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 leash up. 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, says Brandi Hunter Munden of the American Kennel Club. “If you work long hours, have an erratic schedule or are physically unable to give your dog the required exercise, you might consider hiring a dog walker,” Munden says. “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 costs around the country
To get a general idea of how much a dog walker costs where you live, start by plugging your pet care type, city and state into our Cost of Care Calculator. This will give you a starting point for budgeting for a dog walker and discussing dog walking rates with potential hires.
“How much you’re willing to spend might determine who’s available to you,” Munden says. “Research is a good first step in determining what dog walkers in your area are in your price range. The frequency and duration of service required will also determine how much you pay a dog walker. Think of your lifestyle and decide how often you need the dog walker’s services.”
Here are some examples of the posted dog walker rates, based on location.
Current posted dog walker costs for top cities*
| CITY, STATE | HOURLY DOG WALKER RATE |
|---|---|
| Atlanta, Georgia | $14.80/hr |
| Brooklyn, New York | $17.53/hr |
| Charlotte, North Carolina | $13.25/hr |
| Chicago, Illinois | $17.03/hr |
| Denver, Colorado | $17.97/hr |
| Los Angeles, California | $19.28/hr |
| Minneapolis, Minnesota | $16.50/hr |
| Orlando, Florida | $13.80/hr |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | $14.26/hr |
| Phoenix, Arizona | $16.25/hr |
| Portland, Oregon | $17.93/hr |
| San Antonio, Texas | $12.84/hr |
| San Diego, California | $18.06/hr |
| Seattle, Washington | $20.07/hr |
| Tampa, Florida | $14.59/hr |
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How do dog walkers set their rates?
A dog walker or dog walking company will consider a number of factors when setting their rates. For Kai Hsieh, owner of Happy Paws Boston, the client’s geographic location, location demand and services included in the walk are all taken into consideration. She estimates that current dog walker costs average between $18-$25 for a 20- to 30-minute visit.
Many dog walkers offer add-ons to their walking services, which you can discuss before hiring them. “Some companies charge for feeding, medication, weekend surcharges, etcetera,” Hsieh says. “It varies per company. Any additional charges should be addressed during the initial visit.”
It goes without saying that you should expect to pay more for a professional dog walker than an amateur. “If the company is bonded, licensed and insured, then they will probably charge a bit more — but at the same time, this means they are most likely a trustworthy company that carries themselves in a professional manner versus your local neighborhood kid who is doing it for side money,” Hsieh says.
Daniel Kampf, owner of Atlas Doghouse and Atlas Walks in Washington, D.C., says that dog walking in his area ranges in price from $18-$30. “You get what you pay for,” Kampf says. “A dog walker making less than minimum wage is unlikely to take good care of your dog.”
Kampf notes that pricing dog walking services can sometimes feel like a balancing act. “The lower the price, the more our services will be in demand, but the less we can afford to pay walkers,” he says. “At an extreme, this will lead to irresponsible people making irresponsible decisions with our beloved pets. The higher the price, the more we can pay walkers, the higher the quality of walkers, but the less affordable the service becomes. There is a Goldilocks zone between these two competing tensions that we seek to find.”
The pack factor: Why it matters and how it can save you money
Another major component that will impact the dog walking cost you pay is whether you want your dog to be walked individually or with other dogs. Individual walks may cost more — but some dog trainers will argue that you and your pup would be missing 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,” Kampf says. “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 daycare.”
Hsieh thinks the pack factor is so important that she herself employs a dog walker. “I own a dog walking company, and I have a dog walker for my dogs because I want them to socialize with other humans and dogs aside from the ones they are used to — and it gives me a little break a couple of times a week,” Hsieh says. “Plus, I like knowing my dogs have their own social life with their dog friends two times per week.”
Is the cost of a dog walker cost 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 backyard and to socialize with other humans and dogs aside from the owner,” Hsieh says.
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,” Kampf says. “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,” Kampf adds. “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.”
