12 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Dog Walker

Most dog walker meet-and-greets follow the same script: the walker meets the dog, the dog seems fine with them, the owner relaxes, and the booking gets confirmed. What's missing from almost every one of those conversations are the questions that actually reveal whether a walker is equipped to handle the situations that matter.

1. What verification have you completed?

This is the most important question and the one most owners skip because the answer seems obvious ("they're on the app"). It isn't.

The range of verification between platforms is enormous. Some platforms accept a self-submitted government ID photo and no further checks. Others — TruePath included — require a Working With Children Check equivalent (police check for those working with vulnerable adults and animals), two non-family references that are actually called, and an in-person interview. Those are not the same thing.

Ask the walker directly: "What verification did you go through to join this platform?" A good walker can describe exactly what they submitted and what process they went through. A vague answer ("I went through their checks") means they either don't remember or it wasn't substantial.

2. Are you insured — and what exactly does it cover?

Public liability insurance for dog walkers is not standard in Australia. Some walkers carry it independently; some platforms cover it for all walks; some platforms offer it only as an opt-in or claim-based policy.

For any walker you're considering, ask:

• Is there public liability insurance covering walks?
• Who holds the policy — you or the platform?
• Is it active for every walk, or does it require a separate activation or claim process?
• Does it cover veterinary costs if my dog is injured during a walk?

"The platform has insurance" is not sufficient — ask who initiates the claim, what the cap is, and how quickly it's resolved. Mad Paws, for example, has its Premium Care product, but it's claim-based and requires documentation — it is not the same as automatic vet bill coverage.

3. What do you do if you have to cancel?

Cancellation is the most common practical failure in dog walking. Life happens — walkers get sick, have car trouble, have family emergencies. The question isn't whether cancellations ever happen. It's what the walker does when they do.

A good answer: "I have a network of trusted walkers I can call to cover. I'd contact you as soon as I knew and make sure coverage was arranged. If it was my fault and nothing could be arranged, you'd get a full refund immediately."

A bad answer: "I'd let you know and you could rebook." That leaves your dog unwalked and you scrambling.

TruePath walkers are covered by platform cancellation policy — if a walk is cancelled by the walker, it's refunded automatically. For any privately-arranged or differently-structured booking, you need to ask this directly.

4. What parks and routes do you use in this area?

Experienced walkers in your suburb know the off-leash parks, their hours, and their quirks. An inexperienced walker knows "there's a park nearby."

Ask for the name of the specific parks they'd take your dog to. Ask whether they know the off-leash hours. In Sydney, ask about Centennial Park's zone rules. In Melbourne, ask about the specific off-leash section of Princes Park or Fawkner Park. In Brisbane, ask about Orleigh Park.

A walker who answers with specific park names, hours, and a note about which sections they prefer shows they actually walk in your area, not just near it.

5. How many dogs do you walk at the same time — and do you cap it?

This question reveals a lot. A solo walk should be exactly that — your dog and the walker, no one else. A group walk is fine at 3–6 dogs; beyond 6, individual supervision becomes inadequate.

Some walkers don't have a firm cap and will add dogs to a group as long as people keep booking. Ask directly: "How many dogs do you walk at once, and what's your maximum?" If they're vague or don't have a clear maximum, probe further.

Also ask: "If this is a group walk, how do you screen which dogs come together?" Compatibility matters — a dog that's fine with familiar dogs but reactive to strangers doesn't belong in a group with a new dog without an introduction period.

6. What happens if my dog escapes or goes missing?

This question makes most walkers slightly uncomfortable. That's okay — it should be asked anyway.

A prepared walker has a specific answer: "I'd call you immediately, stay at the last known point, call [platform emergency line or local ranger], and activate the GPS tracking log from the walk to establish the dog's last position."

An unprepared walker will say something like "I'd look for them" without specifics. The level of preparation in the answer corresponds directly to how seriously they've thought about the responsibility they're taking on.

7. What's your first aid knowledge for dogs?

Australian walkers don't have a legal requirement to hold any canine first aid certification. But experience and preparation matter.

At minimum, a professional walker should be able to answer: "What do you do if you suspect a snakebite?" The correct answer includes: don't let the dog walk (carry them), apply a pressure bandage above the bite if accessible, call the owner and the nearest emergency vet simultaneously, and transport immediately. In Queensland and NSW, also: know the nearest 24-hour vet to your regular walking routes before an emergency occurs.

Similarly ask: "What do you do if my dog gets into a fight with another dog and is bitten?" The answer should involve immediate separation, assessment of wounds, calling the owner, and knowing when a wound needs same-day veterinary attention versus can be monitored.

8. How do you handle my dog if they pull hard, lunge, or react?

This question applies to reactive dogs specifically, but it's worth asking for any dog — even mild leash-pullers.

Good answers involve specific techniques: loose-lead walking cues, BAT (Behaviour Adjustment Training) principles for reactive dogs, using distance to manage arousal, or knowing when to change route rather than push through a trigger. The walker doesn't need to be a certified trainer, but they should have a practical approach rather than "I'd just keep walking."

A red flag: "I'm firm with them." That tells you nothing about technique and may indicate an approach based on physical correction rather than management.

9. How will you communicate with me during and after walks?

Communication habits matter more for long-term relationships. Ask:

• Will I get a photo during the walk?
• How do I receive the post-walk report?
• How quickly do you typically respond to messages?
• If something notable happens during the walk, do you call me or send a message?

TruePath walkers send photo updates mid-walk and a written report via the app after every walk. If you're using a private arrangement, establish communication expectations before the first walk — not after the third one where you've heard nothing.

10. What do you do if my dog doesn't eat their post-walk meal or seems unwell after a walk?

This reveals whether a walker thinks about the dog's wellbeing beyond the walk itself.

A good answer: "I'd include it in the walk notes and follow up directly if it seemed significant. If there were other signs — vomiting, lethargy, reluctance to move — I'd call you immediately and recommend a vet visit."

A walker who says "I'd just mention it next time" is not tracking the dog's broader health signals.

11. Have you ever walked a dog with [your dog's specific need]?

Fill in your dog's specific situation: reactive to other dogs, on daily medication, recovering from surgery, elderly with arthritis, a specific breed with known quirks (like the prey drive of a Whippet or the stubbornness of a Dachshund).

Direct experience isn't always required — but the walker should at minimum have thought about how they'd handle it. "I haven't, but here's how I'd approach it" is more reassuring than "I've handled everything, no worries" with no specifics.

12. What would make you decide to stop walking a dog?

This is the question that reveals the walker's limits and honesty.

An experienced walker has a clear answer: aggression toward other dogs without warning, resource guarding that makes group walks unsafe, severe separation anxiety that makes the walk distressing rather than beneficial for the dog, or a medical condition outside their competency.

A walker who says "I'd walk any dog" is either telling you what they think you want to hear, or doesn't have the experience to know their own limits. Both are concerning.

The meet-and-greet is also for your dog

All 12 questions matter. But watch your dog's behaviour for the first 3 minutes of the meet-and-greet too. A dog that stays tense, won't approach, or actively retreats from the walker is giving you information. It may be temperament-based (some dogs take time with everyone), or it may be specific to this person. Either way, it's data.

Most dogs that will get along well with a walker approach within 1–2 minutes and engage — sniffing hands, relaxing posture, taking a treat if offered. A dog that won't engage after 5 minutes is a signal worth pausing on.

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Frequently asked questions

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What if my dog doesn't like the walker at the meet-and-greet?

Do I need to check references myself or does the platform do it?

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