Owning a pet comes with many responsibilities, including providing an excellent quality of life for your companion. You can’t always cater to your busy lives and schedules around your pets, and that is why hiring a regular dog walker may be a worthwhile investment. 

You can’t just hire anyone to walk your dog, though! Just as there are prerequisites to consider when booking a pet sitter, your dog walker has a big responsibility and should know what they are doing. 

Beyond the benefits of hiring a dog walking service in Scottsdale, AZ, we will share with you some of the key ways to identify a reliable and trustworthy dog walker. That way, you can have peace of mind that your dog is in good hands every time they head out on a walk. 

Benefits of dog walking services

There are likely more benefits than the two we list below, but in our opinion, these are by far the best reasons to hire a dog walking service. 

More exercise and stimulation for your dog

Even if you have a small dog, they likely get bored and lonely when you are gone all day for work. Or, if you’re working from home, you may not have time to devote to your dog, and they can become very distracting throughout the workday. 

In either case, your dog may be asking for more than some love and attention. Your dog may need more exercise! 

Hiring a dog walking service, especially one that comes regularly, provides your dog with a reliable schedule and consistent exercise routine. Just like humans, dogs need daily exercise to stay healthy and prevent obesity. 

Many dog walking services, like Pawfect Pet & House Sitter, allow you to schedule daily dog walks. Some dogs may need longer walks than others, and that’s why we have dog walking services that range from 20 minutes to an hour. That way, you can cater the walk to the needs of your pet. 

Being confined to a house or even a yard all the time doesn’t allow for much exercise or stimulation. Getting outside and taking different routes each day tires your dog out even more. Dogs need stimulation and socialization. On daily dog walks, they have the added benefit of socializing with the dog walker, and they get to hear, see, smell, and experience a variety of things outside the home. 

Giving your dog enough exercise and stimulation can also improve their behavior. You may have heard the phrase, “a tired dog is a good dog,” and that is often true. If your dog isn’t getting proper exercise, they can become destructive, bark more, and even become more aggressive. Regular dog walks can help mitigate some of these bad behaviors, especially for high-energy breeds. 

of Booking a Dog Walking Service in Scottsdale, AZ

Saves you time

Adding regular and frequent dog walks to your schedule may not always be realistic, especially if you have a dog that needs multiple walks in a day. Hiring a reliable and consistent dog walking service helps take some of that extra time you’d dedicate to a dog walk and give it back to you. 

You can still save a short walk here and there for yourself to bond with your dog, but a dog walker can give your dog a longer walk each day without you having to book an hour out of your already busy schedule. 

Some dog walking services also have other pet services like a dog tax that can help save you more time. The Pawfect Pet Taxi can bring your pet to grooming appointments, the vet, and more. Plus, if your dog already has a good relationship with a Pawfect dog walker, taking a Pet Taxi or having an overnight stay becomes less stressful. 

 

How to choose a dog walking service in Scottsdale, AZ

It is no secret that dog walks are good for dogs, but how do you choose the right dog-walking service? It can be tempting to hire a neighborhood kid who wants extra money or even book on a dog walking app, but these can be unreliable and sometimes dangerous choices. 

To help keep your dog safe, use these tips below to choose a trustworthy dog walker. 

Get recommendations

One of the best ways to find a reliable dog walker is to ask people you know if they have a dog walking service they use. You can also ask a vet or groomer if they have any recommendations. If you frequent the dog park, you can also ask other dog owners if they use a dog walking service in the area. 

A dog walking service that has raving reviews and quality recommendations is a good sign. It tells you that other people have trusted their pet with that dog walking service and have had excellent experiences. 

Booking a Dog Walking Service in Scottsdale, AZ

Ask about their training and experience 

Once you’ve found a dog walker or dog walking service that interests you, do your research. Yes, having a recommendation is great, but you also need to look into what training and experience they have before hiring them. 

Having a dog walker that is knowledgeable in dog behavior, training in how to walk dogs, and pet first aid is ideal. To get a good idea of their experience, you can ask questions like: 

  • How long have you been a dog walker?
  • Are you licensed and insured? 
  • Do you know canine first aid?
  • What type of dog walking training did you have?

Require a meet and greet

If you feel good about their certifications, move forward in your hiring process with a meet and greet. A meet and greet is a must for you and your dog. It gives you a chance to ask more questions and for your dog to meet the dog walker. 

Having the dog walker and your dog meet with you present is essential, especially if you won’t be home when they are scheduled to walk. 

During the meet and greet, you can get to know more about their dog walking by asking pointed questions like: 

  • Where do you plan to walk my dog?
  • How long are the walks?
  • What is your availability for regular walks?
  • Will you be the main person walking my dog?

Get to know the Pawfect dog walkers

All of our pet professionals at Pawfect Pet & House Sitter are experienced dog walkers and pet sitters. After a meet and greet with you and your dog, we will set up your dog’s first trial walk. This walk is when your Pawfect dog walker has a chance to get to know your dog and their behaviors better. 

The more you can tell us before the trial walk, the better prepared your dog walker will be. Things like if your dog is aggressive with other dogs or pulls on the leash ensure the dog walker has the knowledge to keep your dog safe. You can also inform the dog walker commands you use with your dog to ensure your dog will listen and understand. 

a Dog Walking Service in Scottsdale, AZ (1)

Book a dog walk in Scottsdale, AZ today!

Choosing a reliable dog walking service takes some time, and you may not find the perfect dog walker right away. That’s why at Pawfect Pet and House Sitter, we also offer dog walking services. 

We strive to provide the most reliable pet services in Scottsdale, AZ, and the surrounding areas. Our professional pet sitters are trained and experienced with all breeds of dogs. 

Plus, one of the benefits of a dog walking service vs. an individual dog walker we didn’t mention earlier is that we always have a backup sitter.  So, while we always assign the same walker for your regular dog walks, if for some reason they cannot make it one day, they will always have a backup. That way, your dog never misses a walk or potty break! 

Book a Pawfect Walk!

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