Where should you look for a regular dog walker?
We suggest starting with a professional walking service. At Alvis we check applicants’ documents, interview them and provide training before they take a booking. You can read reviews and see a walker’s service history on their profile. You also have someone to call if your walker needs cover.
Look for a review from someone whose circumstances sound like yours. If you need a lunchtime walk every weekday, an owner who booked the same walker for several weeks can tell you something about reliability. If traffic worries your dog, ask the walker about a time a dog stopped on a busy pavement. Listen for how they gave the dog time and space to move on.
Meet outside for your first walk together
Pick familiar ground at roughly the time you’ll need the walker. A dog who barks at visitors in the hallway can meet this person without a stranger stepping through the front door. Set off together. Once your dog seems comfortable, let the walker take the lead and walk alongside them.
Show them where you wait to cross and where your dog likes to take his time. Then see how the two of them get on. If your dog stops, does the walker give him a moment? Someone who jerks the lead or frightens your dog is giving you a good reason to end the meeting.
What should you put in a dog walking booking?
Half an hour outdoors could mean a brisk circuit of the park or a slow sniff along one hedge. Describe an ordinary outing when you book. Include the lead you use, whether treats are welcome and which encounters you usually steer clear of. These details give the walker something to go on the first time they take your dog out alone.
At Alvis you can start with an introductory walk for 28 zł. Our dog walking page lists timings and prices for subsequent walks. Try booking the slot you’ll actually need during the week so you can both see whether it works as a regular arrangement.
When should you give a dog walker your keys?
The first few solo walks can happen on days you work from home. The walker collects your dog at the agreed time and brings him back while you’re still there. You get to know the person who turns up at your door before you need to give them a key.
Once you settle on a schedule, agree who may enter your home, how to lock up and when you’ll get the key back. Leave a number for someone nearby who can help if the lock sticks while you’re in a meeting.
What can you learn from a walk report?
The map shows where Borys walked. His walker adds that he had time to sniff, had a drink and rested when he got home. If there’s something you’d like to hear about after each walk, mention it when you book.
See what a walk includes
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3.1 kmQuestions before booking a dog walker
Do I have to commit to a regular schedule straight away?
You can start with one introductory walk. Afterwards, consider how your dog got on with the walker, whether you felt comfortable with their handling and whether their hours suit you. Then decide on the next date.
What if my dog needs space from other dogs?
Explain this when booking and arrange an individual walk. Show the walker how much room your dog usually needs when passing another dog and which route you take when the dog park is busy.
Can the walker change my dog’s harness or let them off the lead?
Show the walker the equipment your dog wears and agree how it will be used. If your dog stays on the lead throughout, put that in the booking. A suggestion about different equipment is something you can discuss when they get back.
What happens if my usual walker can’t come?
Get in touch with the Alvis coordinator. Before the walk, confirm who will come, how they will collect your dog and how they will get your instructions. If you want to meet a substitute first, mention it when arranging regular walks.
Does the GPS route tell me whether my dog enjoyed the walk?
The map shows where they went. Your walker’s note can explain a long stop. Perhaps your dog was sniffing a hedge, or they waited for a noisy bin lorry to pass. That detail can help you pick a route for the next outing.
