How to Find a Reliable Dog Walker in the UK

A reliable dog walker turns up when they say they will, can show you proof of insurance, training and references, and has met your dog before the first walk. They also agree the practical details with you in writing, including what happens in an emergency. This guide shows you how to check each of those things and which questions to ask. It also covers how to keep an eye on your dog once the walks begin.

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Care That Gets to Know Your Dog

Roper and Paws provides dog walking in Bromley and Lewisham, with personal caregiver relationships and app updates on your pet’s care.

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TL;DR

Ask for a written contract, proof of insurance, canine first-aid training and references before the first walk.
Meet the walker with your dog first, so they learn its personality, health, behaviour and fitness.
Agree group size, off-lead rules, emergency decisions, the vet and cancellation notice in writing.
Look for regular updates and a dog that is relaxed on the lead and relaxed with its walker.
If standards slip, go back to what you agreed in writing and raise it straight away.

Why "reliable" means more than turning up on time
What a reliable dog walker can show you
Meet the walker, with your dog, before anything is booked
Questions to ask before the first walk
Agree the details of the walk in writing
Plan for emergencies before you need to
Get your dog ready for a new walker
How to tell your dog is safe and happy
What to do if the standard slips
Book walking with someone who knows your dog
Choosing with confidence
FAQ
Sources

Why "reliable" means more than turning up on time

Punctuality matters, but it is only the visible part. You are handing over your dog, your house key and sometimes your dog's medical needs to another person while you are out. Reliability is the sum of several things: a walker who is prepared, accountable and open about how the walks go.

The UK has no single national licence for dog walkers. Some local authorities run approved-walker schemes, so Dogs Trust advises you to check whether a local licence is required where you live. That makes your own checks more important. You can't assume a walker has been vetted just because they advertise.

The good news is that the checks are simple and take an evening. The sections below put them in the order you will meet them.

What a reliable dog walker can show you

According to Dogs Trust, a good walker can usually show you a written contract, suitable insurance, relevant handling knowledge, canine first-aid training and references. A trustworthy walker expects to be asked for these and will not be put off by it.

A written contract

Dogs Trust's UK checklist says to put a written contract in place before the first walk, covering the service and each side's responsibilities. It does not need to be long. It protects both of you, because you each know what was promised.

Insurance

Dogs Trust says professional dog walkers should hold third-party liability insurance. It suggests you check how many dogs the policy allows and, where you have agreed it, whether it covers emergency veterinary fees. Ask to see the policy document, not only to be told that one exists.

If you also use house visits or overnight stays, the cover needed can differ. Our guide to what cover to ask for from an insured pet sitter explains what to look for.

Training and first aid

Look for training in evidence-based behaviour and handling, plus canine first aid. Dogs Trust adds that a walker should carry a canine first-aid kit. A walker who has this training is more likely to spot early signs of heat stress, a cut paw or a dog that is not coping.

References and reviews

Dogs Trust recommends asking for references or reviews and checking that they show an acceptable standard of service. Where you can, speak to a current client rather than reading a short quote. Ask them how the walker handles changes of plan, bad weather and a dog having an off day.

Meet the walker, with your dog, before anything is booked

This is the step that tells you most. The 2024 Canine and Feline Sector Group dog walking guide says the walker should meet the dog first. They should agree with you its age, health, behaviour, fitness, training cues, walk length and individual needs.

Use the meeting to watch three things:

How they approach your dog. A good walker lets the dog come to them and reads its body language.
How well they listen. Do they ask about your dog's history, medication, fears and quirks, or do they just talk about themselves?
How your dog reacts. Your dog will not always warm up in ten minutes, but you will get a feel for it.

It also helps to hand over any medical history now. Tell them about allergies, joint problems, medication timings and anything that has frightened your dog in the past.

Questions to ask before the first walk

Dogs Trust lists a wide set of topics to cover. Turn them into a short list you can take to the meeting:

What training and qualifications do you have, including first aid?
Can I see your insurance policy, and how many dogs does it cover?
Can you give me references or reviews from current clients?
Which vet would you use in an emergency, and who makes the decisions and pays the costs?
What equipment will you use, and who provides it?
How long will walks be, and at what times?
Do you give treats, and which ones are fine for my dog?
Which training cues does my dog already know, and will you use the same words?
Will my dog ever be off lead, and under what conditions?
Will my dog walk with other dogs, and how do you choose the group?
How much notice do you need for cancellations, and how much do I need to give?

A reliable walker answers these without hesitation. If the answers are vague, treat that as information.

Agree the details of the walk in writing

Once you are happy with the walker, write the agreement down. The research behind this guide points to the following areas.

Group size

The RSPCA's professional dog walker guidance recommends no more than four dogs at one time. That figure is also subject to the walker's insurance limit and any local-authority requirements, and every dog must stay reliably under control. Wiltshire Council's code for approved walkers takes a similar line. It requires a lead for each dog and a maximum of six dogs, or the lower insurance limit. So ask the walker what their own limit is and why.

Walker managing three dogs on separate leads

The RSPCA also says group walking should depend on each dog's suitability and on dogs staying relaxed with each other during transport and walks. It adds that vaccination, worming and flea-treatment status should be checked. A walker who asks to see your dog's vaccination record is being careful, not difficult.

Off-lead walking

The Canine and Feline Sector Group says off-lead walking needs prior written permission from the owner. It should be limited to dogs that can be recalled reliably and immediately, and others should stay on the lead. Wiltshire Council's code likewise asks for signed off-lead permission.

Be honest with yourself here. If your dog's recall is patchy, say so and ask for lead-only walks or a long line. It is much better than finding out in a park.

Fearful, anxious or reactive dogs

The same guide says fearful, anxious or aggressive dogs should be walked independently, on an appropriate lead and away from places where encounters are likely. If your dog is nervous with other dogs, ask for solo walks and say so in the agreement. Tell the walker about triggers like bikes, children or other dogs.

Transport

If the walker drives your dog to a walking spot, the RSPCA Dog Ownership Guide says dogs must be suitably restrained during travel so they do not distract the driver. Ask how dogs are secured in the vehicle, and check the walker's vehicle insurance covers business use.

Practicalities

Also write down pick-up and drop-off arrangements, how the walker will get into your home and keep it secure, what equipment they use, how treats are handled and the notice needed to cancel.

Plan for emergencies before you need to

Dogs Trust suggests agreeing in advance the emergency contacts, which vet to use, who decides on treatment and how veterinary costs are covered. Wiltshire Council's code asks for an agreed response if the dog becomes ill. The RSPCA also recommends planning emergency care and knowing your out-of-hours veterinary options.

Put the following on one page and give a copy to the walker:

Your phone numbers and a second contact who can be reached during the day
Your regular vet's name, address and number
The out-of-hours vet you would use
Any medication, allergies or conditions
How much the walker can authorise without calling you first

If your dog seems unwell after a walk, with vomiting, collapse, laboured breathing or signs of heat stress, call your vet straight away. Don't wait to see if it passes.

Our view: reliability is built on a relationship

When we look after a dog, the checklist is only the start. Reliability, to us, comes from a walker who knows your dog: how it pulls on the lead, which gate it hesitates at and what its wagging tail sounds like when it is happy.

That is why at Roper and Paws we aim to build personal relationships between caregivers and the pets they look after, so your dog sees a familiar face and feels at home. Familiarity helps a dog settle, and it helps the walker notice when something is off.

Owners also need to be able to see what happened while they were away. That is why we offer the Roper and Paws app, where you can follow your pet's care and activity. We built our service for owners in Bromley and Lewisham who want to feel confident, not anxious, when they leave the house.

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Get your dog ready for a new walker

A change of routine can unsettle some dogs, so give them a gentle start. Do one short joint walk with you and the new walker, then a short solo walk, then build up to the full length. Keep the same cues, the same lead and the same collar or harness at first so that nothing feels new all at once.

If you are also moving house, the routine changes even more. A moving day plan for pets can help you keep your dog's walks steady while boxes fill the house.

Good kit helps a walker keep control. You and the walker should agree who provides it. If you provide it, check it over before the first walk: stitching, clips and fit. Our dog walking essentials collection covers leads, collars and harnesses. A few options in our range:

The Canny Training Lead for dogs that are still learning lead manners.
The Canny CONNECT Anti-Escape Lead for dogs that wriggle or bolt.
The Multi-Way Hands-Free Waterproof Dog Lead for walkers who want both hands free on a wet day.
The Lazy Sloth Tactical Dog Collar with Handle for larger dogs.

If you have a puppy, our puppy essentials collection is a good place to start before any walker is introduced.

How to tell your dog is safe and happy

The Canine and Feline Sector Group says a walker should make sure your dog is relaxed and happy during transport and the walk. They should also report any health, behaviour or welfare concerns. You can check this in a few ways:

Updates. You should hear what happened on the walk: where they went, how long, anything unusual. With our app, you can follow your pet's care and activity, and that kind of visibility is worth looking for in any walker.
Your dog at the door. A dog that gets excited when the walker arrives and settles calmly afterwards is usually a happy dog.
Physical signs. Check paws, coat and energy after a walk. Look for limping, excessive thirst or heavy panting.
Behaviour changes. Reluctance to go out, new fear on the lead or a change in appetite deserve a conversation with the walker, and with your vet if they persist.

What to do if the standard slips

Start with the agreement you made. If the walker is late, shortens walks, walks more dogs than agreed or does not report problems, raise it quickly and in writing. A good walker will want to put it right.

The responses to a Scottish government consultation on licensing animal activities called for clear standards of service and care, records of injuries and incidents, and guidance on how to raise concerns. You can use the same principles yourself. Ask for any injury or incident to be recorded and told to you the same day, and keep your own notes of what you raised and when.

If your dog is hurt or unwell, see your vet first, then deal with the contract. If the walker's insurance is relevant, tell them promptly and ask them to inform their insurer.

Book walking with someone who knows your dog

We provide dog walking, pet sitting and everyday care for owners in Bromley and Lewisham. We aim to match your dog with caregivers who build a real relationship with them, and you can follow your pet's care through our app.

If you want to talk about your dog's routine and see how we could help, start on the Roper and Paws home page. We also stock treats and chews, toys, beds and food in our shop, so you can pick up what your dog needs for its new routine. Browse dog treats and chews or dog toys and enrichment for something to welcome the walker with.

Choosing with confidence

The steps are straightforward. Check the paperwork, meet the walker with your dog, agree the details in writing, plan for emergencies and watch how your dog responds. A walker who welcomes each step is the one to trust.

Once you have found the right person, keep the relationship going: share changes in your dog's health, update the emergency sheet and give honest feedback. Our shop has everything for a smooth start, from leads and collars to treats and beds, at Roper and Paws.

FAQ

How much insurance should a dog walker have?

Dogs Trust says professional dog walkers should have third-party liability insurance. Check the policy for the number of dogs it permits and, if you have agreed it, cover for emergency veterinary fees. Ask to see the document rather than relying on a verbal assurance.

How many dogs should a walker take out at once?

The RSPCA recommends no more than four dogs at one time, within the walker's insurance limit and any local-authority rules. Wiltshire Council's approved-walker code sets a maximum of six or the lower insurance limit. Ask your walker for their own limit and check it against their policy.

Should I meet a dog walker before booking?

Yes. The Canine and Feline Sector Group says the walker should meet your dog first and agree its age, health, behaviour, fitness, cues and walk length with you. The meeting also lets you see how your dog reacts to them.

Is it safe to let my dog off lead with a walker?

Only with your prior written permission, and only if your dog recalls reliably and immediately. If recall is patchy, ask for lead-only walks. Fearful or reactive dogs should be walked alone on an appropriate lead.