How much should I pay a child to walk my dog? Let’s Explore

Cost of Dog Walking Per Day

Most dogs get one 20- to 30-minute walk per day for $20 to $30, with younger and more active dogs needing two or three. Your cost per day will depend on the number of walks, the length of time of each, and if your dog is sharing the walk with the dog walker’s other clients’ dogs.

Dog walkers usually charge $30 to $60 per hour, although they don’t usually walk dogs for an hour, preferring to stick with the 20- or 30-minute walks. You can often find dog walkers willing to walk your dog for less than more experienced walkers so they can get reviews on their site, for prices beginning at $10 per walk.

Dog walkers charge an average of $0.50 to $1.00 per minute which means an average 20-minute walk will cost $10 to $20, while a longer 30-minute walk will run $15 to $30. Dog walkers are happy to give you discounts when you purchase ongoing service.

If you can’t walk your dog during the week and want him/her walked at least once a day, many dog walkers are happy to give you a weekly or monthly 10%–30% discount.

Dog Walking Rates Per Week & Month

Length	10% discount	20% discount	30% discount
One Walk Per Day
Weekly rate	$90	$80	$70
Monthly rate	$360	$320	$280
Two Walks Per Day
Weekly rate	$180	$160	$140
Monthly rate	$720	$640	$650

Dog walkers charge based on the number of dogs you have, the number of walks purchased, and their distance away from you.

Number of Dogs

Number of Walks

Travel Costs

Joining other dogs – You can find discounts if you don’t mind your dog walking with other dogs. Expect $5-$10 off the cost of your dog’s walk if s/he joins others.

You have more than one dog – Some dog walkers don’t charge extra if you have more than one dog to walk. Others charge $2–$4 more, or 50% of the cost for the second dog.

Not so much at a per-walk rate but as a package deal, you can get a significant 10%–30% discount if you pay for three to ten walks at a time up front.

If you’d rather have a dog walker come to your home from a distance, expect to be charged $1–$2 per mile if you’re more than ten miles away from the dog owner’s business location.

Dog Walker Updates – You can get updates about your dog’s walk as he goes around the block, and capture his demeanor once he gets home, thanks to some dog walkers taking photos and video and texting or e-mailing them to you. Many of the newer dog walkers offer this and include it in the basic cost.

Pickup and Drop-Off – When your dog needs exercise, you’re not even limited to finding a dog walker who walks your dog around the block; you can also find some who will pick up your dog and take him to an off-leash park or a fenced, large dog park for an hour or two, and then drop him home. Pickup and drop-off costs about $45 per hour.

Home Care – Some dog walking services will also play, water, feed, treat, and give meds to your dog; and also bring in your mail, water your plants, turn lights on and off, and send you a report card on how your dog is doing while you’re away. They charge approximately $0.52–$1/minute for the services combined, pet sitting or walking your dog for up to three 20-minute visits a day.

Yard Pickup – Some dog walking services will pick up all dog waste in your yard for $15–$20.

Late Hours – $5 more for any walks after 7 or 8 p.m.

Late Request – $10 extra for any last-minute requests (24-hour window).

Memberships – The dog walkers you may feel better about hiring are those who are bonded and insured members of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. One of the more basic certifications for dog trainers is in teaching the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen test.

Insurance – Hiring an insured dog walker means that if your dog hurts himself on the walk or does any property damage while with the dog walker, the insurance will cover it.

Pet Health – Ask the dog walkers you interview if they know pet CPR and first aid.

Experience – The longer dog walkers have been walking dogs for, the better they’ll be at administering meds and knowing what your dog needs. Ask about a meet and greet to see if your dog likes his future walker and to prep the walker about any idiosyncrasies your dog has.

A meet and greet with your puppy is usually complimentary upon signing up, but here are some extra fees to look out for:

Expect to pay an additional $5–$10 extra per walk if you want your dog walked on a significant holiday.

Based on the size and age of your dog, behavior training prices start at $10 extra per 20-minute walk, and the total cost depends on the amount of training needed. If you’re concerned about your dog’s behavioral issues, your dog will be much safer with a trained dog walker who knows how to deal with a dog that gets off leash or if s/he’s attacked by another off-leash dog.

Ask your dog walker about additional fees for specific breeds, but this should not be necessary if your dog walker is competent and trained to deal with behavioral issues.

In New York City, dog walkers tend to charge more with average costs ranging from $30 to $40 for a medium 30-minute walk, while hour long walks with your puppy run $60 per hour. Your fees will depend on how many dogs will be walked and for how long.

Get free estimates on HomeGuide from trusted dog walkers:

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The amount paid depends on the time taken to walk your dog

When I researched this topic online, a lot of sites gave rough payments for dog walks that clearly assumed an adult would provide the service. These ranged from $10-$35 per walk depending on length. The rule of thumb is for three prices to be given, for:

Thirty-minute walks obviously cost less than hour-long walks across the board.

Fifteen-minute walks are cheaper still. Many people refer to these as pee break walks. However, shorter walks can be pricier pro rata, i.e. $20 for 30 minutes and $30 for an hour, for example.

Of course, a child is going to receive less than this because of their age. Ten dollars per walk cropped up regularly in many personal experiences I read about. However, it does depend on the time taken.

If you ask a child to walk your dog for 30 minutes a time twice a week, you’d probably be fine paying them around $20 per week for the service. Twenty dollars is a lot for a child to have each week.

Make sure you get prior approval from their parents too. Let them know your plans – how much you are paying, when the walks should occur, and how to reach you if need be.

How much should a 12 year old charge for dog walking?

How much should a teen dog walk cost? Most teenagers seem to be paid $10–$20 per day, depending on the area. If the teen lives close to you, this could include multiple visits a day and is a very good value.

Pricing Guide for Pet Sitting and Dog Walking