen at reasonably predictable times and with a familiar person, the dog knows what to expect. That consistency can be particularly valuable for dogs that are cautious, anxious or simply creatures of habit.

Private Walk or Small Group Walk?

Both can work very well.

A private walk may be better for a dog that needs individual attention, prefers not to interact closely with other dogs, has particular handling requirements, or simply enjoys walking at their own pace.

A small group walk can provide exercise along with social interaction for dogs that genuinely enjoy the company of compatible dogs.

The important word is compatible.

A good group isn’t simply several dogs that happen to need walks at the same time. Their temperaments, size, walking styles and comfort with one another should make sense together.

Bigger groups aren’t necessarily better.

Consistency Is More Important Than Many People Realize

Dogs build relationships with the people who care for them.

For that reason, there can be a meaningful difference between having a regular walker your dog knows and having an ever-changing series of people arriving at the door.

A consistent walker learns the dog’s normal behaviour.

They learn how the dog walks, what tends to excite or worry them, which neighbourhood dogs they get along with, where they like to stop, and what is unusual for that particular dog.

That familiarity is useful not only for the dog’s comfort, but also for noticing when something isn’t quite right.

What Should a Professional Dog Walker Provide?

At minimum, you should expect reliability, appropriate handling and good communication.

You should know who is entering your home and caring for your dog.

You should also have a clear understanding of what happens if your regular walker becomes unavailable, how keys or access information are managed, how emergencies are handled, and how you will know that the scheduled walk took place.

Updates and photos after walks can be particularly useful. They provide reassurance, but they also create a simple record of your dog’s care.

Professional dog walking should feel predictable rather than mysterious.

What About Puppies?

Puppies are a different proposition.

They generally need more frequent opportunities to go outside and often aren’t ready for the same type or duration of walk as an adult dog.

Their needs also change quickly as they grow.

If you are arranging daytime care for a puppy, the schedule should be based on the puppy’s age, development, vaccination status and the guidance of your veterinarian rather than simply fitting them into an adult dog’s walking routine.

And Senior Dogs?

Older dogs may still love their walks even when they no longer want — or should have — the same amount of exercise they once did.

A shorter, slower walk can provide an opportunity to move around, sniff, go to the bathroom and enjoy some company.

The objective doesn’t have to be distance.

Sometimes the best walk for a senior dog is simply one that lets them enjoy being outside comfortably and safely.

So, Should You Hire a Dog Walker?

If your dog is comfortable, getting enough exercise and attention, and your existing routine works well, there may be no reason to change it.

But if long stretches alone are making it difficult to meet your dog’s needs consistently, a good dog walker can provide much more than a bathroom break.

They can provide exercise, stimulation, routine, observation and companionship during a part of the day when you can’t be there.

The goal isn’t to walk a dog simply because the clock says it’s time.

The goal is to build a daily routine that works for the dog and the people who care for them.