Seven questions worth asking before you hire a dog walker (and what good answers sound like)

Finding a dog walker feels straightforward until you start doing it. There are hundreds of people in Bristol offering the service, prices vary enormously, and almost every profile says the same things: trusted, reliable, passionate about dogs. None of that helps you decide.

Here are the seven questions worth asking, and what an honest, confident answer actually looks like.

1. Will you meet my dog before the first walk?

A good walker will say yes without hesitation. This meet and greet is not a formality, it tells you whether the walker is genuinely interested in your dog's individual personality and whether your dog is comfortable with them. If the answer is no, or if it's presented as optional, that is a meaningful signal.

2. How many dogs do you walk at once?

The industry standard maximum is four dogs. Some walkers will tell you six or eight is fine. It is not fine. Above four dogs, individual attention becomes impossible and safety becomes genuinely harder to manage, particularly with mixed temperaments. Ask for a specific number and ask whether it ever goes higher.

3. Are you insured and DBS checked?

Both of these are non-negotiable. Public liability insurance protects you if your dog is involved in an incident on a walk. A DBS check is a criminal background check, important because this person will have a key to your home. Ask to see the certificates if you are in any doubt.

4. What happens if something goes wrong on a walk?

Listen for whether they have a plan or whether they improvise an answer on the spot. A good walker will have a named vet they work with, a pet first aid qualification, and a clear protocol for contacting you. Vagueness here is a red flag.

5. Will I get updates after every walk?

Photo updates and a brief note after every walk are now standard among professional walkers. If someone says they'll send updates 'when they remember' or 'most of the time', you will spend every walk day checking your phone. Ask whether updates are guaranteed, not occasional.

6. What happens if you're ill or unavailable?

This question matters more than most people realise until the day it becomes relevant. Does the walker have a cover arrangement? Will they contact you in advance or on the morning? A professional service has a plan for this. An individual who has not thought about it will let you down eventually.

7. Can I speak to a current client?

Not a written review, a real conversation. Any walker worth hiring will be happy to put you in touch with a current client. If the answer is hesitant or deflected, read that carefully.

The right walker will answer all seven of these questions without hesitation and with specifics, not generalities. If any answer feels vague or defensive, trust that instinct. You are handing over your house key and your most emotionally significant possession. The bar should be high.