What to Look for in a Dog Walker

Handing your dog to someone else takes trust. Not everyone advertising as a “dog walker” has the right experience, credentials, or accountability. This checklist covers what to verify before you commit.

The pre-hiring checklist

Questions to ask at the meet & greet

A good walker welcomes questions. Here are the ones that matter:

• How many dogs do you walk at the same time? — Solo walks cost more but provide one-to-one attention.
• What happens if my dog gets injured? — They should have a clear answer, not hesitation.
• Can I see your DBS certificate? — Any legitimate walker will show it without hesitation.
• Do you have experience with [breed/issue]? — Relevant if your dog is reactive, elderly, or a puppy.
• How do you handle an emergency? — Do they know the nearest vet? Do they have your contact saved?

Group walks vs solo walks

Group walks (typically 3–6 dogs) are social, fun, and cheaper. Perfect for confident dogs who love playing with others.

Solo walks are one dog, one walker, full focus. Better for nervous dogs, reactive dogs, puppies, elderly dogs, or dogs with medical needs. The walker can move at your dog's pace, spot any behavioural changes, and respond quickly to any issue.

On Barkevo, walkers who only do solo walks are marked with a Solo only badge on their profile and in search results.

Why platform booking beats cash-in-hand

Booking through a platform (like Barkevo) gives you protections that a cash-in-hand arrangement can't:

• Your money is held securely until the walk is complete — you get a refund if the walker doesn't show
• There's a paper trail of every booking, message, and payment
• Disputes can be resolved by the platform, not just between you and the walker
• You can see verified reviews from real clients before you book