Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are you bonded and insured?
A: Yes. Dog Walk BK is bonded and insured by Pet Sitters Associates. In 6+ years in business, we've never had to submit a claim.
Q: Do you typically send the same walker?
A: Yes, we send the same walker every day. Sometimes we may have to have another walker cover your dog's walk when your walker is out sick or running late.
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Q: Do you run a background check on your walkers?
A: Yes. We vet and train each walker before starting. Unlike a service like Wag, we meet the walkers, run a background check, and train them in person before they walk dogs on their own.
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Q: Do I need a dog walker?
A: If you live in New York City, have a full or part-time job, or are crazy busy like most of us New Yorkers are, chances are yes! There are myriad options in New York City for your dog: walkers, daycare, dog-runners, and even private dog nannies!
Q: So why choose dog walking?
A: We believe dog walking is the most convenient and economical option. Unlike boarding and daycare facilities, we come to you! You can pick the best time or times for us to come, how long you'd like the walk to be and even how many days a week you need us. You never have to worry about rushing to and from a day care facility and working around THEIR schedule. Besides, day care is extremely expensive. Rates can be over $60 a day, whereas we offer walks for as little as $17.
Q: Why is walking my dog important?
A: Walking your dog is important for two reasons. First, it is important for your dog to get a much-needed potty break! Secondly, it is important for your dog’s health. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 54 percent of dogs are overweight or obese. The most common side effects of pet obesity are osteoarthritis, insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart and respiratory diseases, and joint problems. We recommend at least one hour of exercise a day combined with a healthy, organic diet for your dog to combat obesity.
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Q: Do you walk dogs in pack walks?
A: No. There are never more than 4 dogs in a group, and most times your dog will be walked with only 1 or 2 other dogs when you choose one of our semi-private groups.
Q: Are there any minimum walk requirements?
A: Yes. We require you sign up with us for at least 3 walks a week.
Q: When is payment due?
A: Payment is due the last day of walks for the week. For example, if your walks are on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday you will owe us payment on Thursday. We accept cash or check. We can also send monthly invoices.
Q: What is your service area?
A: We offer dog walking services in Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Fort Green, Clinton Hill & Crown Heights.
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Q: Are your walkers trained in pet first aid?
A: All of our walkers are trained in pet first aid, and some of our walkers are certified by the Red Cross.
Q: Tell me more about The Happy Hour.
A: We believe socializing your dog is as important as getting your dog exercise, and we think the Happy Hour is the perfect combination of both! Dogs are naturally pack animals and enjoy the company of other dogs. This particular walk will give your dog time to exercise, relieve itself, and play with other dogs.
Q: Do you offer boarding?
A: Yes. We offer boarding in our home or your home.
Q: Do you ever leave dogs alone?
A: No. Dogs are never left unattended. We typically work in teams to ensure your dog’s safety.
Q: What do you do with the dogs in inclement weather?
A: We walk your dogs rain, snow, or shine! But rare cases — extreme cold or extreme heart, excessive rain, heavy snow — may prevent us from getting to your home, or we may have to shorten or adjust a walk. Adjusting walks is up to the discretion of the dog walker, and we'll do our best to make up any time missed due to dangerous weather.
Q: Will my dog get along with other dogs during a semi-private walk?
A: Most dogs walk well with other dogs. We have rarely encountered a problem walking multiple dogs at once. Should your dog not get along with another dog in the group, we will do our best to place your dog in a different group.
Q: What do I need to provide for the walk?
A: We ask that you provide us with an appropriate leash, collar and/or harness for your dog. We do not allow retractable leashes.
Q: Do I have to be home when you pick up and drop off my dog?
A: No. We ask that you give us a copy of your keys, which we will keep in a safe place when we are not using them. If you have a doorman building that can provide us with a set of keys to pick up and drop every day, we can arrange that too.
Q: What areas of NYC do you currently service?
A: Currently we service Midtown East and Brooklyn.
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Q: What if my dog gets sick while under your care?
A: Prior to starting services, we'll discuss a precautionary plan of action with you should your dog become ill under our care. If your dog does show signs of illness during a walk, we will contact you immediately and follow your instructions. Keeping your dog happy and healthy is important to us because we treat every dog as if they're our own.
Q: What are your cancellation policies?
A: We ask that all cancellations for dog walking services be made by 7:30 PM the night prior. If you do not cancel before 7:30 PM the night prior, you will be charged for the day's walk.
For boarding cancellations, we ask for 48 hours’ notice. All cancellations made less than 48 hours in advance will incur a 50% penalty.