Dog Walking Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to our frequently asked questions page for those considering hiring a dog walker. We understand that as a pet owner, finding the right dog walker can be a daunting task. Therefore, we have put together a comprehensive list of commonly asked questions to help ease your concerns and make the hiring process as seamless as possible. Whether you’re a first-time dog owner or have been caring for your furry friend for years, our FAQ page is here to provide you with the answers you need.

Dog Walking FAQs

How many dogs do you walk at one time? We believe that each dog deserves our proper attention, something that cannot be promised in large groups, so we stick to a maximum of 5 dogs in each group. We use our knowledge of each dog and our experience to ensure groups are suitably matched for maximum enjoyment for each dog, but we also ensure that they get to meet as many new pals as possible by mixing up the groups. Our group walks are a fantastic opportunity for your dog to socialise, build their confidence and have a great time burning off a good load of energy.

What times do you walk? We offer walks throughout the day, from early mornings into the evening. Our group walks are spread throughout the day but we can cater to your individual needs when we assign the walks. For example, if you leave early in the morning and a back home early afternoon, we will ensure your dog is taken out in the morning walks, or vice versa for the afternoon. You can see what time your dog will be taken out when you access your online customer portal and check their schedule for the week.

Can I specify what time I would like my dog walked? Absolutely, using your online customer portal you can request specific walks, rough times (e.g morning, afternonn etc) or leave it up to us. Whatever works best for you and your dog.

How long are your walks? Our walks are an hour in length, and this doesn’t include travel time, so you can expect your dog to be out anywhere from 60 minutes up to approximately 90 minutes, depending on where they fall in the order of pick ups and drop offs. We may cut walk times slightly if the weather is particularly bad as we need the extra time to ensure your dog is returned clean and dry.

What areas do you cover? Our dog walking services cover Backworth, Earsdon, Shiremoor, Holywell, Holystone, West Allotment, Killingworth, Monkseaton & Whitley Bay.

Do you clean the dogs after their walks? Yes, we each have a small shower unit, shampoo and plenty of towels so we can ensure that your dog is returned in a clean and presentable manner. However, we are not a full grooming service, we just make sure they are not wet, muddy and liable to leave footprints everywhere.

Do I need to be home when you collect my dog? No, not at all. We are insured to carry your key and they are labelled with a code that cannot be linked to your address. The majority of our clients are happy for us to have access and to have a key.

Do you have a minimum walks per week/month? No. We are happy to accommodate ad-hoc walks as and when you need us. You can simply log into your customer portal and request walks when you need them.

Do you do walks on weekends or bank holidays? We do offer walks on weekends and bank holidays, but on a request only basis. We don’t have any regular scheduled walks on those days but if we can help out, we will. There is an additional charge of 50% for walks on bank holidays.

Are you insured? Yes, we are fully insured for dog walking, and this also includes public liability insurance, lost or damaged keys, and injury to dogs in our care. You can see our insurance policy here.

What is your cancellation policy? We are as flexible as we can be when it comes to rearranging or cancelling walks, we understand that life happens and things change. Any changes or cancellations carried out outside of 24 hours before don’t incur any charges.

Do I have to pay for walks upfront? No. We operate our invoices on a 2 weeks in arrears system, so you only pay for what you’ve had. Your customer portal not only delivers your invoices and allows you to pay them, but also allows you to see exactly what days and at what times your dog was taken out so you can confirm this matches your records.

What happens in the event of an emergency? In the unlikely event of an emergency occurring, we will contact you immediately and make you aware of the situation. If care is immediately required we will take your dog to your nominated veterinary surgery or the nearest surgery if required. We carry first aid kits in our vehicles and have a network of other local dog walkers should we require assistance in a particular circumstance.