Find the Best Dog Walking Services Near You

Professional dog walkers typically charge $20 to $40 for a 30-minute walk and $30 to $60 for a 60-minute walk, depending on location and whether the walk is solo or part of a group. Rates in major cities tend to be higher, and solo walks command a premium over group walks.

For small or lower-energy breeds, two 30-minute walks per day is generally adequate. High-energy breeds like Border Collies, Huskies, and Vizslas typically need at least 60 to 90 minutes of exercise daily. Age and health also matter — puppies and seniors may need shorter, more frequent outings.

Most adult dogs benefit from at least two walks per day. The total daily exercise required varies from 30 minutes for small low-energy breeds to two hours or more for working and sporting breeds. Mental stimulation through sniff walks, training, and enrichment complements physical exercise.

Red flags include no verifiable reviews, unwillingness to provide references, vague policies on group walk sizes, no GPS tracking or updates, lack of insurance, and any walker who seems disinterested in your dog during the meet-and-greet. Always trust your instincts — if something feels off, keep looking.

A trustworthy walker sends unprompted updates and photos, arrives on time, respects your stated instructions, returns your dog calm and well-exercised, and is transparent about incidents during the walk.

Most experienced walkers manage between three and six dogs at once in a group walk. More than six dogs significantly reduces the walker's ability to respond quickly if a dog gets into difficulty. Solo or paired walks are always the safest option, particularly for reactive or strong dogs.

A good contract covers the walking schedule, route details, payment terms and cancellation policy, what to do in an emergency, vaccination and health requirements, the walker's insurance details, liability clauses, and authorisation for emergency vet treatment if the owner cannot be reached.