Dog Walking Takoma Park

“Sandi was able to step in for me in an emergency situation and I could not have been more grateful. It’s clear that Sandi is an experienced dog walker in the area and knows just where to take the dogs so they can play and have fun. Thank you Sandi!”

Bridget C.

“Sam was available last minute for a week of daily walks for our labradoodle. Would highly recommend!”

Kathy J.

About: I'm a full-time professional with fairly flexible work hours. I have two dogs, a happy, healthy 12 yr old Plott-hound mix, Ollie, and a happy, energetic and loving 2 yr old husky-shepherd mix, Bella., I've watched and cared for dozens of other dogs (friends, family, etc.) over the last 15 years and am generally known as a bit of a 'dog whisperer'. I absolutely love dogs and look forward to taking exceptional care of your pet when you need to leave them in somebody else's care. Ollie, Bella, and I walk for ~4 miles every day around the neighborhood, go to dog friendly parks/fields in my neighborhood, and walks in the woods where they can run off leash. As highlighted in the pictures, Ollie and Bella readily get along with a wide variety of dogs as a walking buddy, a sleeping buddy, or a running-around-a-field buddy. If you leave your dog with us, your dog will have new canine friends, get lots of fun neighborhood walks, and have friends to cuddle up with on the couch / in their dog bed after a long-day of walking, eating, and sleeping :). I typically do two long walks each day (one between ~7-9 AM, the other sometime between 5-7 PM). Will also do a short mid-day walk and/or a short pre-bedtime walk as needed! While Ollie and Bella were crate trained as puppies, at this point they roams freely throughout the house. That said, I'm happy to host crate-trained dogs, and more than comfortable allowing your (trained!) dog to roam free throughout my home much like my pups.

“I can tell Adi is perfect with Timothy. They really hit it off. Adi is a keeper!”

Fran S.

“Victor was great! We needed a Rover at the last minute during the holiday season and he was available. He met up with us the same day to go over everything and communicated the entire time we were out of town. We came back to a very happy dog! We can’t thank him enough and will definitely try to book again if he’s available.”

Aminah B.

About: I used to be a manager at a dog shelter which I absolutely loved before moving to a new state. I’ve also grown up on a farm and handled all types of pets from goats, pigs, cows to dogs, cats, hamsters, and fish. I believe every animal deserves to be treated as family not just a pet. I am always home until 3pm when I leave for work, but when I am not home my partner is home. Someone will always be there to take care of your furry or scaly family and will never be left without someone even for a second. They will be welcomed with love, play, and kindness in my home. We will ensure nothing is around that will harm the animal whether it is cables, shoes, food, etc. we will always be around to ensure your pet is taken care of and in good health.

About: I grew up with 2 big dogs in my house and would dog sit for friends families. Now I dog sit for many of my coworkers who trust me not only in our day job but also with their best friend, their pet. I work from home four days a week and have the flexibility to step away from my computer when need be. We end on Fridays by 3 PM and Tuesday-Thursday I am available at lunch as well as after 4 PM. I will always make sure your dog is safely on leash and that I am in control. Unless specifically stated I will make sure that your dog does not get into unsafe situations whether with people or other dogs who are out when we are walking.

About: Hi! I'm Girsea! I am a work from home (WFH) dog mom to Maya, a silly and calm rescue from Texas. I have been dog and cat sitting for over 7 years. My house is roomy with three floors and a fenced yard where I love playing fetch with Maya. I also live within a quiet residential area where I take Maya around to explore in the mornings and evenings. I hope I get to do the same with your pet too! Whether it is short or long walks, learning new tricks, going on runs, or even a nice bath, I’m happy to provide love and care for your pet. I also have experience with caring for dogs that need special attention, patience or medication, like senior or anxious dogs. I'm so so excited to meet you and your pet! I am working from home everyday and I take frequent breaks so I will have plenty of time to care for and play with your puppy *My backyard is completely enclosed. *I am excellent at calmly redirecting and maintaining control of shy and reactive dogs. *Throughout the day I play instrumental jazz and natural soundscapes while I work, and Maya loves this! My house gets lots of natural sunlight and has lots of soft and cozy spaces for Maya, and your dog, to take a nap.

About: I am excited to help take care of your fur baby! I am available for dog walks and drop-in visits. I have been a dog lover all my life. I know many of the dogs in the neighborhood and often find dogs running to me in excitement wanting to meet me. Caring for dogs has always brought be a lot of joy! I grew up with a yellow Labrador retriever as a kid. As an adult, once I was able to afford a dog, my then boyfriend (now husband) and I adopted our dog Hazel, a sweet 50 pound foxhound, from a local rescue organization. I have worked hard to train her well. She has had several medical issues over the years, so I have learned how to effectively handle medications, vet visits, post-op care, and recovery. While I am new to Rover, I have helped care for dogs for years for other family members and friends. I have helped care for many different kinds of dogs from a tiny Maltepoo to a large 70 pound mixed breed dog. I have dog sat regularly for my parents’ beagle, a friend’s boxer mix, and my mother in-law’s miniature German spitz that looks a bit like a Pomeranian. I have also walked many other kinds of dogs including a miniature dachshund and a large mixed breed dog that was mostly lab, pit bull, and husky. Most of the dogs I have cared for are under 50 pounds, and given my size, I am most comfortable with small and medium size dogs unless they are already very good on a leash and not reactive outside. I am very comfortable helping with dog walks, meal time, medications if needed so long as instructions are clear, and play time. Until mid-August, I have lots of availability for dog walks and drop-in care during the week and on weekends except for a couple weekends when I will be traveling. After August 16, I will have more limited availability but generally be available for dog walks or drop-ins on Saturday afternoons and/or Sundays. I always make a point of coming prepared and learning about the dog ahead of time to make sure I know what he or she needs and likes. I talk to the owner to get a sense of what the dog can and cannot eat, what if any medication they take and the dosage, how they interact with other dogs, how they interact with other animals, how they interact with people, and what they do and don’t like. Dogs have personalities like we do, so it’s important to know this ahead of time as best as possible to avoid putting dogs in uncomfortable or potentially dangerous situations. For example, some dogs are very social with other dogs, love daycare or dog parks, and just love to play. Others, like my dog, absolutely hate dog parks and are often skittish around other dogs they don’t know, but love meeting people. Still others may be a bit reactive to certain triggers like certain sounds or smells or other animals that don’t know. The more I learn in advance, the better. It is very important to take the time to build trust with pets and to make them feel safe and loved. I always let a new dog approach me first and pay close attention to their body language. I try to meet them on their level as well. Once I gain their trust, which usually comes fairly quickly, then I can safely play with them and walk them. When out on a walk, I never walk dogs off leash unless in a fully fenced yard or park. The only exception to this is a dog I own and know is trained very well and has exceptional recall even in highly distracting environments. Since our area is fairly urban with lots of distractions, cars, bikes, and other animals, I generally do not think it is safe for a dog to be off leash outside. I also prefer to bring treats on walks and have a mix of training treats and high value treats to help condition the dog to good behavior and keep them focused if there is a risky distraction they need to avoid such as a reactive dog or a stray cat. I clicker trained my dog and find this to be pretty effective. However, I follow the lead of the owner with their training methods and the terms they use for certain commands to make sure the dog feels confident and safe. It is worth noting though that I do not and will not use coercive or negative reinforcement methods such as prong or shock collars, hitting, or yelling at a dog. These methods are ineffective, cruel to the dog, and in many cases they actually worsen stress, aggression, and reactivity in dogs. When on a walk I am very cognizant of hazards to avoid like chicken bones, pesticides on lawns, glass, traffic, animals the dog may chase, etc. I generally do not read or text on my phone while walking so I can focus on the dog and making sure both of us are safe. This is especially the case for larger dogs, since I am only 5 feet tall. Ultimately, when I am caring for a dog as a dog walker or dropping in for a visit, that is the dog’s time. I get a sense of what they like and follow their lead so they enjoy their time. Hounds often like nothing better than to sniff everything outside. Dachshunds usually love to run and make noise. Retrievers often can play fetch for hours. Shepherds and herding breads like border collies sometimes like nothing more than to show off how smart and athletic they are or to herd a group.

About: I have cared for pets since I was a child. We've had our own fur babies and also fostered many rescues from the street. I did this especially when we lived in Morocco and Jordan, where many stray animals could be found lost in the streets. Over these years I have learned to understand animals and notice their personality traits and quirks. I love them all! I work from home so my schedule is very flexible. I am often also available on short notice. I am willing to keep pets at my home or come to yours. I have a cat but she is very friendly and easy going with dogs. If a dog or cat I am caring for needs some space or if they don't get along I keep my cat upstairs, and put up a baby gate if needed.

About: I’ve been pet sitting in DC and Maryland for the past 5 years and loving every minute! I’ve worked with everything from medically complex kitties to lap cats to scaredy cats, wheel-chair assisted dogs, older dogs who need a slower pace, reactive dogs who need patience, and happy-go-lucky pups. Outside of pet sitting, I have 2 cats of my own, Clover and Shiro, and a crested gecko, Draco, so animals are a big part of my life! I’m comfortable following detailed routines, giving meds if needed, advocating for your pet’s boundaries on walks, and adjusting to whatever your pet needs to feel safe and comfortable. I work from home and have a very flexible schedule so let me know when works best for you! Feel free to shoot me a message if your plans change or you need to move things around. I know trusting someone with your pet and your home is a big deal. During every visit, I keep an eye out for anything unusual, like changes in appetite or behavior, and I'll send plenty of photos and updates so you know how they're doing.

“Jonathan was great with our recently adopted dog that gave him a hard time. He was calm, patient and adapted to the situation as needed, communicating well along the way.”

Abigail S.

“We are just thrilled with the care Leo's reliability, kindness, and the care he shows for our dog. I happened to be home when he came by yesterday, and saw that he removed his shoes when he came in. Our family doesn't wear shoes in the house and we have a tray next to the door for shoes, but we never ask or expect guests to remove theirs. Leo is so considerate and observant that he did this on his own. I think this speaks volumes about him. We feel very fortunate to have him caring for Jake.”

Donna G.

“Brendan is the best! So patient with our boy!”

Pamela D.

About: I’ve trained and taken care of dogs since I was 15(now 32). Have experience with puppy and senior as well as medical needs. Apollo is my 2.5 year old lab who is incredibly friendly to people and animals. Great walking partner! Please let me know if your dog is not good with other dogs. I currently work full time remotely. I’m mostly available on the weekends and week days after 4pm but can sneak out for lunch visits and walks. With experience and genuine care, I offer a safe, structured, and dependable environment where your pets can relax, play, and feel completely at home as well as a great play partner with Apollo.

About: I grew up with two cats, a dog, and would walk dogs in the neighborhood I grew up. I’ve trained dogs to sit, stay, speak, and other basic skills. I can drop by any time as long as I have notice! External commitments are flexible. Weekends are when I am mostly available at this time. I believe in leaving things better than you found them, and I love taking care of all living beings. I show that same amount of care in others’ homes.

“Reliable, great communication, and follows instructions!”

Elizabeth M.

“Joseph M was great with Diego and Daisy. He has a great manner with the dogs. He was reliable and sent regular, detailed updates. We will use him again in a heartbeat.”

Ellen B.

“Always so happy to have Josh help us with the animal kingdom!”

Vi N.

About: Hi, I'm a lifelong animal lover with hands-on experience caring for a wide variety of animals throughout my life. Growing up surrounded by pets taught me the importance of patience, responsibility, and understanding each animal's unique personality and needs. Today, I work in healthcare, where compassion, attentiveness, and trust are at the core of everything I do. I bring those same qualities to every dog I care for, ensuring they receive safe, reliable, and loving attention while you're away. Whether your pup needs an energetic walk, extra companionship, or a caring friend to keep them active and happy, you can count on me to treat them like family. Dog walking is a regular part of my weekly schedule, and I prioritize providing dependable, consistent care for every dog. I carefully plan my day to accommodate scheduled walks, ensuring each pet receives appropriate exercise, attention, and outdoor time based on their individual needs. I maintain clear communication with pet owners, arrive on time, and provide updates when requested. My goal is to ensure every walk is safe, enjoyable, and beneficial for the dog's physical and mental well-being. I provide safe, attentive walks tailored to each dog's energy level and needs. I ensure they get exercise, mental stimulation, water when needed, and plenty of positive reinforcement during our time together