Get Peace of Mind with Our Professional Dog Walkers Near Wauwatosa, WI - 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed!
You don't want to leave your dog alone for 6-8 hours during the day. But life gets too busy for you to run home and do the care during the middle of the day.
​
So, you decide to look for a dog walker/sitter on Google. You search for "the best dog walkers near me."
​
...But then you get a long list of choices. The real difficulty lies in deciding which professional dog walking service to choose.
You also want a professional dog walker who's bonded and insured. Bad situations rarely happen. However, despite everyone's best efforts, sometimes they happen anyway. And, this is why your dog walker needs to have bonding and insurance, just in case something bad does happen.
​
You also want a dog walker with ample experience with dogs. This doesn't necessarily need to be professional experience. However, they should have enough personal experience with dogs such that you feel comfortable they can handle your dog.
​
And your dog walker should also be an exceptional communicator. This should include at least a text update and maybe a pic or two regarding your dog's walk and any highlights that also happened.
Yep. This is Precisely What You Get from Atta Boy!’s Professional Dog Walking Services for Wauwatosa Residents!
You can find everything you just read about with one professional dog walking service: Atta Boy! Dog Walking & Pet Sitting.
​​
We're bonded and insured. We have a total of three decades of experience with cats and dogs.
​
And you always get prompt communication from our time with your dog or cat! You'll get images and text updates. ​​​
​
Does all this sound awesome? Great!​
Just call 262.207.4271 now or:
Why Hire Dog Walking Companies Near Me?
​
Let's say you're not sure whether you want to hire a dog walking company or not. Should you actually make the decision? Or should you just find creative ways to care for your dog yourself? ​
​​
Well, if you're still deciding, factor these benefits in that both you and your dog get:
​
1. Better Health
​​
You know your dog needs exercise throughout the day to live a healthy and happy life. Unfortunately, many dogs and cats are actually well overweight, which is not a healthy way for them to live. ​
​
In addition, getting in that additional walk during the day when you're not home helps your dog avoid many preventable health issues. These include diabetes, bone diseases, joint pain, lung disease, heart disease, and even some forms of cancer.
​
Then, consider all the potential costs you could save on vet bills!
​
​2. Socialization and Stimulation
Your dog's senses get healthy stimulation every time they walk. They need this in order to preserve their sanity.
Puppies in particular have a high need for this socialization and stimulation.
​
On your walk, your dog does a long list of small doggy things that satisfies their need for socialization and stimulation. And it's easy to take all these things for granted.
​
However, for your dog, these things are a big deal. There's a reason they get so excited when you tell them it's time to go for a walk.
​
3. Better Behavior
​
It's really true that "tired dogs are good dogs," isn't it?
​
The difficulty can sometimes be getting them tired, can't it?
​
Your dog really shouldn't be crated or alone for more than 4-6 hours.
Try your best to make this happen on your own. It leads to a stronger bond with your dog.
​
But, if for some reason you can't, a professional dog walking service can always help you out.
​​
4. Peace of mind.
​
As a responsible dog owner, you probably feel some guilt that you can't be around your dog and meet their needs during the middle of the day. It's completely normal to feel a little guilt about that.
​
The demands of everyday American life sometimes run so high that you simply can't be with your dog as much as you'd like. And this is where a professional dog walker begins to make sense.
​
Because of the peace of mind you get from the additional help, you don't have to worry as much about your dog's mental and physical health.
​
5. More time.
​
Probably just about every second of your day is accounted for, right? You likely even have more to do than there are hours in a day.
​
If your dog needs lengthy walks often, it can be challenging to find the time to make these walks happen.
​
Hiring a professional dog walker can be the just solution you need. They can help you free up time so you can do everything you need to keep life moving ahead. ​
Questions You Can Ask Companies You Find by Searching “Dog Walker Near Me”
When you hire any kind of professional service, including a dog walker, you want to go with the person or company you trust the most.
​
How do you find a trustworthy dog walking service?
​
When you talk with them, ask some of these questions:
​
1. Are you bonded and insured?
​
Searching "dog walker near me" and talking to any dog walking business should result in you learning that the company is bonded and insured. Bonding protects you from the breakage and mysterious disappearance of your property. Insurance protects you from any negligent actions that result in monetary damages.
​
Any dog walking service can easily afford these financial instruments. There's absolutely no reason to go with a professional dog walker who doesn't have bonding and insurance.
​
And while every dog walker does their best to not make any mistakes, bad things can still happen. Having bonding and insurance is simply wise to do, just in case the unexpected occurs.
​
2. Do you background check your dog walkers?
​
There's absolutely no reason why any professional dog walking service wouldn't background check all their dog walkers. While it doesn't guarantee the dog walker will be excellent at their job, it is a minimum protection the dog walking service you're considering should afford.
​
If for some reason the company doesn't background check their dog walkers, then that puts your dog's safety at risk. Of course, you certainly don't want to find yourself in such a situation.
​
3. How do you manage an unruly dog?
​
There's no such thing as a perfect dog. ​
​
Regardless of the situation, the dog walking services you're talking to should understand how to handle a dog that's getting out of control. Today, the most common approach involves a combination of ignoring or redirecting the undesirable behavior. Then, that should be followed up with positive reinforcement that includes verbal praise and/or a treat.
​
If you scold or punish your dog when they get out of line, that leads to fear and anxiety. And the result of that is lost trust. This actually harms the dog walker's relationship with your dog over the long-term.
​
Scolding and punishment can also escalate your dog's behavior in the moment. In fact, it can escalate your dog so much that they decide to bite your dog walker or start a fight with the other dog.
​​
You're best off practicing calm, assertive behavior. Then, when your dog displays the appropriate behavior, you follow that up with positive reinforcement to get more of what you want from your dog. ​
​​
3. How do you handle emergencies?
Emergencies rarely happen. But, one could still happen. And, you could be doing everything right. For example, someone else's dog leash could break and let an aggressive dog loose on your dog.
You want to know how your dog walker would handle an emergency, if one should arise.
In most cases, this simply involves a trip to the emergency vet.
​
5. How do you communicate?
If you search "dog walking services near me," all the dog walking services you end up speaking to should know how to give you what you really want. They should be able to give you peace mind regarding your dog when you're not actually able to care for your dog.
At minimum, the dog walking service should know your emergency contact information. However, you should get more than just that from the dog walking company you're considering. They should be able to give you at least a written text update on what happened during their time with your dog. Images are nice too, but you don't need to require them.
This way, you know that your dog walker is giving you quality service for your hard-earned dollars.
​
6. Do you offer service in all kinds of weather? ​
​
Your dog always needs to go potty and stretch their bones, regardless of how hot or cold it is outside. They don't magically not have that need when the weather gets rough outside.
​
Surprisingly, some dog walking services won't offer any service when the weather gets really nasty outside. However, many do. Simply make sure that yours will be there when you need them.
​
7. Where will you walk my dog?
​
Your dog has varying needs when it comes to the length of their walk. Sometimes, they just need to stretch their legs, go potty, and say hello to a few other dogs and people.
Other times, your dog is heavily stressed. If this is the case, they may need to be alone in nature, just enjoying all the sights and smells. You call this a "decompression" walk.
​
Each type of walk has its time and place. Make sure you discuss this issue with your dog walker so that you're both on the same page with your dog's needs.
​
8. How do you pick up and drop off my dog?
​
Some professional dog walkers will pick up your dog and transport them to a park or nature preserve to walk them.
​
Do you want your dog in a crate? Or should they be loose so they can relax and stretch out?
​
Will the dog walker transport other dogs at the same time?
​
Will your dog meet other people during the transportation process? Do those people have experience with dogs like yours?
​
9. What kinds of dog leashes do your walkers use?
​
When you ask this question, you just want to make sure the dog walking service only requires leashes that you approve of.
​
For your information, retractable leashes are just not a good idea. This is because the locking mechanism often breaks. This can lead to the leash snapping in half. And you can imagine what could happen with your dog running around the neighborhood!
​
Retractable leashes also encourage pulling because they allow your dog to control the walk.
​
They can also get tangled in children's bikes and cause burns.
​
Make sure your dog walker avoids retractable leashes at all costs!
​
A simple 6-8 foot nylon cord or rope and a harness or collar is all that's needed!
​
10. Will you ever take my dog off leash?
​
How comfortable do you feel with your dog being off leash? Make sure you talk with your dog walker about this up front.
​
If you have even a shred of doubt, keep your dog on its leash. It's great to have freedom. But it's even better that your dog stays safe.
​
11. Will you provide the same dog walker every time?
​
As you know, dogs prefer the familiarity, trust, and comfort of having the same person with them every time.
​
Fortunately, most dog walking services will make every effort to have the same dog walker with your dog every time.
​
Make sure you communicate this desire up front. While most dog walking services aim for this, not all do.
​
12. How many dogs do you walk at one time? ​
​
Does your dog walk better alone or as part of a pack? This really depends specifically on your dog's personality and their unique needs.
​
Some dog walking services offer both pack and one-on-one walks.
​
You're the expert on your dog. Simply communicate the best fit for them up front.
13. How do you handle unsocialized dogs?
​
Every dog begins their life unsocialized with other dogs and people. Make sure you ask your dog walker how they handle such a dog.
​
This gives you a good feel for their expertise.
14. Do you make accommodations for special needs dogs? ​
​
Does your dog take unique medications? Do they require special handling because of a physical health condition? If so, confirm with your dog walking service that they have done this before.
​
Usually, it's not too complicated to provide additional accommodations for special needs dogs. But, it's good that your dog walking service has the experience, just in case.
​
The last thing you need is a mess-up of some kind that results in a trip to the vet and an expensive bill.
​
15. What other services do you offer?
​
Most dog walkers give you a 30-minute dog walk/dog sit as a standard service offering. And it's helpful and relaxing to know that your dog walking service can come to bat if you can't give your dog the care it needs for whatever reason.
​
Additional services dog walking companies may provide can include: pet sitting, pet taxiing, dog adventures, poop clean-up, and much more. Costs can vary, so make sure you ask about the cost for each.
16. Can I come on a test walk? ​
​
Before committing to a contract, you're wise to go on a test walk with your dog walker, if possible. This way, you can get a feel for how they interact with your dog.
​
We get it. You don't have extra time to just throw around. However, it is just a single, 30-minute walk! And this also gives you a little more peace of mind knowing that you can trust your dog walker.
Wauwatosa Dog Walking Resources
-
Is It OK To Pet A Stranger's Dog? What Dog Experts Think About A Viral Internet Debate.
-
TV for Dogs: 7 Reasons Television Might Be Beneficial for Your Dog
Searching for “The Best Dog Walkers Near Me?” Don't Look Any Further Than Atta Boy! Dog Walking & Pet Sitting! ​
Remember all the value you get when you choose Atta Boy:
​
-
Bonded and insured to protect in the rare event something goes wrong
-
More than thirty years experience caring for dogs and cats
-
Your dog builds a strong bond with their dog walker because they get the same one every time
-
Exceptional communication with images and a written text update of your dog or cat's visit​​​
​
Sounds good?
​
Awesome!
​
Call 262.207.4271 now or:
​
​
​
​