Why use a daily dog walker

With many companies requiring employees to return to the office, many doggies are left home alone for hours on end. You want the best life for your dog, and now you’re looking for a daily dog walker to fill in when you can’t be home (of course, this means you’re also losing your own daily walk, but that means you’ll have to make a friend at the office to walk with).

Let’s talk about the best schedule or routine for your dog, why you should use a daily dog walker if you're working in the office (or maybe you just have a busy life!), and how often you should actually be walking your dog.

Daily Dog Schedule

Daily walks have many benefits for your dog’s health, from curbing behavior problems to keeping bones strong. Here’s a good schedule to follow for an adult dog.

Morning Schedule

Whether you take a walk or send your dogs into the backyard, the first thing they’ll do in the morning is potty.

Then, feed them breakfast and water if that’s their meal schedule.

Before you leave for the day, you should probably take them out one more time to make sure they’re comfortable.

Work Day Dog Schedule

Dogs over six months of age only need one outing during the day. While they can probably hold it for the hours you’re at work, they still need exercise, companionship, and fun.

Typically, the size and age of your dog determine how long the afternoon walk needs to be. Large dogs almost always have more energy to burn and will need a longer walk, between 30 minutes to an hour. With a small dog, you can get away with 15-30 minutes, but the shorter time still leaves your dog alone and bored for most of the day, so you may consider the 30 minutes to add some play and training reinforcement, even if your dog’s tiny legs can’t handle a long walk.

If you work from home, you can schedule your daily dog walker to come on the days you're not home. But there is a benefit to keeping on their schedule every day -- if you happen to have big deadlines or back-to-back meetings, you don’t have to feel guilty that you didn’t walk your dog. Your dog walker shows up and cares for them even if you’re not there.

At Walks Wiggles and Wags, your daily dog walker will send photo and video updates, so you know your fur friend is having a great time even though you’re working. We also have GPS tracking to show the exact route the walk has taken.

Check out our puppy schedule if you’re bringing home a puppy younger than six months.

Evening Schedule

Once you get home from work or finish your day, you’ll take your dog out again before dinner (if you serve a second meal), and then get to play and snuggle for the evening.

You should always take your dog out one more time before you go to bed, even if they seem very sleepy, because they will probably wake you up in the middle of the night to go outside… and you don’t want that!

Do dogs like routine?

After all that, do dogs even like routine? Yes! They like to know what’s coming next in their day, and the routine is good for you, too. You probably need to get up and walk around now and then. A dog is a great motivator to get outside!

Remember that some dog breeds may have more anxiety, and the routine keeps them less anxious. If you have a new dog, it might be good to mix up the routine (at least on the weekends) to keep them flexible and less rigid.

The daily dog walker routine primarily helps your dog get the exercise and companionship they need to stay healthy and live a long life. Most dogs thrive with routine in their life and get excited when they know someone is coming at the same time every day.

How often should you walk your dog?

Similar to how long your walk will be, how often you walk your dog generally depends on your dog's size, breed, and age. For their best health, we recommend at least one longer walk daily.

It’s not enough just to let them loose in the backyard to potty. They need the exercise of a walk to keep their bones, joints, and hearts strong. If you cannot give them the longer walk due to weather, work schedules, or family obligations, it would be best to consider a daily dog walker to ensure your dog gets the exercise they need.

If you only do a long walk on the weekends, your dog may be overworked during that one hike or walk -- just like you would be if climbing a mountain once a week was the only exercise for the week.

As you have longer walks, your dog (and you!) will get stronger and be able to take longer walks on the weekend.

How many miles should a dog walk a day?

How many miles your dog walks in a day depends on the dog's breed and age, as well as your own stamina for walking. Your daily dog walker probably walks over five miles per day, so they can walk as long as your dog requires!

Some owners find that they have less energy than their dogs, and that can be frustrating for both of you: your dog stares longingly at you and its leash, while you feel guilty that you can’t give them the exercise they deserve.

High-energy working dogs, like German Shepherds and Australian Shepherds, will have high exercise needs, and if you don’t meet those needs, they may become destructive at home. If you can’t give your dog the exercise they need, then a daily dog walker might be the best solution for you.

Find a daily dog walker in Northern NJ

If you live in Northern NJ -- specifically Morris County or Somerset County -- you can work with us, Walks Wiggles and Wags, as your daily dog walkers. We offer frequency discounts to families who book several walks per week, and our reliable team will always find a way to fit in your dog walk.

Get started by booking your first walk today, and we can’t wait to meet your dog!