🐕 The Pros and Cons of Professional Dog Walking
I've been a dog walker for about nine years now. I can't believe how time flies when you're having fun! I wanted to discuss the pros and cons of being a dog walker—because, trust me, there's a lot to it.
🐶 The Good Stuff: Why Dog Walking Is Amazing
One of the best parts of this job is the beautiful relationships you create with the amazing dogs out there and their awesome fur parents. In the best-case scenario, you get to see the same dogs every Monday through Friday, building an awesome bond with a furry friend while also developing a great relationship over time with their owners.
Most of the time, your clients are super friendly, responsible pet parents who genuinely want the best for their pups. They recognize that leaving their dog home all day without a bathroom break isn't fair, so they hire us to step in. But, of course, there’s always the occasional client who is overly demanding about every little detail—or the one who has 20 cameras monitoring your every move. I get that security is important, but 20 cameras? Feels a bit much. 🕵️♂️
The dogs themselves are typically great. Usually they are amazingly well-trained, hungry for treats, fluffy and well groomed, and eager for their daily walks with you. But of course, with every amazing dog, there is the opposite side of the spectrum. Those who have never been trained in their life, pulling you in every direction, making each walk an upper-body workout and a potentially dangerous situation. But with the right skills you can do it! 💪 And let’s not forget the dogs with chronic stomach issues. No matter how many times you tell their owners about their pup’s digestive problems, they keep feeding them human food. We get it, doggos love human food, I mean I sure do love it myself. 🍗 With food comes... picking up poop and you have to understand picking up poop is just part of the job—you get used to it. But dealing with constant diarrhea? That takes some getting used to. 💩
🚶 Getting to Know the Neighborhood
Over the past nine years, I've had the pleasure of walking some dogs consistently for the last seven years straight, and wow, I've really gotten to know the neighbors. Not just the neighbors but I've watched buildings get torn down, demolished, and then rebuilt back up into a hug apartment building. Watching construction workers do their thing from start to finish is kind of amazing. The best part, as long as the dog you're walking is friendly, you get to make new friends—furry ones and humans alike. It's so nice getting to know the local community members around you. I've even made some new best friends and awesome connections along the way. If you're one of them and reading this then thank you so much for being apart of my daily life and being that neighbor who says the friendly "hello" back. There are some truly amazing people out there. However, there's also the occasional crazy person, dangerous situation, car crash that happens, and epic squirrel rivalries that always love to taunt the dog and me. Walking around in Chicago all day, you could imagine you really get to see a lot. But the good moments make it all worth it, I'v learned it takes a bit of effort to go out of your way and say hi, but wow, the dogs appreciate making friends, and so do I. 🐕🤝
📅 The Challenge of Unpredictable Scheduling
The best clients are the ones who commit to a Monday-Friday schedule. Of course, we have to be flexible for our clients, and I'm happy to do so! However, sometimes that flexibility gets taken advantage of for dog walkers. Frequent cancellations can be frustrating. Imagine if your full-time job constantly told you, "Hey, we actually don’t need you this Friday," and then send you home without pay. Budgeting and financial planning go out the window when this happens too often. 💸
🚨 Safety and Handling Unexpected Situations
One of the biggest challenges as a dog walker is dealing with the unexpected. From off-leash dogs charging at your pup to navigating busy intersections safely, being prepared for anything is crucial. I've been very lucky and smart with safety, you should always make an effort to double-check leashes and collars. Being in the industry for so long I've heard of moments where a dog slipped out of its harness and bolted. "Knock-On-Wood" I'm happy to say this has never happened at Sparky Steps! Having backup leashes, knowing how to properly secure a harness, and staying alert at all times can make a huge difference. 🦮🔒
Medical emergencies are another thing you have to be ready for. Sometimes dogs eat things they shouldn’t, or they suddenly start limping mid-walk. Knowing basic pet first aid, keeping emergency vet numbers handy, and staying calm in stressful situations are all part of the job. The more you prepare, the better you’ll handle whatever comes your way. 🆘🐾 This is why hiring a qualified experienced dog walker is important! (Let me know if you need some help in Chicago; I am happy to walk your pup)!
Helpful Resources:
🧘 Self-Care and Avoiding Burnout
Walking dogs all day sounds like a dream—and for the most part, it is—but the physical and mental toll is real. Long hours on your feet, extreme weather conditions, and the emotional investment in each dog can wear you down. Hydration, proper footwear, and stretching are essential to keeping your body from breaking down. 💦👟
Mentally, it's important to set boundaries. Some clients might expect 24/7 availability, but you have to protect your time. Learning to say no, taking rest days, and finding small moments to recharge will keep you in this profession for the long run. 🛌
❄️ The Weather: A Love-Hate Relationship
Being outdoors is one of the greatest perks of this job. When the weather is perfect—the sun shining, a gentle breeze blowing, flowers blooming—it’s incredible. You get to experience the seasons changing right before your eyes. 🌞🍁
But then winter in Chicago happens. Negative twenty degrees, blistering winds, and icy sidewalks? Not so fun. Or those days when it’s pouring rain, and you have to towel off a soaked dog before returning them home. It’s tough, no doubt, but at the end of the day, I still prefer spending my time outside with my furry friends rather than being stuck in an office. 🌧️🐶
💛 Love and Learning to Let Go
As we all know, our pets are amazing. One thing I've had to learn in this profession is mastering the ability to say goodbye. Sometimes a client no longer needs you due to work schedule changes, and other times, it’s the hardest goodbye—when a beloved dog falls ill and their parents have to make the difficult decision to let them go. It never gets easier, but it has taught me to be deeply grateful for the time we have with our loved ones, both human and furry. RIP to all our furry friends that have passed, dogs and cats alike; I always thank them for being a part of our lives; it was always a blessing to have known them, and I miss each and every one of them to this day. We never truly know when someone we love will be gone, so cherishing every moment is essential. 🐾❤️
🐕🦺 Final Thoughts
There are plenty of pros and cons to being a professional dog walker, but for me, the pros outweigh the cons. If you’re in Chicago and need a reliable dog walker, feel free to reach out to us. Thanks for reading! 🙏
- Michael Jaurigue
Sparky Steps LLC