- This post contains affiliate links. Read more here.
- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Choosing the right dog walker is a big decision. After all, you’re trusting a stranger with the care of your best friend. You want someone who can keep your pup healthy, happy, and well-exercised, whether they’re a shy couch potato or an enthusiastic squirrel chaser.
Online dog walker reviews are a great way to narrow down your search. But finding your pup’s perfect match can feel overwhelming, especially if you don’t know what to look for.
“The best reviews show, don’t just tell,” says Dr. Sabrina Kong, veterinarian and head of content at We Love Doodles. With her help, we’ve compiled our top tips on using dog walker reviews to find your pup’s perfect fit.
1. Look for Specificity and Detail
A lot of five-star reviews are nice, but to find a good fit for your pup, you need to know why—in full paragraph detail. “Don’t just skim the 5-stars,” says Ben Doyle, dog lover and founder of the UK pet care brand Dirty Bertie. “Dig into why they rated them so highly.”
Looking at detailed reviews gives you deeper insight into a dog walker’s reliability, trustworthiness, and skill in handling different situations.
Consider expanding your scope to include reviews for low and mid-range ratings, too, as they can help provide a more complete picture of the walker’s abilities and experience.
2. Scan for Experience with Dogs Like Yours
Consider your pup’s particular needs, whether that’s someone experienced with puppies still learning their leash manners or skilled in working with anxious dogs. Then target the reviews that mention similar situations.
“When reading reviews, control+f or command+f on your keyboard is your best friend,” Doyle advises. This quick search function lets you jump straight to keywords—like “puppy” or “reactive”—that match your dog’s specific needs.
Puppies
“For puppies, prioritize reviews mentioning patience with potty training, bite inhibition coaching, and structured socialization,” recommends Dr. Kong. “Puppies thrive with walkers who treat walks as training opportunities, not just exercise.”
She adds that puppies need a dog walker who knows how to handle short attention spans and understands how vulnerable and impressionable puppies are. She recommends looking for reviews that show the walker:
- uses positive reinforcement training methods
- understands the importance of gradually building leash skills
- prioritizes a puppy’s safety and avoids high-dog areas until vaccines are completed
Reactive dogs
“Reviews for reactive dogs must highlight experience with triggers and proactive management,” says Dr. Kong, adding, “Confirm the walker avoids punishment and understands desensitization techniques.”
Along with searching for “reactive dogs” in the reviews, look for instances where the dog walker:
- was able to redirect the dog before a reaction
- used treats to create distance from triggers
- understood canine body language
Pullers
If your dog’s a puller, it’s natural to look for a dog walker who has the physical capabilities to handle them. But Dr. Kong notes that technique is more important than strength. “Pullers benefit from walkers who frame walks as training sessions, not endurance tests,” she explains. “Look for mentions of teaching commands to reduce tension or switching to equipment like a front-clip harness.”
She also recommends:
- avoiding dog walkers who rely on brute force
- steering clear of walkers who use aversive tools like shock collars
- choosing someone who can keep up your training techniques to curb your pup’s pulling
Guillermo Spelucin Runciman via iStock
Anxious dogs
“Anxious dogs can be a bit more complicated, and you should match the walker’s approach to the specific type of anxiety,” Dr. Kong says. “For instance, reviews for a shy dog should describe a walker who builds trust gradually. For dogs with separation anxiety, look for rituals that reduce stress.”
Use reviews to look for a walker who:
- understands a dog’s subtle calming signals
- has the patience to move slowly and let the dog get comfortable before leashing them
- has experience working with pups with separation anxiety
- recognizes anxious behaviors and can make adjustments to walks if needed (like heading inside for a play session instead)
Senior pups
Senior dogs are often less agile than their young counterparts—but that doesn’t mean they don’t still benefit from a good walk. “For seniors, reviews must highlight mobility awareness and health monitoring. Look for walkers who prioritize safety over distance and manage hydration,” says Dr. Kong. “Avoid any reviews that mention a walker ignored a senior dog’s physical limitations.”
She recommends looking for phrases that show attentiveness to a senior dog’s needs, like:
- being aware of stiffness and other signs of pain
- adjusting the pace for arthritis and other mobility issues
- incorporating mental enrichment activities that gently work a senior’s body and brain
You might also consider looking for a dog walker who is comfortable switching to drop-in visits for a gentle game of fetch and some pets on the days when your senior pup isn’t up for an outing.
Dogs with health conditions
“If your dog has a health condition, it’s imperative to seek reviews confirming protocol adherence for conditions like diabetes, epilepsy, or heart disease,” recommends Dr. Kong. She also recommends looking for reviews that mention specific details about how the walker took action when a dog’s health condition presented itself.
Phrases that show a dog walker’s expertise in this area include things like:
- training in pet first aid and CPR
- recognizing pre-seizure pacing
- tracking respiratory rate
3. Read for Impact on the Dog
The goal of hiring a dog walker is simple: to make your dog’s day better. As you do your research, pay close attention to how pet parents say their dogs came back from their walks. Are they hyped? Happy? Relaxed? Stressed? Positive changes in behavior or mood are often the best indicators that a walker is an excellent match for your pup.
When reading dog walker reviews, look for green flags like mentions of doggy smiles and happy tail wags, calmer behavior at home, or improved leash manners. These details provide a window into the walker’s real impact—not just their punctuality or professionalism, but how they connect with and care for the dogs in their charge.
4. Consider Reliability and Punctuality
Trusting someone with your pup isn’t easy. As you scan dog walker reviews, look for consistent mentions of on-time arrivals, dependable scheduling, and clear communication. A walker who shows up on time helps keep your dog’s routine stable, a key factor in their comfort and well-being.
Look for stories from other pet parents about how the walker handled last-minute changes or unexpected weather. These reviews can point to a dog walker’s professionalism and dependability.
Liudmila Chernetska via iStock
5. Look for How a Walker Handles Problems When They Come Up
Even the most well-prepared dog walker will run into occasional problems on their walks. Accidents and emergencies do happen, and a dog walker can’t control every variable around them. The key is thoughtfully avoiding problems when possible—and responding appropriately when necessary.
Look for reviews that mention issues that arose during a walk, such as sudden health incidents, paw sensitivities, injuries, problems with other dogs and people, or even a dog having a bad day. Consider the rating given, the description of how the situation was handled, and whether you’re comfortable with both the solution and the outcome of the incident.
6. Check for Red Flags
Just about anyone can pop on a leash and call themselves a dog walker, but that doesn’t mean they have the skills and knowledge necessary to do it safely and effectively. As you’re reading through dog walker reviews, here are some red flags to look for:
- Use of force or violence
- Frequent injuries or overexertion
- Tardiness or missing appointments
- Lack of communicationhttps://www.rover.com/blog/tips-choosing-dog-walker/
- Defensive responses to negative reviews
- Lots of positive reviews with little detail (a sign that they could be fake reviews)
Other dog walker red flags include:
- a lack of certifications and training
- coming to walk your dog in inappropriate clothing or footwear
- being unprepared and unequipped for a walk
- refusing to provide references
- not carrying dog walker insurance
7. Check Your Impression With a Meet & Greet
Reviews are incredibly helpful in finding the right dog walker for your pup, but they only tell part of the story. It’s just as important to meet a potential dog walker before booking them.
Meet and greets allow you (and your dog) to connect with a potential dog walker in person. You can see how they act around your pet, how your dog responds, and how well-prepared and confident they are—all before you hand them a key to your house.
Meet and greets also give you a chance to ask any lingering questions, like how you can make sure your home and dog are prepped—ensuring that you have all the information you need to feel comfortable and confident in sending your dog out into the world in their care.
