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.
Doggie Latchkey handles dog walking for residents in Novi. Dog walks are tailored per the needs, size, age, and breed of dog for optimal benefits, and additional services include morning, mid-day, and evening visits, dog park visits, overnight pet sitting, pet transportation, and puppy care. Doggie Latchkey employs sitters with professional and accredited training, has a Board-certified CPDT-KA trainer on staff, always provides a backup caregiver in case of emergency, and is fully insured. All sitters are bonded as well and undergo a background check before being hired. Clients can easily schedule services online and stay in touch with sitters via phone, email, or text message, and the company is a member of Pet Sitters International as well as the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters and is also certified in CPR for dogs by Advantage First Aid.
Furry Footsteps LLC walks dogs throughout Ypsilanti. Customers request 15, 30, or 60-minute walks and can customize each visit according to their needs with benefits including puppy housebreaking, leash lessons, healthy exercise, and needed companionship. Caregivers also provide pet sitting, can visit up to five times per day, and can also water plants, take out garbage, rinse food bowls, and administer medications. The fully insured group has a reputation for safe, affordable, and top-quality service as well as for maintaining clients' privacy and does not use vehicles with wraps or logos. Dog owners also have access to various resources including education, community outreach, and Head-to-Tail evaluation, and Furry Footsteps is a member of Pet Sitters Associates, supports the Human Society of Huron Valley, is an Official Member of Professional United Pet Sitters, and won Best of Thumbtack 2016.
Happy Hearts Pet Care, LLC brings over 20 years of professional experience to Ann Arbor dog walking clients. The group has dealt with hundreds of pets over the years and is known for affordable rates and quality service with midday dog walks that last 20 minutes, vacation pet care with 20-30 or 60-minute visits, holiday services, and extra items such as medications, feeding, and basic grooming included. Caregivers can also take care of home tasks such as the garbage, mail, and lights for free. Happy Hearts' owner is certified in Pet CPR/first aid through the Red Cross and attends regular obedience and behavior training with her own dogs. All sitters and walkers have taken pet CPR and first aid training, are bonded and insured, and have passed criminal background checks as well.
Peaceable Pets has been an Ann Arbor dog walking company since 2004. Dogs are typically walked alone unless from the same household and can have a 15 or 30-minute outing including potty breaks, meals, medication, playtime, and love. Dog boarding and daycare, and pet visits as well as care for everything from cats and birds to fish and snakes are also available. The group is trained in pet first aid by the Red Cross, is a member of Think Local First, and was a Michigan Tails 2009 Readers' Choice Favorite. Peaceable Pets is bonded and insured, appreciates client feedback anytime, and will refer other services to dog owners who do not find Peaceable Pets a good fit for their needs. Biographies for all caregivers can be found online, and the staff includes the owner of a holistic animal care practice.
Pet 'N Play has been offering dog walking services in Ann Arbor since 2008. The group is led by a husband-wife team and is known for being professional, courteous, and flexible as well as for its wonderful communication with dog owners via written notes, email updates, and text messages as needed. Services include daily walks, potty breaks, and playtime, pet sitting, and pet taxi service to the vet, groomer, or other destination. All team members are certified in Red Cross Pet First Aid, are bonded, can administer medications, and use biodegradable waste bags. Pet 'N Play holds full liability insurance as well. One of the co-owners has been a volunteer with Neighborhood Senior Services for over 15 years, and the company supports the Human Society of Huron Valley. Initial consultations are free of charge, and interested parties may request references.
Sunset Animal Care LLC is an Ann Arbor dog walking service. Dog owners can choose private walks alone for their pooch or walks with other dogs for added socialization, and outings can last 20-25, 30-35, 45-50, or 60 minutes. Potential clients can look through various options and fees online, and in-home pet sitting, as well as a pet taxi service, is also available. The owner is an Ann Arbor native, has worked over the years with hundreds of different breeds, previously managed a dog boarding and daycare facility in San Francisco, and first set up Sunset Animal Care in San Francisco before heading back home. The company is licensed, insured, and bonded and provides a Classy Walks service for taking care of dogs during a wedding or other special occasion as well. Sunset Animal Care also helps in animal rescue, fostering, and adoptions.
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:
