Q. How can I trust your dog walkers?

A. In the last 10 years we have become experts in our field and we always strive to be the absolute best that we can be. We have rigorous hiring and training policies to make sure that we have the best possible team of dog walkers. Our co-owner and daily operations manager, Karen Alwerud, oversees and personally trains all of our dog walkers. All of our dog walkers are employees, not independent contractors, so they are all professionally trained according to our Zen Dog Method and Training Manual. Your dog and your home's safety is our top priority and we ensure that our dog walkers follow our detailed protocol. We have Workers Comp insurance and general liability insurance up to $1,000,000 in coverage through the Pet Sitter's Associates. Our reputation is extremely important to us, and we do everything possible to ensure that our clients and their dogs are happy and well cared for.

Q. Will I have the same dog walker every time?

A. We always do our best to ensure that you have two dog walkers that are your primary walkers, however, a lot of our dog walkers are students at local universities and their schedules may change. We will always let you know when a new dog walker will be arriving and give you a chance to meet them upon request. On the Handlr App you will be able to see the name and photo of your walker, GPS track them and receive photos and chat updates. One of the advantages of signing up with a dog walking boutique agency is that you will always be covered when life gets busy and we can almost always guarantee service within our hours of operation. Special requests for times outside of our usual hours of operation are possible too. Another advantage is that if one of our dog walkers has an emergency we will be able to cover your dog's care, so you will always have peace of mind when you are away.

Q. What if my dog is not great with other dogs or new people?

A. Our private dog walks are perfect for dogs who do not enjoy the company of other dogs. Several of our dogs experience stress from being leash reactive and we understand how to handle dogs that exhibit this behavior. All of our dog walkers are trained not approach other dogs while on a walk with your dog and are taught to keep respectful distances to keep all parties safe. If your dog is nervous or aggressive towards new people, we will determine the best course of action for taking care of your dog during the free consultation.

Q. Do I need to supply any special equipment for my dog?

A. For dogs that like to pull a lot or for dogs with leash reactivity you may be required to supply an Easy Walk Harness or a Halti Headcollar. This way your dog will stay safe on the walk by giving our walkers more control in a safe way. Please provide waste bags as well, just in case that our walker runs out. We may also ask that you supply your own treats (many dogs have sensitivity issues, so we refrain from feeding treats unless we have permission) and a treat bag if you would like us to help you work on your dog's training goals. 

Q. For in-home pet sitting, what should I supply for my dog and where will the pet sitter sleep?

A. Please provide detailed instructions on the Handlr App for taking care of your dog while you're away. Be sure to provide an emergency contact number, your vet's information, daily routine schedule, feeding instructions, medication instructions if needed, home security instructions, and any other instructions for taking good care of your home. Please provide your pet sitter with a guest room and clean sheets or a blow up mattress if needed. We will be happy to clean the sheets if you would like and your pet sitter will clean up after themselves and your pup before leaving.

Fill out the form above and click the "Submit" button. I will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you for your interest.

858.349.5700