We’ve learned a lot about what helps dog walkers get 5-star reviews. Naturally, we want to share their tips with you. In a nutshell, here are three things 5-star dog walkers have in common. One hint: a great photo says a 1,000 words!
1.) They communicate with the owner right away
Dog: K.C. Walker: Elizabeth K.
- Once you accept a walk, be sure to reach out to the owner ASAP to see if they have any questions for you. This shows that you’re a professional and communicative caregiver, and it will help them know that their dog is in good hands.
- When you’re heading to the owner’s home to walk their dog, send them a message to let them know you’re on the way. Whether or not they’re home, the owner will appreciate knowing their dog’s getting the care they need.
- If the walk will start a few minutes before or after the scheduled time, give the owner a heads up before you arrive. (Note: All walks should start within 15 min of the scheduled start time.)
2.) They arrive on time and are prepared
Dog: Murphy. Walker: Emily R.
- You should always plan ahead so you can start your walk on time. Both your Rover dog and the owner are anxiously waiting for the walk to start! Don’t leave them hanging.
- If you have multiple walks in one day, be sure to plan your walks carefully so you have plenty of travel time in between walks. As long as you can start the walk within 15 min of the start time and the owner is aware of when you’ll arrive, you can book walks that overlap. Just be sure to notify the owner of your arrival time well in advance.
- Make sure you’ve read all details on a walk request before accepting, including the date/time of the walk, the walk type, and the info on the dog. For recurring walks—as a good rule of thumb—you should be available for a 90-day commitment. Don’t forget that once you accept the walk, you’ve committed to following through.
- Don’t forget to carry extra poop bags on you in case the owner forgets or is out.
3.) They create amazing Rover Cards
- Leave a friendly and detailed note for the owner after the walk is over. Owners love reading about their dog’s walk, so make sure you spend some time writing a thoughtful recap. Even if the owner is there at the end of the walk, your Rover Card should still have a note.
- Photos are a hit! As you can see from the photos we’ve included, owners love clear (not blurry) photos of their dog having a blast. And if you can snap a pic with an interesting background, that’s even better—but remember, safety first!
Bringing it all together
To recap: 5-star dog walkers reach out to the owner when they accept a walk and head to their home. They arrive on time—which means they only accept walks they can commit to. They take high-quality photos and leave a detailed note with each Rover Card. And, of course, they always have extra poop bags.
If you’re already doing all of these things, well done! If not, we recommend trying them out to give your clients a 5-star experience. In the meantime, if you have questions, need support, or want to offer feedback, please don’t hesitate to text our team at 206-207-8863. We’re here for you every step of the way.
