Every pup parent knows how exhilarating a walk can be for their furry friend, but it’s not always easy to find the time or energy to actually take your dog out for a walk. Enter the dog walker, a professional canine companion you can hire to give your dog the exercise and socialization they need.
There are a number of reasons you may want to hire a dog walker: for example, if you work long hours, have an erratic schedule or are physically unable to give your dog the required exercise. Whether you have a dog that’s a couch potato or an active pup, it’s important for all dogs to receive exercise and mental stimulation.
Of course, dog walking comes at a cost—and that can vary greatly based on your location and needs. Keep reading to find out how much you should budget for a dog walker.
Dog walker rates around the country
To get a general idea of how much a dog walker costs, check online and ask other dog owners around where you live. This will give you a rough idea of how to budget for a dog walker and discuss rates with potential hires. As a starting point, in 2022, the average dog walking price is $22.50 for a one-hour walk.
How much you’re willing to spend might determine who’s available to you. Research is a good first step in determining which dog walkers in your area are in your price range. The frequency and duration of service required will also determine the rate you provide a dog walker. Think about your lifestyle and decide how often you need the dog walker’s services.
How do dog walkers set their rates?
A dog walker or dog walking company will consider a number of factors when setting their rates. The client’s geographic location, location demand, and services included in the walk are all taken into consideration. At the end of the day, it’s like any service you buy: You get what you pay for. A dog walker making less than minimum wage is unlikely to take good care of your dog.
It goes without saying that you should expect to pay more for a professional dog walker than an amateur. If a dog walking company is bonded, licensed, and insured, then it will probably charge a bit more. But, at the same time, this means it is most likely a trustworthy company that carries itself in a professional manner, versus a kid from your neighbourhood who is doing it for some extra cash.
The reality is that pricing dog walking services can sometimes feel like a balancing act for dog walking companies. The lower the price, the more their services will be in demand, but the less they can afford to pay walkers. At an extreme, this will lead to irresponsible people making irresponsible decisions with your beloved pets. The higher the price, the more they can pay walkers and the higher the quality of walkers, but the less affordable the service becomes. Dog walking companies seek to find the sweet spot between these two competing factors.
Finally, many dog walkers offer add-ons to their walking services, which you can discuss before hiring them. Similarly, some companies charge for feeding, medication, weekend surcharges, and so on. Any additional charges should be addressed during the initial visit.
The pack factor: Why it matters and how it can save you money
Another major factor that will impact the dog walking rate you pay is whether you want your dog to be walked individually or with other dogs—individual walks are likely to cost more.
Bear in mind that some dog trainers say your pup will miss out on an important socialization opportunity if you opt out of pack walks. Dogs are social animals and need time spent socializing in a structured environment. Social skills are “use ‘em or lose ‘em”. Much canine aggression, anxiety, and neuroticism could be avoided through regular social interaction such as pack walks or day care.
Is the cost of a dog walker worth it?
Even if you know your dog can “hold it” until you get home, hiring a dog walker is an investment in their physical and mental health. Dogs need daily exercise, calm socialization, an opportunity to see the world instead of just the garden, and to socialize with other humans and dogs aside from their owner.
Depending on your unique schedule and situation, hiring a dog walker may in fact be a necessity. It makes sense to hire a dog walker if your dog is home alone for more than six hours, or two to four hours for a puppy. Your dog will need to use the bathroom and will crave the exercise and stimulation of the outside world.
Walking dogs may sound easy, but it isn’t. For the price of a fancy cocktail, someone will come to your house and take your domesticated wolf out into the world. There are a lot of unknowns in that proposition, and your walker should be compensated accordingly.
