Good Dog Walker in Northern Virginia?

[Anonymous]

After my latest Rover catastrophe (dog sitter, who we used before with success, never showed up and didn't respond to any texts or calls), I am in the market for a great dog walker for drop ins. Willing to pay top dollar for someone reliable. In fact, they don't even need to walk my dogs. Letting them out in my fenced backyard is sufficient. Just safe and reliable.

[Anonymous]

Where in Nova? They mostly don't drive a long way, e.g., ours only serves a couple zip codes.

[Anonymous]

Alexandria, near Old Town.

[Anonymous]

Find a college kid or just out of college young adult. Looking on DCUM for specific rec's won't do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Find a college kid or just out of college young adult. Looking on DCUM for specific rec's won't do.

This hasn't worked for me in the past. I don't totally understand, but I've had the hardest time finding someone to come and just open my back door, bring the dogs in, and close the door on time. I've tried college kids and "professional" pet sitters on Rover and neighborhood college students. Constant problems even when I pay $65 per visit (30 minutes, open door, no walks). My dogs aren't all that needy, but the one has early stage kidney disease and needs to go out every 3 hours. Dog door won't work for a variety of reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:After my latest Rover catastrophe (dog sitter, who we used before with success, never showed up and didn't respond to any texts or calls), I am in the market for a great dog walker for drop ins. Willing to pay top dollar for someone reliable. In fact, they don't even need to walk my dogs. Letting them out in my fenced backyard is sufficient. Just safe and reliable.

This is my biggest nightmare.

Where are you? If you are in their service area, I recommend KSR Petcare -- 10/10, and 100% reliable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Find a college kid or just out of college young adult. Looking on DCUM for specific rec's won't do.

I always find this to be odd advice. College kids are busy, and most of them do not need money. They are not going to want the job and, if they take it, will do it on their own schedule.
A really conscientious older person might be better but, again, would they want to?

I think a professional dog walker or an in-home sitter (dog goes to sitter's home) are the best options. I'm in Vienna and both exist here; sorry OP I don't have recs for Alexandria.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:After my latest Rover catastrophe (dog sitter, who we used before with success, never showed up and didn't respond to any texts or calls), I am in the market for a great dog walker for drop ins. Willing to pay top dollar for someone reliable. In fact, they don't even need to walk my dogs. Letting them out in my fenced backyard is sufficient. Just safe and reliable.

This is my biggest nightmare.

Where are you? If you are in their service area, I recommend KSR Petcare -- 10/10, and 100% reliable.

OP here. I’m in Alexandria, and they don’t service my area, but they look fantastic!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Find a college kid or just out of college young adult. Looking on DCUM for specific rec's won't do.

I always find this to be odd advice. College kids are busy, and most of them do not need money. They are not going to want the job and, if they take it, will do it on their own schedule.
A really conscientious older person might be better but, again, would they want to?

I think a professional dog walker or an in-home sitter (dog goes to sitter's home) are the best options. I'm in Vienna and both exist here; sorry OP I don't have recs for Alexandria.

I apologize for hijacking the thread but am in the Vienna area and currently looking for a highly recommended in-home sitter for our dog. Could you share who you use? Thank you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Find a college kid or just out of college young adult. Looking on DCUM for specific rec's won't do.

I always find this to be odd advice. College kids are busy, and most of them do not need money. They are not going to want the job and, if they take it, will do it on their own schedule.
A really conscientious older person might be better but, again, would they want to?

I think a professional dog walker or an in-home sitter (dog goes to sitter's home) are the best options. I'm in Vienna and both exist here; sorry OP I don't have recs for Alexandria.

I apologize for hijacking the thread but am in the Vienna area and currently looking for a highly recommended in-home sitter for our dog. Could you share who you use? Thank you

See if Canine Comforts is still taking clients, that is who we've heard about for dog-goes-to-sitter daytime needs.

We use and recommend Vienna Leash for walks: they are very reliable. You could always ask if they'd offer in-home sitting but I don't think it's an advertised service.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Find a college kid or just out of college young adult. Looking on DCUM for specific rec's won't do.

I always find this to be odd advice. College kids are busy, and most of them do not need money. They are not going to want the job and, if they take it, will do it on their own schedule.
A really conscientious older person might be better but, again, would they want to?

I think a professional dog walker or an in-home sitter (dog goes to sitter's home) are the best options. I'm in Vienna and both exist here; sorry OP I don't have recs for Alexandria.

I apologize for hijacking the thread but am in the Vienna area and currently looking for a highly recommended in-home sitter for our dog. Could you share who you use? Thank you

See if Canine Comforts is still taking clients, that is who we've heard about for dog-goes-to-sitter daytime needs.

We use and recommend Vienna Leash for walks: they are very reliable. You could always ask if they'd offer in-home sitting but I don't think it's an advertised service.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

I would just try to get one through word of mouth at your neighborhood or vet. Maybe a vet tech would be interested.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Find a college kid or just out of college young adult. Looking on DCUM for specific rec's won't do.

I always find this to be odd advice. College kids are busy, and most of them do not need money. They are not going to want the job and, if they take it, will do it on their own schedule.
A really conscientious older person might be better but, again, would they want to?

I think a professional dog walker or an in-home sitter (dog goes to sitter's home) are the best options. I'm in Vienna and both exist here; sorry OP I don't have recs for Alexandria.

I apologize for hijacking the thread but am in the Vienna area and currently looking for a highly recommended in-home sitter for our dog. Could you share who you use? Thank you

I’m the PP who recommended KSR Pet care. They did in-home pet sitting for me when I lived in Vienna. Highly recommend.

[Anonymous]

Any neighbors with au pairs? I’ve had luck with that. And if they live nearby they’re less likely to ghost. Usually just a year but can be win-win.

[Anonymous]

Try Becky’s, beckyspetcare.com

Team of walkers serving all of NoVa, professional, been around long time