Beta Beta — hiring neighbors on Papalocal is new; what you see here is real, and it's still growing.
Dog walking Beta
A neighbor who walks your dog on a set schedule: a midday break, a daily stroll or extra exercise on the days you can't get out.
- How often
- Daily or weekly
- Where the work happens
- Inside your home
- Who it suits
- Can suit a teen, with a parent's okay
These open your Papalocal account. You'll be asked to log in or sign up first.
Dog walking sounds simple: a leash, a route and a dog who needs to get out. Done well, it means arriving at the same time each day, knowing how your dog reacts to other dogs and squirrels, and bringing them home tired and calm.
It is usually wanted by people who work long days, have a new puppy that can't hold it until evening, are recovering from an injury, or own a high-energy dog that needs more than the backyard.
A walker who lives a few streets over can come at lunch without a long drive, already knows the sidewalks and the loose dogs nearby, and can cover a rainy day or a late meeting on short notice.
Also called: dog walker, midday dog walk, pet walking service, dog walking service, walk my dog, puppy potty break visits.
What's usually included
- Picking up the dog at your door, or letting themselves in with a key or code you share
- An on-leash walk of the length you agree on, along a route you approve
- Picking up after the dog and bagging it for the trash
- Fresh water and a towel-off for muddy paws before leaving
- A quick note or photo afterward: how far you went, how the dog did, anything unusual
- Locking up and hanging the leash back where it belongs
What to ask before you hire
- How long is each walk, and on which days and at what times?
- Will the walker have your dog alone, or walk several dogs together?
- How does your dog act around other dogs, kids, bikes and cars, and is there anything to steer clear of?
- How will the walker get in: a key, a lockbox, a door code, or a hand-off in person?
- What happens on storm days, holidays, or when the walker is sick?
- Who does the walker call if the dog slips the leash or gets hurt?
Staying safe
- Check the fit of the collar or harness before every walk; a dog that backs out of a loose collar can be gone in seconds
- Save the owner's vet and an emergency contact in your phone before the first walk
- Skip dog parks and greetings with unknown dogs unless the owner says yes
- Hot pavement and ice both hurt paws, so shorten the walk in extreme weather and tell the owner why
Dog walking by town
Questions people ask
Can a teenager walk my dog?
Dog walking often suits a teen, with a parent's OK and a dog they can physically handle. Meet together first and start with short walks so you can see how they do.
Do I have to give a walker a key?
No. Some owners use a lockbox or a door code they can change later, and some hand the dog off in person. Settle it before the first walk.
What if my dog pulls or is reactive?
Say so up front and ask the walker how they handle it. A walker who suggests a quieter route or a different time of day is usually a good sign.
How do I pay a neighbor who walks my dog?
If the walker offers the service on Papalocal, you can request it and pay by card there. Otherwise, agree on how and when you'll pay before the first walk.
Thinking of offering this yourself?
- Bring poop bags, a phone and the patience to let a dog sniff, and use whatever harness, head collar or leash the owner's dog is used to
- Do a free meet-and-greet walk with the owner along before the first paid one, so the dog learns you
- Walk one dog at a time until you know each dog well; group walks are a skill to build up to
- Look at what other walkers nearby ask, think about your time and travel, and set your own price for your area
- A short text with a photo after each walk is what turns a one-time walk into a standing weekday spot
- Ask happy owners to leave a rating on Papalocal so the next neighbor can see how you did
