How to Choose a Dog Walker in London

London has thousands of dog walkers. Some are brilliant — patient, experienced, reliable people who genuinely love dogs. Others are teenagers looking for quick cash with no training, no insurance, and no plan for what happens if something goes wrong.

Here's what actually separates the good from the not-so-good.

1. DBS check — non-negotiable

A DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check shows whether someone has a criminal record. For dog walkers who will enter your home, take your dog out alone, and sometimes care for your pet overnight — this isn't optional. It's the minimum baseline.

All walkers on Barkevo can complete a basic DBS check. Those with a verified certificate get a DBS badge on their profile — we only show the badge after we confirm the document. Only book DBS-verified walkers for unsupervised walks and home visits.

2. Insurance

What happens if your dog is injured during a walk? Or if your dog injures another dog, or a person? A professional dog walker carries public liability insurance — typically £1–5 million of cover — that protects everyone involved.

Ask to see the certificate, or look for the insurance badge on their profile. A walker without insurance is a significant risk — if something goes wrong, you could end up liable.

3. How many dogs do they walk at once?

Group walks can be a great experience for sociable dogs — and they're cheaper. But a walker taking out six dogs at once has much less capacity to handle an emergency, spot a health issue, or respond quickly if your dog bolts.

If your dog is nervous, reactive, elderly, or has any special needs — look for a solo walk specialist. They take one dog at a time, full attention, full accountability.

4. Do a meet & greet first

Before you commit to a booking, arrange a meet & greet. This is a short, free meeting where you introduce your dog to the walker on neutral ground or in your home. It tells you:

• How the walker interacts with your dog — do they get down to their level? Do they let the dog come to them?
• Whether your dog is comfortable with them
• Whether the walker asks the right questions (feeding schedule, medical history, what to do in an emergency)
• How professional and punctual they are

Any decent walker will welcome a meet & greet. Someone who skips it should be a red flag. On Barkevo, you can request a free meet & greet directly from a walker's profile.

5. Reviews — read between the lines

Five stars doesn't always mean what you think. Look for reviews that mention specific details: “she remembered Luna doesn't like other large dogs,” or “sent photos from every walk without being asked.” Generic five-star reviews with no body text are nearly useless.

On Barkevo, only verified clients who have completed a paid booking can leave a review. You can't fake it or buy it.

Red flags to avoid

• No DBS check — or one that's expired
• No insurance
• Refuses a meet & greet
• Won't tell you how many other dogs they walk at the same time
• Doesn't ask about your dog's medical history or behaviour
• Only operates via WhatsApp with no formal booking or payment trail
• Prices significantly below market rate — usually means corners are being cut