Rover offers doggy daycare services for pet owners throughout the local area. Its network includes thousands of pet sitters that are available to care for dogs while their owners work or travel. The service connects sitters with clients online or through its app. Customers can meet with sitters prior to booking, and services are available for a range of dogs, including high-energy puppies and dogs with special needs.
The founder of Critter Caretakers Pet Sitting previously worked as an animal rescue volunteer, and as a result, has experience with anxious and shy animals. The company walks dogs daily or as scheduled for pet owners who are not able to walk their dogs themselves. The staff can check on pets one to three times a day while their owners are away, and these visits include feeding, fresh water, playtime, potty breaks, walks, medication administration, and dog waste removal. Pet sitters keep daily notes and give text updates to owners. Critter Caretakers Pet Sitting is a member of Pet Sitters Associates and is accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating. The company has nearly 70 five star reviews and has been named Best of Mesa since 2014. Pet owners say that dog walkers and pet sitters are friendly, helpful, and caring.
Loveable Petsitting, LLC has been caring for Mesa pets since 2005. The insured and bonded business is a member of Pet Sitters International and is accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating. Staff members walk dogs for 20 to 30 minutes, administer medications, visits pets daily while owners are away, and gives pet taxi services. All of the services include grabbing the mail and paper, taking out trash, watering plants, alternating lights and blinds, and security checks.
Pet Sitter Pro! welcomes all dog breeds and offers training reinforcement walks that review the lessons from dog training classes. The business also has daily dog walks available seven days a week, which provide exercise, potty breaks, and extra attention. The bonded and insured company visits pets while owners are away, pet sits overnight, house sits, and transports pets to the day care, vet, or groomer. Staff can administer medications or injections if needed. The business sets up free meet and greets for staff to meet pets and get a tour of the house. Pet Sitter Pro! is a member of Pet Sitters Associates. Pet owners have praised the company for its patient, caring, and organized owner who gives reliable services.
TLC House & Pet Sitting Service, LLC is a bonded and insured Mesa dog walking business that has served the area for more than 20 years. The veterinarian-recommended company walks dogs seven days a week and bases schedules around its clients' work schedules. The business' other services include daily pet sitting, overnight pet care, injections, and house sitting. The company's puppy and senior care services give extra attention and guidance to dogs who need extra care. The staff are PetTech CPR and First Aid-Certified, and give notifications when they have entered and left the client's home. TLC House & Pet Sitting Service is a member of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters and the Arizona Professional Pet Sitters and Associates.
Your Pampered Pets has been caring for Mesa pets for more than 10 years. The founder regularly volunteers for AZRESCUE, a local animal rescue group. The staff are Pet CPR and First Aid-Certified through PetTech, and the business is insured through Pet Sitters Associates. Your Pampered Pets walks dogs for 30 minutes, pet sits, delivers pet food, stops by for mid-day potty breaks, house sits, and transports pets to and from the vet or groomer. The company's pet sitting service includes fresh water, food refills, short walks, poop scooping, playtime, brushing, and medication administration. Pet owners say Your Pampered Pets has pleasant, patient, trustworthy, and reliable staff.
Many people have turned to dog walking as a regular household service. Dog walking can give your pet some exercise while you’re away at work or just take this chore off your hands when you’re having a busy day. Additionally, some people simply need dog walking help if they’ve sustained an injury or have health-related issues.
The general rule is to walk your dog at least three to four times a day, with each walk being at least 15 minutes long. However, this can significantly vary depending on the dog breed, the dog's age, and the dog's energy levels. For example, some breeds that require a lot of exercise are Labrador retrievers, German shepherds, and boxers.
In total, most vets recommend a dog receives between 30 minutes to two hours of exercise a day. The variation depends on your dog’s energy levels. So, if you're hiring a dog walker for a one-hour morning walk, you can choose to do the other 30 minutes to an hour yourself in the evening.
Usually, it’s safest to walk your dog on a leash so you can prevent them from wandering away. Dog walkers can help your dog learn how to walk well, as they are experts in dog walking. In general, dogs should walk close to their owners (or dog walker) and stay on the left side.
Many dogs don’t adapt to leash walking right away. They may lunge, pull, or even stop walking. You can ask your dog walker to help train your dog to walk on a leash better. For example, when dogs pull on a leash, the correct reaction is to stop walking. Eventually, this teaches them that pulling won’t be tolerated.
It doesn't feel great when your dog barks at other dogs. Luckily, you can train this behavior out of them. The experts recommend you teach your dog to heel. This way, when other dogs pass by, you can get your dog to heel and reward them for their good behavior. You can ask your dog walker to practice this on their walks.
Walking your dog has two benefits: it's physical exercise for them and it's mentally stimulating. Dogs are genetically a very active species that likes to be outdoors, so they enjoy getting outside a couple of times a day. Additionally, the smells and sights on their walk stimulate their brain. The human equivalent of a dog’s walk is like reading a good book.
On average, you can expect to pay between $0.05 to $1.00 per minute to have your dogs walked. An average of $0.75 means a 30-minute walk is usually $22.50 and an hour walk is $45. Of course, many things can impact the price, including your location, the length of walking, and the number of dogs.
Tipping isn’t necessary or all that common for dog walking services. However, if you have a particularly difficult dog or one that needs special attention, you may choose to tip your dog walker. Additionally, if you have the same dog walker for a while, a tip around the holidays is a nice gesture.
The snow can be painful for your dog's sensitive paws. More importantly, the salt on the ground can also hurt your dog's paws. Lastly, the snow and ice increase your dog's risk of slipping and injuring themselves (or you). When walking your dog in the snow, always put on dog booties.
Dogs may love their walks, but in extreme temperatures, it can be safer to remain indoors. At a certain point, extreme cold temperatures can be life-threatening for your dog. Don't take small breed dogs out in temperatures below 23 degrees F and 14 degrees F for medium to large breeds.
Just as frigid temperatures can harm your dog, the same rule applies to hot weather. If temperatures rise above 68ºF, it's easy for your dog can get overheated and dehydrated. When it's hot outside, consider exercising your dog indoors, shortening their walks, and/or buying booties to protect their paws from pavement. Even if it seems cool, remember that the hot sidewalk can hurt your dog's paws.
If your dog is walking in circles before lying down, this is normal hereditary behavior. However, if your dog is walking in circles around an area without settling, it might be a sign of stress or anxiety. This likely means they’re not getting enough stimulation and need more (or longer) walks.
First, if you're going to walk two dogs at once, the dogs must get along. Many dog walkers tackle walking two dogs at once. Using a dog leash coupler can help keep the dogs side by side while still having separate leashes and some freedom.
Some dog breeds are more prone to walking sideways, also known as “crabbing.” In particular, dogs with long legs do this to avoid tripping. Border collies, spaniels, vizslas, pointers, and German shepherds are prone to sideways walking. Other causes might be hip dysplasia, vestibular disease, or an injury.
There are two common reasons why dogs walk and poop. First, it’s a way for the dog to leave a strong scent behind. Walking puts added pressure on the anal scent glands, so a more potent smell is produced. Secondly, walking can help make passing their bowel movement easier. If your dog is backed up, walking helps them pass their poop.
Dogs can be trained to walk backwards. It looks quite cute when dogs do this, which is why some dog owners teach this trick. You can request that your dog walker practices walking backward with them. If your dog does this unprompted, though, it might be a sign of a health issue.
Usually, dogs should be allowed to rest with minimal activity the first 24-48 hours post-neutering. During this time, just take your dog out for their bathroom breaks. After that, you can start integrating short walks back into their routine. Your vet should provide you with clear guidelines for walking post-neutering.
You don’t necessarily need professional training in dog walking to start a dog walking business; although, it might help! After creating a website, you’ll need to build up a clientele roster. You can do this by offering introductory competitive rates as you wait to grow a reputation in your area.
There are several ways you can become a dog walker:
