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Step 1
Make sure you ask for references. If you have a great meeting with a potential dog walker, ask for some references from other people they've worked for. They should be more than willing to provide those names. Then take the time to call their past clients and ask about their experience.
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Step 2
Check with your vet about your potential dog walker. Many people who are in the "dog community" have relationships with several vets. Not only do they most likely have their own dogs, but also they probably run errands for others like taking their pets to the vet. Check to see if your vet knows the potential dog walker.
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Step 3
Run a criminal background check. This may seem a bit extreme, but if someone is new, starting out and you want to give them a chance, but you just haven't seen them around enough, make sure they do not have a criminal history. Many breeds of dogs are quite expensive. Sadly, there is a black market for these stolen dogs.
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Step 4
Observe the potential dog walker on an actual walk. This will take a bit of your keen spy sense, but what better way to see how the dog walker treats the dog, but by observing the process. If you know the dog walker takes a certain route, then have coffee across the street. This will allow you to see how he or she truly handles the dogs.
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Step 5
Ask questions pertinent to the dog's experience before hiring the walker. Will your dog be with similar sized dogs? Are there other kinds of pets around? Ask if the potential dog walker is trained in first aid and if they have been trained in obedience training, which they can impart to an out of control dog.
