Can you see yourself walking dogs on Wag?
Whether you’re looking for a flexible side gig, a fun way to exercise, or just some quality time with dogs, popular pet care app Wag makes it easy to become a dog walker.
Here’s what you need to know about how it works and how to become a Wag dog walker on your schedule.
What Is Wag! and How Does It Work for Dog Walkers?
Wag is an online pet care marketplace that matches pet owners looking for dog walkers, sitters, and more with pet pros in their area.
Dog walkers set their hours for on-demand walks (aka, I’d like a walk in a few hours) or pre-booked walks (aka, I’d like a walk in a few days or weeks). From there, you can either bid on walk requests or wait for the app to match you with a job. Then you accept the request, get the details, show up, provide great care, and get paid through the Wag app.
Wag is the second-biggest pet care app in the US after Rover. Is it first in your book? If you’re considering which pet care platform to try, we have your research covered:
- Check out our Wag app review to see how dog walkers feel about their experience at Wag.
- Weigh the pros and cons of each app with our complete Wag vs. Rover comparison.
What Makes a Great Wag! Dog Walker?
You need to meet a few basic requirements to become a Wag dog walker:
- Are you at least 18 years old?
- Are you a US permanent resident?
- Can you legally work in the US?
- Could you pass a background check and pay an application fee?
Then you qualify to walk dogs for Wag! The app doesn’t require formal pet care experience or certifications, so it’s an easy way to break into dog walking if you’re just starting out.
4 Things Successful Wag Walkers Share
Although not a deal breaker, these extra qualities will help you stand out from the pack:
- Dog walking experience. Wag doesn’t require dog walking experience, but pet parents are more likely to book you if you can show that you’ve walked dogs before and understand pet care and safety basics.
- Endorsements. Wag suggests adding at least five endorsements (testimonials) to your profile to vouch for your pet care skills. Friends, family, neighbors, or even a local animal shelter would make a great endorsement if you offer free walks in exchange for an honest review.
- Insurance. Wag doesn’t require pet care insurance to walk dogs, but you take a big chance without it. We’ll come back to how to protect yourself in case of accidents.
- Independence. Wag walkers are 1099 contractors (not Wag employees), so your hours and prices are up to you! Because you can bid for on-demand walks or wait for pet owners to request you, the more proactive you are, the more money you’ll make.
The Quick Sign-Up & Profile Setup That Gets You Booked Fast
Wag keeps the application and startup process streamlined for dog walkers. Most Wag walkers say they registered in a few minutes and spent an hour or two setting up their profile and finishing the rest of their application tasks.
1. Go to the Become a Dog Walker with Wag page, fill out your info, and click Get Started
2. Submit your application (required) and provide endorsements (optional)
3. Pass a background check
4. Pass a basic, 10-question dog safety quiz
5. Download the Wag! Pet Caregiver app
6. Complete a test “walk”
7. Set up a Stripe account to get paid
8. Optimize your Wag! Pet Caregiver profile with photos, availability, and more
Average application approval time: 14 days, according to Wag.
Navigate the Wag! Background Check Without Breaking a Sweat
An essential step in becoming a dog walker on Wag is passing a background check. This shows dog owners you’re safe to trust. Costs vary — Wag walkers report anywhere from $25 to $65 on Reddit — but the most common background check fee reported is about $49.95. (Note: it’s non-refundable if your application isn’t accepted.)
Completing your background check is as easy as supplying basic personal info through Vetty (name and aliases, past addresses, etc.) and paying the fee. Background checks can take Vetty up to 14 business days to clear, so Wag’s Background Check Portal lets you monitor progress.
Common Wag! Application Questions Answered
What’s on the Wag dog safety quiz?
The dog safety quiz will ask 10 questions about using your Wag account, Wag features, and keeping pets safe during care. You can find everything you need to study in the Wag Safety Center learning resources.
What if I fail the quiz the first time?
It’s totally fine! You can take the quiz as many times as you need to until you pass. But you won’t be able to move your application forward until you do.
What is the Wag test walk?
The test “walk” during your application process isn’t a real walk — it’s just a tutorial for using the app. You can complete it anytime, anywhere, and you don’t need a dog to do it. The test walk shows you an example walk with pictures and instructions for app features like sending updates or starting and ending walks.
How do Wag walkers get paid?
Download the Wag app during your application process. It will prompt you to set up a Stripe payment account. Provide your email, phone number, and banking info to set up direct deposit.
Wag dog walkers get paid twice weekly on Wednesdays and Fridays for any walks they complete during that pay period. Want your pay sooner? Use Instant Pay for a $1.99 fee.
Are there any account fees or commission fees on Wag?
Wag takes a 40% commission fee from every walk you book to advertise your profile on their site. A basic Wag account is free, but you can upgrade to a pro account for a one-time fee of $149 (new Wag walkers) or $129 (approved Wag walkers). Benefits of a Wag! Pro account include priority profile placement in search and more bidding freedom.
Does Wag allow tipping?
Yes, Wag lets pet owners tip you through the app, though not all of them will. Since you can set your own prices, make sure you’re factoring in the 40% commission and not counting too much on tips to stay profitable.
Pro Tip: Wag has lots more dog walker tips on its blog and the Wag support center. You can also check pet pro forums like r/WagWalker for a broader picture from other dog walkers.
Tips for a Wag! Profile That Scores Clients
Pet parents can let the app match them with a walker or look through available options in their area. How will they know if you’re the right walker for them? Your profile.
A Wag profile includes a few key parts, and writing one that shows you’re a trustworthy, reliable, and friendly professional takes some thought. Here are some tips for every section to create a top-earning profile.
- Contact info: Your name and first initial, location, and reviews will populate here.
- Catchphrase: Grab pet parents’ attention with a short statement that expresses your qualifications, specialities, or experience as a dog walker.
Need help with your Wag catchphrase? Ask Chat GPT to brainstorm a few in a warm and friendly tone that will appeal to dog lovers. Here are a few examples to spark your creativity or guide your AI prompt:
- “Constantly covered in dog hair.”
- “Punctual, reliable, and always carrying poop bags.”
- “Because every good dog deserves a great walk.”
- “From puppies to seniors — patient, caring walks for all.”
- Profile photo: Choose a friendly, well-lit photo of yourself (if you have a photo of you holding a happy pup, even better!). Your goal is to look approachable yet professional.
- Stats: Statistics about how many services you’ve completed, repeat bookings, and other helpful details for pet parents will auto-generate on your profile. These will look better and better the longer you stick with it.
- Bio: Summarize what makes you such a great dog walker into a few sentences. Talk about your experience with dogs — maybe you volunteered at a shelter, or you’ve been walking dogs for years — or share qualifications like courses and certifications.
- Specialties: You can choose from a list of specialties that help pet parents decide whether you’re a good fit for their dog’s needs. Don’t just select every option. Specializing helps attract exactly the kind of walks and clients you want.
- Achievements: Your achievement badges will auto-populate as you earn them. After you complete walks, pet parents can award you badges for outstanding care, or you can earn badges for completing special events or working during the holidays.
- Availability: A calendar will appear on your profile to let pet parents know which days you’re available. Keep your schedule updated regularly with any changes.
- Services and prices: Wag lets you set your own prices and services. It’s a good idea to check the rates charged by other dog walkers with similar experience in your area to make sure you’re not asking too much or too little.
- Reviews and endorsements: This is where pet parents leave ratings after walks are completed (and where your initial endorsements will appear when you first sign up).
Pro tip: Optimize your profile for max visibility with the Wag walker hacks below.
Make sure your profile is set to public
Public profiles make your complete info visible to clients in searches. You can toggle your public profile off later if you want to pause in accepting bookings.
Ask for reviews and repeat bookings
In the comment section of your Wag Report Cards, suggest booking a repeat walk or leaving a review. Wag relies heavily on reviews to promote profiles.
Be honest about services & availability
Set only the hours and specialties matching jobs you’ll actually accept. This helps you attract your ideal clients and gives you a good reputation with the Wag platform.
Direct traffic to your profile with social media
Wag gives you a unique promo code for a free first walk. Create a social media account for dog-walking photos, and drop your code in the bio. Hello referrals!
Update your profile and calendar regularly
Keep adjusting your profile to see what works best and update it with any new skills, qualifications, or hours. You can edit your Wag profile anytime through the app.
High walk acceptance rates get you more gigs
The Wag algorithm picks the dog walkers most likely to respond and provide a good walk for new walk requests. A big part of that is high walk acceptance rates.
Master Your First Wag! Walk & Gain Repeat Clients
After setting up your profile and getting your application approved, you’re officially ready to accept walks! Refer back to the test walk (it lives in your “booked” walks on the app) for how to use the app to complete the walk process. Here are the basic steps:
- Bid on a walk request or accept a direct booking.
- View the details of the job, like location, time, and preferences.
- Communicate with pet parents for any additional info (like where to find a key or special notes about dog behaviors).
- Travel to the appointment and check in for your walk in the app to start the clock and turn on GPS tracking.
- Complete your walk, and officially end the walk in the app.
- Fill out a walk report card detailing how the walk went and leaving a friendly, professional note for pet parents.
- Get paid via Stripe with a direct deposit during the next billing cycle.
Pro Tip: Wag walkers suggest officially starting the walk in the app only when the dog is leashed and you’re out the door.
If you have trouble getting into a home or an accident stops you from taking the walk after you officially started it, the client will still be billed and might leave a negative review on your profile.
Turn One-Time Walks into Repeat Bookings
Getting paid for one walk is great. A client who’s loyal to you and books recurring, regular walks every week is better. The key to turning one-time clients into repeat customers is building a relationship with them and their dog. Here are a few ideas for how to become a dog walker on Wag with a healthy, happy client base:
Go beyond basics in the walk report card
Don’t just say the walk was good. Use their dog’s name. Talk about something funny, cute, or important that happened, or a walk behavior their pup worked on today (like pulling or reactivity).
Share photos of your walks
Beyond hearing the walk went well, seeing photos or videos of their dog having a howling-good time will make them want to book again.
Be on time
Consistently showing up when and where you said you would proves you’re trustworthy and professional.
Respect their space
Leave their home, yard, stuff, and fur baby looking the same or better than when you arrived.
Go the extra mile
Pick up after Rocky if he poops in the front yard, or make a special effort to walk Luna in her favorite spot and take a photo.
Be available during peak times
Early morning, late night, holidays, and the summer vacation season are prime times to make yourself available. Remind your best clients to book in advance for holidays to give them your prime spots.
Boost Your Wag! Game With Safety Tips & Insurance Know-How
At this point, you’re probably starting to ask yourself some safety and legal what-ifs:
- “What if a dog breaks free of his leash and runs away? Is that my fault?”
- “What if their dog bites another dog or even a person? Who pays the medical bills?”
- “What if a client’s dog gets sick or collapses during our walk? Does Wag pay for a vet?”
Pro tip: Don’t assume Wag will protect you or pay damages and vet bills if an accident happens. That’s why dog walkers need their own dog walker insurance.
Here’s the deal: Because you’re an independent contractor, not a Wag employee, Wag does not insure you for harm to pets, people, or property related to your service. Per their incident resolution guidance, the company will mediate between you and a pet parent if there’s an accident, but that’s it.
It’s your job or the pet owner’s job to have insurance. If neither of you do, it’s typically on you to pay the whole bill yourself.
Why Dog Walker Insurance Is Worth It
Wag suggests that dog owners buy optional pet insurance to cover their pet’s vet bills if something goes wrong. Still, there are good reasons to buy your own insurance instead of trusting someone else to do the responsible thing:
- Most pet owners don’t insure their pets. A recent Harris Poll found that only 24% of pet parents have pet insurance. That means that on around 76% of Wag walks, you’re on your own to pay the entire cost if an accident happens.
- Pet insurance protects pet parents. Dog walker insurance protects you. While pet insurance may pay some vet bills, dog walking insurance can also cover your costs if:
- A client sues you
- Animals are lost or injured
- Someone else is harmed or their stuff gets damaged
- A client’s property gets damaged
- You lose the keys
- And much more!
- Insurance can win you clients. Mentioning in your profile that you’re an insured dog walker makes you stand out as a prepared professional. Our recent survey found that 80% of pet parents are more likely to book a pet caregiver with insurance.
Interested in affordable protection designed for dog walkers?
Interested in affordable protection designed for dog walkers?
Pet Care Insurance can get you covered in minutes for as little as $14.58/month.
Ready to start your perfect side gig? Now that you have the right preparation to become a Wag dog walker, you’ll be getting paws on pavement in no time!
FAQs About How to Become a Dog Walker with Wag!
How much can I earn as a dog walker with Wag?
The national average income for Wag dog walkers on Indeed is $27.11/hour. But keep in mind that rates will vary based on the cost of living in your area, and that you likely won’t be working full-time hours. Wag says their average dog walker charges:
- $12.75 to $19.99 for a 20-minute walk
- $17 to $26.99 for a 30-minute walk
- $25.50 to $36.99 for a 60-minute deluxe walk
What kind of services can I offer through Wag?
Pet caregivers can offer dog walking, drop-in visits, pet sitting, or pet boarding officially through the Wag app. However, Wag gives you a lot of room to offer custom services and specialize if you’d like to offer dog training or special services like excursions and more.
Do you need any certification to be a Wag dog walker?
Wag dog walkers don’t need any pet care certifications to join the app. You may find that pet parents are more likely to trust you if you can show advanced pet care knowledge with a Pet First Aid certification or a Pet CPR certificate.
What are the risks of starting a dog walking business?
Starting a dog walking business means preparing for the risk of accidents like animal injuries and property damage. It’s why pet business insurance is so important. PCI regularly covers claims for thousands of dollars from real dog walkers for things like pet injuries and illness, lost keys, injuries to bystanders, and much more.
