If you’re looking for a job where you can…
→ Earn money doing what you love
→ Gain pet care experience
→ Be your own boss
→ Get regular exercise
→ Hang out with dogs on the daily
Becoming a Rover dog walker might be the side hustle you’re searching for.
Rover, the leading app for on-demand pet services, makes becoming a professional dog walker simple. With a minimal time commitment and no formal training needed, dog walking for Rover is a flexible gig with hours you can scale up or down to fit your schedule.
Getting started is easier than you think. This guide will trot through how to become a dog walker on Rover in six steps, from setting up your profile to booking your first walk.
What Is Rover & How Does It Work for Dog Walkers?
Founded in 2011, Rover is a pet care app that connects pet owners looking for care with local pet pros. It’s the most popular dog walking marketplace of its kind, with over 2 million customers worldwide and 91% of U.S. sales compared to the next-largest competitor, Wag.
Pro tip: Rover is the biggest online pet care marketplace, but it’s not the only one. Doing some pros and cons research will help you pick the best fit for you.
- See our review of the Rover app to learn how the platform measures up for dog walkers.
- Deciding between Rover or Wag? Our Wag vs. Rover review compares the top dog walking apps side-by-side.
Quick-Start Guide for Rover Dog Walkers
Here’s the breakdown for how to become a Rover dog walker, get gigs, and get paid:
- Fill out an application and create a Rover profile listing your prices, availability, and services
- Local clients search for Rover dog walkers and spot your profile in the search results
- Dog owners submit a booking request
- You accept or reject the booking
- Chat with your client on the app for the details, or set up a meet-and-greet with their pup to make sure it’s a good fit
- Complete your walk
- Pet parents pay you through the Rover app
- Two days after your walk is complete, Rover direct deposits your pay into your bank account
Ready to submit your application and get set up for walks on Rover? Let’s stroll through the steps.
Step 1: Understand What’s Expected
Rover is looking for responsible animal lovers to treat clients’ pets like their own. They don’t require any dog walking experience to apply, making the app popular with college students, retirees, aspiring dog walking business owners, and dog fans everywhere looking for a little cash on the side.
Qualifications to Become a Rover Dog Walker
Even though Rover doesn’t have many requirements to start picking up walks, there are a few things you need and a few Rover suggests to maximize your earnings.
Rover Dog Walker Requirements
- At least 18 years old
- Live in a city where the app operates (Rover is available nationwide in the U.S., Canada, and the UK)
- Access to a smartphone and download the free app
- Apply (with a background check) and pay the $49 profile processing fee
Rover Suggests: Traits for More Bookings
Testimonials about your care
Good reviews about your reliability and skill make it easier to get your first client. While submitting your application, you can request and receive up to 15 testimonials. We suggest at least four — that’s how many show on your profile without clicking the “read more reviews” button.
Dog walking experience
Rover doesn’t require formal experience to walk dogs, but sharing any you have will build trust with pet parents.
Advanced pet care knowledge
Dog walkers earning at least an 88% on the 18-question sitter success quiz will get a Rover 101 badge on their profile to show clients they know their stuff. You can complete this later as you level up your knowledge.
Certifications and insurance
Rover doesn’t require you to have either, but every dog walker should consider them. More on that later.
Tips & Tricks: 5 Ways to Get Dog Walking Experience & Reviews from Scratch
Tell us if you’ve heard this one before: “To get experience, you have to have experience.” Don’t worry, here’s a few handy shortcuts if you’re new to pet care:
1. Walk friends’ and family’s dogs.
2. Volunteer at a local shelter or rescue.
3. Design a dog walking flyer offering discounted walks to neighbors.
4. Start or join a local pet parent Meetup group.
5. Take a dog walking course or certification class (like Pet First Aid through the Red Cross).
Step 2: Apply & Set Up Your Rover Account
The Rover application is easy to complete, with checkmarks beside each step to let you know when you’re ready to move on. Rover app reviewers say it takes a few hours to complete.
1. Go to the Become a Rover Sitter page and choose Get Started.
2. Select your service (dog walking, pet sitting, etc.) You can choose multiple services, or start with dog walking now and add more later.
3. Follow the prompts to finish setting up your profile:
Service Setup
Set your prices, schedule, and preferences around dogs you’re willing to walk. (For example, you could choose not to walk dogs over 100 lbs if you’re worried about safety.)
Create a Profile
Tell pet parents about your dog walking experience to create a good first impression, showing off photos, and sharing availability, services, and contact info.
Request Testimonials
Post reviews from past clients to show potential clients that you’re trustworthy. Rover recommends (but doesn’t require) testimonials when you’re starting out.
Pass the Safety Quiz
Watch the educational videos and respond to the questions. The goal is to show you know how to keep dogs safe on a walk.
Submit a Background Check
Every Rover dog walker has to pass background screening. You’ll have two options: a basic check ($10) or an enhanced check ($35). The enhanced check gets you a special profile badge.
Average approval time: You should get an email from Rover within 10-20 business days. If approved, your profile will be visible on the Rover app and pet parents can start messaging you.
Step 3: Create a Winning Profile
Your Rover dog walker profile has a few major sections to customize. We’ll use Hillary R.’s Rover profile as an example of how to do it right.
(We’re proud that Hillary is a PCI-insured dog walker!)
1. Profile Pic & Contact Info
Enhanced background checks get a gold shield, basic checks get a blue one.
2. Photo Gallery
Use high-quality images of safe, fun walks with dogs. If you also board pets (like Hillary), photos of your home put clients at ease.
3. Star Sitter Badge
Rover Star Sitter status will appear up top. (Caregivers with a high rating, good acceptance and response rates, and a diverse, repeat client base are eligible.)
4. Headline
A short, punchy description that highlights why pet parents should pick you.
5. Bio
A concise pitch for your services. If you’re privately insured, mention it. (See Hillary’s profile for a great example of using your insurance to build trust.)
6. Reviews
Testimonials and reviews from clients who book you will appear here.
7. About (Communication and Skills)
Auto-generates from info you provide, plus your walk and booking response stats.
8. Safety, Trust & Environment (Optional)
Tell pet parents why pets are safe with you. Stick to concrete facts with proof.
9. Info You Would Like to Know About Their Pet (Optional)
List questions for clients before a walk. Smart questions prove that you know your stuff.
10. A Typical Day (Optional)
Tells pet parents what their pet might get up to with you. Phrasing it as a story, like Hillary, makes your answer extra compelling.
11. Services
Set your services, prices, pet preferences, and availability.
12. Location
A map created from info you provide, showing how far you’ll travel to accept a walk.
Rover dog walkers often feel frustrated about how little pet parents read their profiles (and fair enough — you put work into that!) But, how you present yourself in your profile has a big impact on your bookings in two ways:
- It affects how high the Rover algorithm places you in local search results. Rover uses a formula to decide which profiles appear first when pet parents search for a dog walker. Complete, helpful profiles show up higher on the list.
- It affects how pet parents perceive your professionalism. How you present yourself reflects the quality of your care. If your profile is clear, concise, friendly, and backed with proof, they’ll click that contact button (even if they didn’t read every word).
Tips & Tricks: Creating a Rover Dog Walker Profile That Attracts Clients
Follow a few simple rules for an approachable yet professional Rover profile:
Choose a friendly, well-lit profile photo of you with an animal
A high-quality image shows professionalism, while featuring an animal subtly says, “I hang out with pets all the time.”
Make your gallery service-centered
Pet parents want to see that the environment where you’re walking or caring for dogs is safe, and that animals love hanging out with you. If you care for many types of pets, show a wide range in your photos.
Use pet-first language
Frame your answers to focus less on you and more on specific ways pets benefit from their walks with you.
- You-first: I love spending time with dogs, and I can handle dogs of all breeds and sizes.
- Pet-first: Whether your dog needs space or loves being the center of attention, I make sure they’re comfortable and secure throughout our walk.
Highlight special qualifications
Most Rover dog walkers love dogs and grew up with animals. So what’s unique about your experience or credentials?
Keep it scannable
Pet parents will likely skim your written content. Make it easier for them to find key info by hitting the qualifications that separate you from the pack and saving the rest for a meet-and-greet.
Write a bold, descriptive heading (AI can help!)
Your Rover headline isn’t just a spot for a throwaway pet pun — it’s a chance to snapshot what makes you special. If you want to ask AI for help, here are some examples to add to your prompt:
- Reliable dog walking backed by 10 years of experience
- Expert with high-energy dogs. Let’s run!
- Specializing in special needs, senior dogs, and puppy care
- Flexible scheduling for walks that fit your life
Be clear (and honest) about availability and preferences
If you have limits on your hours or the type, size, or number of dogs you feel comfortable walking, be upfront. Since low walk acceptance rates can negatively affect your profile, be specific about the walks you do and don’t want.
Step 4: Set Your Availability and Pricing
One of the first steps to becoming a dog walker on Rover is setting your rates and schedule. Deciding how much your work is worth is one of the best things about being your own boss, but it takes some extra research.
How much should Rover dog walker charge? The average hourly rate for a Rover dog walker is $15-22, according to Glassdoor. Where you fall on that scale depends on your location, the number and length of the jobs you’re accepting, and your level of experience.
What Should I Charge for Dog Walking on Rover?
Here’s how to decide your starting price on Rover:
Check out other Rover dog walkers in your area
Do a local search on Rover for dog walking and check out your competitors’ prices to avoid charging too much or too little.
Factor in Rover’s 20% commission
Rover takes 20% of your earnings for every job you book to pay for the cost of marketing your profile to pet parents. Many dog walkers set their rates to cover the cost of Rover’s cut.
Include the cost of doing business (like taxes)
Any business has some costs to operate, like the cost of gas or wear and tear on your dog walking equipment. Since all Rover dog walkers are 1099 independent contractors, not employees, you’ll also need to pay taxes on your earnings yearly.
Charge what your experience is worth
The more experience and qualifications you have, the more you can charge for your expertise. Look for other local dog walkers with a similar level of experience to decide what’s fair to charge.
Tips & Tricks: 5 Ideas to Maximize Your Earnings on Rover
1. Offer extra services like dog sitting and drop-ins with Rover’s add-on feature.
2. Set your schedule to match peak times, like weekends, summer vacation months, holidays, or early/late hours.
3. Aim for repeat bookings by relationship-building with a personalized note and photo updates after every walk.
4. Actively ask for reviews after successfully completing a service.
5. Promote your profile outside the app on your social media, business cards, or personal website.
Step 5: Protect Yourself & Pets With Dog Walker Insurance
You’re probably wondering about the safety and legal side of how to become a dog walker for Rover. What if a dog in my care gets injured, bites someone, breaks my client’s stuff, or escapes? Does Rover handle that, or do I have to pay for it?
Does Rover Offer Insurance for Dog Walkers?
Rover does not insure dog walkers since they’re independent contractors, not employees. What they do offer is the Rover Guarantee, a reimbursement program made to repay some vet costs or damage to a client’s property while a pet is in your care.
Here’s the issue: the Rover Guarantee is designed to legally and financially protect pets, pet owners, and Rover — not you. Coverages missing from the Rover Guarantee can leave dog walkers out in the cold when an accident happens. That’s why Rover recommends buying your own insurance.
Pro tip: Protecting yourself as a dog walker doesn’t have to be confusing. We compare insurance vs the Rover Guarantee in this quick and easy guide.
What Insurance Do Dog Walkers Need?
While you might not think of yourself as a small business, Rover dog walkers are self-employed — that means, like any business, you need general liability insurance. Coverage for pet-specific risks, like animal bailee and vet reimbursement, is also a must (even for part-time dog walkers).
PCI’s dog walking insurance combines all the protections dog walkers need for a reliable financial safety net. Along with essential coverage for pet injuries, vet bills, and property damage to others, PCI dog walker insurance can also cover you in cases where the Rover Guarantee won’t, like these:
- Property damage to the owner’s property by the owner’s pet: A client charged you when Freckles snagged his e-collar on a branch and broke it during your walk.
- Injury to other people’s pets during your service: Lulu the German Shepherd is reactive and injured another dog that got too close during your walk in the park.
- Jobs booked outside of Rover: A recurring client calls you directly for a week of walks and drop-ins while they’re out of the country and pays cash. Barkley gets sick during your care, and the client blames you.
- Employee dishonesty: An employee in your dog walking business steals from a client after making a copy of their key.
- Advertising mistakes: A client claims your profile falsely represents your special-needs pet experience after a diabetic dog collapses during a walk with you.
- Stolen or damaged equipment: Hunter the husky gets excited and bumps your arm as you take a client update photo, sending your work phone tumbling to the pavement.
- Lost keys: You drop the client’s condo key during a walk and have to call a locksmith.
Tips & Tricks: Showing You’re Insured on Your Rover Profile
80% of pet owners told PCI they were more likely to book a pet pro with insurance. So use your coverage to your advantage! Here are a few ideas for where and how to show that you’re a responsible, insured professional on your Rover profile:
- Upload your PCI insurance badge to your image gallery.
- Add a short message to your Bio or the Safety, Trust, and Environment section.
- “I am also insured and bonded with Pet Care Insurance for extra peace of mind.”
- “I’m privately insured in addition to the Rover Guarantee for a safe walk every time.”
- Mention it during your Meet and Greet if safety issues come up. Your vet reimbursement coverage through PCI is especially good for reassurance — it means you don’t hesitate over the bill when pets need emergency care.
Step 6: Book Your First Gig (and Provide Excellent Service)
And that’s all you need to know about how to become a Rover dog walker! Taking your place as leader of the pack is up to you, but these above-and-beyond ideas can help turn one-time walks into repeat bookings:
- Respect the client’s home, lawn, and stuff
- Be on time, all the time
- Don’t neglect the extras (small things like picking up after their dog or leaving the key exactly where you found it matter)
- Be easy to reach and professional in your messages
- Stay in touch (when the busy season approaches, send reminders)
- Gently ask happy clients to review you after a successful service
- Suggest a regular walk after the second booking (Rover lets you set up repeating weekly walks through the app)
- Promote new services (if you expand into other services, like pet sitting, tell your loyal clients first)
- Customize your care to their dog (get to know each pet and their preferences)
Your first walk and a fulfilling job in pet care are waiting — let’s get your paws on the pavement!
FAQs About How to Become a Dog Walker for Rover
Can anyone walk dogs on Rover?
Most people with a smart phone and animal skills can walk dogs on Rover. You have to be at least 18 years old, live in a city where Rover operates, and be able to download and use the Rover smartphone app. There’s also profile processing and background check fees you need to pay to get approved.
How much does it cost to become a Rover dog walker?
While a Rover dog walker profile is technically free with no membership fee, becoming a Rover dog walker will cost between $59 and $84. Here’s how the cost breaks down:
- Every dog walker who applies with Rover pays a one-time $49 profile processing fee.
- To help ensure safe pet care, dog walkers need to pay for and pass a background check. You can pick between two options:
- Basic background check: $10. Minimum requirement for all dog walkers.
- Enhanced background check: $35. Paying for the enhanced check gets you a special badge for your profile. If you have the extra budget, it’s a great sign of trustworthiness for nervous pet parents.
Good to know: The profile processing and background check fees are non-refundable if your application isn’t accepted.
Is Rover a good side hustle?
Rover is an easy way to earn extra cash walking dogs in your spare time. You can set your hours and accept the jobs you want. You might get enough clients for full-time work in a big city, but Rover reviews suggest that dog walkers looking for a side hustle are happiest with their results.
Do I need insurance to walk dogs on Rover?
Rover doesn’t require insurance, but it’s not a good idea to walk clients’ dogs without it. From pet injuries to property damage, lost keys, extreme weather, and dog bites, a lot can go wrong on a walk. While the Rover Guarantee is a good backup, it can leave you vulnerable. That’s why Rover suggests that dog walkers get their own insurance.
Affordable dog walking insurance from PCI can protect your side hustle and the pups you love by paying for expensive legal claims and accidents.
