What is the going rate for a dog walker?

Question

This is our first time hiring a dog walker and we're not sure what to pay. The person we picked is 15, and is walking 2 dogs before she goes to school in the morning. It's her first job. I don't want to pay too much...or too little. I have no idea! We were thinking $10/hr, but they only need a half hour walk, so that would be $5 a day, 5 days a week...comes out to $100 a month. Is that worth it to a 15 year old?

Answer 1

we pay a 15 yrs old $5 a day (sometimes 5 or 6 days a week)

Answer 2

You might want to consider more qualifications than a kid on the block. If nothing happens, no problem. But in case of an emergency (choking, run away, dog bite, dog fight, etc), a more experienced or qualified dog walker may be considered. It is nice to know they have taken the Red Cross course for dogs for example. Also, a quick dog walk may not be enough - good for relieving and for some mental stimulation, but not enough for real exercise and socialization. An hour at a dog play group or well run dog park may even be better (with an experienced professional dog walker). People who do it as a profession charge anywhere from 12 - 25 dollars a private half hour, or the same for a play group hour.

Answer 3

I pay $15 a day for 2 dogs. They go for a 1/2 hour walk and when they get home, she plays with the younger one for an additional 15 minutes or so.

My walker is a professional pet-sitter though - She's Insured, bonded, registered the with national Pet Sitters Registry, certified in animal first aid and very knowledgeable in training practices.

Answer 4

I worked as a dog walker last summer and it was $12 per 20 min walk - and $2 for each additional dog (Northern VA area) I'd pay her at least $8 a day :)

Answer 5

I want to pay $5 per dog and I have 3 dogs and it is a family member. What do you think