Dog Walkers

The national average rate for dog walkers on Care.com is $13.00 per hour as of December 2021. The dog walking rates will change depending on your city, how many dogs you have, and how long you would like them to be walked.

Looking for the right dog walker for your pet can be a stressful process for some pet parents. To make the process easier, start by outlining what you'd like from a candidate before starting your dog walker search. Think about the personality you'd like them to have so it matches your dog's needs, their level of experience walking other dogs, and how much are you able to pay.

To start the search process on Care.com, you will first need to create an account by answering a few simple questions to find dog walkers that match your pet's needs. You will then have the option to either post a job and receive applications from candidates, or search for dog walkers on Care.com based on years of experience, hourly rate, availability, distance from your area, and more. After you have selected your candidates, you can schedule interviews, check references, request additional background checks, and hire the one that best fits your needs.

Yes, dog walkers on Care.com are asked to complete an annual background check called a CareCheck. Dog walkers who complete this background check will have a badge on their profile displaying the date it was run. While CareCheck is a good start, we strongly recommend that you follow some additional steps for hiring a dog walker safely, which include interviewing candidates, checking references, and running your own background check. Visit our Safety Center to learn more.

Besides making sure that the dog walker has the right training and experience, you may want to ask them what type of dog breeds they have cared for, if they would be walking your dog alone or with other dogs, and if they've ever had to handle an emergency situation. Be sure to discuss a backup plan if there is ever an emergency with your pet. It's also a good idea to schedule a meet and greet at a public place to see how the dog walker interacts with your dog, and if your dog likes that person, too!