Finding the Best Dog Walking Service for Your Furry Friend’s Needs

As a pet owner, it’s important to make sure your four-legged friend stays fit and active. This can be difficult when you’re busy with work or other commitments. Luckily, there are ways for people who have dogs to make time in their hectic schedules so their pets get the exercise they need on a regular basis. Dog walking services are becoming more and more popular every day. Dog walkers take care of your pets while you’re at work or otherwise engaged, ensuring their health remains a priority! Not only do these professionals walk and play with your dog, but they may encounter other dogs during activities which, as an added benefit, helps to socialize them. Their goal is to ensure that your pet gets plenty of exercise and, when possible, socialization everyday.

Choosing the right dog-walking service can be difficult and time consuming, but it’s crucial. If you’re struggling to find a trustworthy, reliable and caring service for your pup that will also meet his or her needs, then the pet care experts at ESP Pet Specialists have some sound advice for you!

Look for Recommendations

If you’re looking for the best dog walking service in your area, it’s first and foremost important to establish trust. This can be done both on and off line. Recommendations or reviews from people who have used this type of business before are a great source of knowledge. You can simply ask your family, friends, and colleagues to connect you with a trusted dog walking service and obtain references. Another great tactic is to visit local parks, dog parks specifically. Inevitably, you will run across local dog walkers and maybe even pet sitting professionals who are willing to offer advice. If offline recommendations aren’t available, you can look online. Many dog walking services and pet care specialists are true professionals and advertise on online platforms. They typically have informational websites with reviews, allowing you to research and find the best provider to take your pet on regular walks. Sites like Bark.com, Facebook or Google My Business are additional sources of information where people are more than willing to share their experience with others. While connecting with dog walking services online, it’s important to thoroughly vet a potential caretaker through the customer reviews section.

Arrange a Meeting

Whether through offline or online sources, if you’ve thoroughly reviewed potential dog walkers and feel good about your decision, the next step is arranging a meeting with potential candidates. Think of an in-person meeting like an interview for both yourself and your pet to ensure both of your levels of compatibility and comfort. If your dog is calm, well-behaved, and responds eagerly, and you feel confident, you may have just met your perfect match for regular dog walking services. That being said, do not expect an immediate bond between your canine and a prospective dog walker. Sometimes, they may be a little shy and uncomfortable around strangers. Best advice: Use your gut instinct. You know your beloved pet more than anyone!

Inspect their Training and Expertise

It is essential to check up on credentials and verify the training and expertise of any dog walking service before you make a decision. To simplify the process, the dog walking professionals at ESP Pet Specialists suggest you ask the following questions:

• Ask them to provide a list of references 
• Ask about their years of experience with dog walking
• Ask about any affiliations, memberships or associations they are affiliated with
• Inquire about the training methods approaches they employ
• Check how friendly they are around your dog and other pets
• Ask whether they are bonded and insured, including workers compensation coverage
• Inquire about their availability and see if they can meet your pooch’s requirements

Health and Safety Are Important

It’s vital not to overlook the health and safety of your dog when hiring a professional dog walking service. When you meet potential dog walkers, ask them about their approach to training. Ask them if they know first aid and CPR to help your pet during a medical emergency. If your pet has special needs, specific medical conditions, or is challenged by physical limitations, are they able to provide the level of care required? Other important considerations you must not ignore include their knowledge of a dog’s body language, behavioral signs, and how they react to the changing moods of your pet. They must also be familiar with the signs of heatstroke, heat exhaustion, and any other unique challenges presented by individual dog breeds.

Takeaway

Your dog is simply not just a pet, but instead is a beloved member of your family, and entrusting their care and well-being to an under-qualified dog walker is simply unfair to both of you! Ultimately, you and your dog deserve the very best, and choosing a dog walker to care for your furry friend when you’re unable to should be a highly selective process. The choice is yours as to who you want to hire and entrust to take care of your loved one, and the decision will be one of the most important ones you will make in the life of your pet. The above-listed tips will help connect you with the best dog walking service for your pet’s needs. You can then rest easy knowing that their physical activity, health, and safety are ensured!