Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Dog Walker

🎯 Role Definition

The Dog Walker is responsible for providing safe, reliable, and enriching exercise and socialization for client dogs while maintaining clear client communication, strict safety practices, and accurate record-keeping. This role includes leading on- and off-leash walks, monitoring canine health and behavior, administering simple medications and feedings when required, and acting as a trusted representative of the pet care service in clients' homes and neighborhoods. Successful candidates combine strong canine handling skills, professionalism, time management, and customer service — optimized for retention of repeat clients and strong local reputation.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Volunteer or employee at an animal shelter or rescue
Pet sitter or kennel assistant
Part-time dog daycare attendant or pet retail associate

Advancement To:

Lead or Senior Dog Walker
Pet Care Coordinator / Scheduler
Dog Daycare Manager or Operations Supervisor
Certified Dog Trainer or Canine Behavior Specialist
Small business owner / professional pet care entrepreneur

Lateral Moves:

Pet Sitter
In-home Pet Care Provider
Dog Daycare Attendant
Veterinary Assistant (with additional training)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Plan and conduct individual and group dog walks of varying lengths (30–90+ minutes) tailored to each dog’s age, breed, health status, and energy level, ensuring exercise goals are met while minimizing stress and injury.
Safely handle leashes, harnesses, and hands-on restraint for dogs of all sizes and temperaments, using positive, calm techniques to manage reactivity, pulling, or fear responses during urban and rural walks.
Perform pre-walk safety checks — securing collars/harnesses, inspecting leash hardware, checking for injuries or abnormalities, and verifying client-specific care instructions and contact details before leaving.
Monitor dogs continuously for signs of heat stress, exhaustion, injury, parasites, or illness during walks and respond immediately with first-aid measures, cooling/rest breaks, or emergency contact procedures per client and company protocols.
Administer prescribed oral medications, topical treatments, or special feeding instructions during scheduled visits, accurately following dosage, timing, and documentation requirements provided by clients.
Facilitate controlled, supervised socialization with other dogs or people when appropriate, including accurate assessment of compatibility and removal from interactions that risk conflict or distress.
Maintain clean and sanitary walk equipment and client spaces used during visits; carry and properly dispose of pet waste in compliance with local laws and client preferences.
Keep detailed, timely logs for each client visit — including walk duration, route, behavior notes, bathroom activity, appetite, medication given, and any incidents or property observations — delivered via text, email, or the company app.
Follow pre-planned routes and adapt dynamically for weather, construction, or other environmental hazards while maximizing safety and enrichment opportunities such as scent work and varied terrain.
Safeguard client keys, access codes, and home entry procedures with strict confidentiality and documented handling policies; lock doors and secure premises after visits as required.
Provide basic grooming support during walks and visits (e.g., wiping paws, removing burrs, light brushing) where permitted and requested by clients to maintain pet comfort between full grooming sessions.
Transport dogs safely to and from designated meeting points, vet appointments, or daycare facilities using approved carriers, vehicle restraints, and sanitation practices where pet transportation is part of the role.
Educate clients proactively on observed behavior trends, health concerns, and enrichment recommendations, escalating to supervisors or veterinarians when medical or behavioral issues are detected.
Coordinate scheduling, route optimization, and client cancellations to maintain punctuality and route efficiency for maximized client coverage and reduced turnover time between visits.
Enforce and comply with municipal pet ordinances, leash laws, and property rules, representing the company professionally in neighborhoods and public spaces to maintain positive community relationships.
Conduct short behavior checks and light training reinforcement during walks (sit, recall practice, walking calmly on a loose leash) as directed by clients or service protocols to support overall obedience and safety.
Respond to after-hours emergencies and urgent client communications per company policy, documenting outcomes and follow-up actions for continuity of care and client reassurance.
Assist new client onboarding by conducting initial meet-and-greets, gathering health and behavior history, and performing trial walks to assess compatibility and inform care plans.
Use mobile apps, GPS trackers, and time-stamped check-in tools to confirm pick-up/drop-off times and provide real-time updates to clients for transparency and trust-building.
Maintain professional appearance, punctuality, and courteous communication while visiting clients’ homes, delivering exceptional customer service and building long-term client relationships.
Identify opportunities for upselling or cross-selling additional services (pet sitting, overnight care, basic grooming, training sessions) in a consultative, client-first manner while following company sales guidelines.

Secondary Functions

Maintain accurate client profiles, medication logs, and vaccination status records in the company CRM or scheduling platform.
Support route planning and efficiency improvements by sharing on-the-ground insights about neighborhood access, safe off-leash areas, and walk timing preferences.
Assist the operations team with supply inventory management (leashes, waste bags, first-aid kits) and request replenishment when stock runs low.
Participate in periodic team meetings, training sessions, and ride-alongs to standardize safety procedures and share behavioral observations.
Help resolve scheduling conflicts and escalate client concerns to senior staff to ensure continuity of care and quality assurance.
Contribute content for client-facing resources (walk summaries, enrichment tips, local dog park guides) to improve SEO presence and client engagement.
Support light in-home tasks while dogs are on property (bringing in mail, watering plants, following client instructions) as an added service where permitted.
Adhere to and help refine emergency action plans, including local vet contacts, animal poison control numbers, and authorized emergency decision-makers for each client.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient canine handling and leash-control techniques for reactive, large-breed, and small-breed dogs.
Knowledge of basic animal first aid and canine CPR; certification preferred (e.g., Pet First Aid).
Ability to administer oral medications and topical treatments accurately and document administration.
Familiarity with common canine behaviors, body language cues, and de-escalation strategies to prevent bites or fights.
Experience with GPS tracking, route optimization apps, scheduling and booking software, and digital client reporting systems.
Competence in safe pet transportation procedures, including use of crates, car harnesses, and sanitation protocols.
Understanding of local leash laws, public-space regulations, and pet waste disposal compliance.
Basic grooming skills (paw cleaning, mat removal, brushing) to maintain pet comfort during outings.
Physical ability to handle dogs up to the maximum weight specified by the employer (lifting, restraining, and controlling during emergencies).
Record-keeping skills for documenting visits, incidents, medication logs, and client instructions accurately.

Soft Skills

Exceptional reliability and punctuality with strong time-management skills to adhere to tight walk schedules.
Clear, friendly, and professional client communication both written (app notes, texts, emails) and verbal.
High level of empathy and patience when working with anxious or elderly dogs and sensitive clients.
Situational awareness and strong observational skills to identify subtle changes in pet health or behavior.
Problem-solving mindset and calmness under pressure when faced with unexpected weather, injuries, or behavioral incidents.
Trustworthiness and discretion handling client home access, keys, and personal property.
Customer-service orientation focused on building long-term client relationships and positive reviews.
Flexibility with schedule changes, last-minute bookings, and occasional weekend or holiday coverage.
Team collaboration skills for coordinating routes and sharing pertinent client or neighborhood information.
Sales-oriented mindset to recommend additional services that improve pet welfare and client satisfaction.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:
High school diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Education:
Certifications or coursework in animal behavior, dog training, pet first aid/CPR, or veterinary assistance programs.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Animal Science
Veterinary Technology / Assistant programs
Canine Behavior & Training
Hospitality or Customer Service-related coursework

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:
6 months to 3 years of hands-on dog walking, pet sitting, kennel, daycare, or shelter experience.

Preferred:
2+ years of professional dog walking or in-home pet care experience, with documented client references and demonstrable experience handling multiple dogs and emergency situations.