How to Hire Dog Walkers & Pet Sitters Who Actually Love Animals

Hiring the wrong dog walker can destroy your reputation overnight. One bad sitter = lost keys, injured pets, bad reviews, and angry clients calling at midnight. Here's how to find people who genuinely care about animals and take the job seriously.

The Make-or-Break Question: "Why do you want to walk dogs?"

Red flag answer: "I need flexible hours" or "It seems easy."

Green flag answer: "I grew up with dogs and can't have one in my current apartment" or "I volunteered at the shelter for two years."

You want someone who views this as animal care, not just outdoor cardio.

6 Essential Screening Questions

1. "What would you do if a dog slipped their collar?"

This reveals problem-solving skills. Good answer includes: stay calm, use treats or their name, don't chase them, call the owner immediately.

2. "How do you handle aggressive dogs at the park?"

You want: "I'd create distance, move to a different area, and prioritize my dog's safety over socializing."

Bad answer: "I'd let them work it out" - that's how dogs get hurt.

3. "Do you have your own transportation?"

Critical for multi-stop routes. Expecting you or clients to pick them up doesn't scale.

4. "Are you comfortable with large/senior/special needs dogs?"

Some people only want puppies. You need walkers who can handle 80-lb senior labs with arthritis.

5. "What's your experience with cats/small animals?"

If you offer pet sitting, cat care is different than dogs. Not everyone knows this.

6. "How would you handle a medical emergency?"

Look for: "Call owner immediately, then emergency vet contact, keep the pet calm, don't try to treat myself."

Background Checks Are Non-Negotiable

This person will have keys to homes. You need:

• Criminal background check (look for theft, violence, drug charges)
• Driving record (if they're transporting pets)
• At least 3 references (previous pet sitting, not just friends)
• Social media check (do they actually post about animals?)

The Working Interview for Pet Sitters

Never send someone to a client's home untested. Start with a shadow day:

• They follow you on your existing route
• You watch how they interact with different dogs
• You see if they're comfortable with keys, alarms, notes
• You check if they clean up properly and lock doors

Pay them for the shadow day. It's worth it to avoid disaster.

Red Flags That Mean "Don't Hire"

• Afraid of big dogs (you'll have big dog clients)
• On their phone constantly during the test walk
• Doesn't pick up poop without being reminded
• Rough handling (yanking leashes, pulling dogs)
• Can't follow basic instructions about routes/times
• Doesn't lock doors or loses keys during test
• Shows up smelling like smoke (some clients will complain)

Insurance & Liability You Need

Pet sitting insurance covers:

• Pet injury or death while in your care
• Property damage (knocked over TV, scratched floors)
• Lost keys and lock changes
• Legal fees if a client sues

Providers: Pet Sitters Associates, Business Insurers of the Carolinas

Cost: $200-400/year for $1-2 million coverage

Pay Structure That Prevents Last-Minute Cancellations

Hourly isn't ideal because it incentivizes slow walking. Instead:

Per-Walk Pricing:

• 30-minute walk: $15-20
• 60-minute walk: $25-35
• Overnight sitting: $60-100
• Holiday premium: 1.5x rate

Bonuses That Increase Reliability:

• $50 bonus for completing 30 walks without cancellation
• $100 referral bonus for bringing in new clients
• Premium pay for last-minute emergency coverage

Training Your New Dog Walkers

Don't assume they know your standards. Cover:

• How long to walk (30 min = 30 min, not 20)
• Photo updates for clients (before, during, after)
• What to do with keys (lockbox, return to office, etc.)
• Emergency contact protocol (you first, then vet, then owner)
• Weather policies (what temp is too hot/cold)
• Client communication (text updates, report cards)

Where to Find Quality Pet Sitters

Best Sources:

• Veterinary offices (techs looking for side work)
• Animal shelters (experienced volunteers)
• College students (flexible schedules, often have experience)
• Rover/Wag (recruit their top-rated sitters)
• Local Facebook pet groups

Avoid:

• People who "just want to play with puppies all day"
• Anyone with multiple no-shows in their work history
• Those who can't commit to a consistent schedule

Keeping Good Pet Sitters Long-Term

1. Give Them a Consistent Route

Same dogs, same neighborhoods, same times. Constantly changing their schedule = they'll find more stable work.

2. Respect Their Time Off

"Can you cover this walk in 20 minutes?" when they requested the day off = they quit.

3. Provide Supplies

Don't make them buy poop bags, hand sanitizer, first aid kit, or pet wipes. Provide branded supplies.

4. Back Them Up With Clients

If a client complains unfairly, defend your walker. Show you trust them.

5. Create Growth Opportunities

Lead walker position, training new hires, managing a neighborhood route. Don't make it a dead-end job.

Bottom Line

Finding reliable pet care workers requires:

• Screening for genuine animal love, not just flexibility
• Background checks (they have house keys!)
• Shadow days before solo walks
• Clear training on your standards
• Fair pay with bonuses for reliability
• Treating good walkers well so they stay