How to choose a safe, professional dog walker
You’re not just handing over your dog — often you’re handing over a key to your home. Here’s what we’d check before trusting anyone with either, drawn from twenty years of doing this in Portsmouth & Southsea.
1. Public liability and care, custody & control insurance
A professional walker should carry public liability cover and, crucially, care, custody & control insurance — which covers your pet while it's in their charge. Ask to see the policy. The Pet Butler is fully insured through Cliverton and shows documentation at the consultation.
2. Enhanced DBS checks for anyone holding your keys
If a walker holds a key to your home, they should hold an enhanced DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check. Every Pet Butler team member with key access holds an enhanced DBS check, and keys are stored securely, never labelled with your address.
3. Canine first aid training
Accidents happen. A trained walker knows what to do before a vet is reached. Our whole team is canine first aid trained through Dog First Aid Training.
4. The right licence for boarding & day care
Home boarding and day care require an animal activity licence from the local council. Our boarding and day care homes are council licensed — ask us, or any provider, for their licence details.
5. Small, sensible group sizes
Big groups are harder to control and less safe. Ask how many dogs are walked together and how they're transported. We walk a maximum of six dogs (usually four or five), in secure vehicles with crates and seatbelts.
6. A proper meet-and-greet first
Any walker worth trusting will want to meet you and your pet before starting. Use it to see how they interact with your dog and to ask questions. Ours is a free consultation at your home with the actual carer.
7. Clear pricing and updates
You should know exactly what you'll pay and how you'll hear about your pet. We publish our prices, and customers get regular updates whilst their pet is in our care. We also have a Pet Butler VIP Facebook group for all our customers to check for daily updates!
8. References and reviews
Ask for references and read independent reviews. Look for consistency over time rather than a handful of recent five-stars.
Common questions
- Does a dog walker need a licence?
- Dog walking itself is not licensed, but home boarding and day care in England require an animal activity licence from the local council. Always check a boarding provider is licensed — The Pet Butler's boarding and day care homes hold current council animal activity licences, and we'll share the details on request.
- What insurance should a dog walker have?
- Look for public liability insurance plus care, custody & control cover, which protects your pet while it is in the walker's charge. Ask to see current documentation.
- How many dogs should be walked at once?
- There's no single legal limit for private walks, but smaller groups are safer and calmer. The Pet Butler walks a maximum of six dogs together, normally four or five.
The Pet Butler ticks every box above — insured, DBS checked, canine first aid trained, and council licensed for boarding & day care. Caring for Portsmouth pets since 2005. See what makes us different, browse our services & prices, or call 07809 827 462.
Next: the best dog walks around Portsmouth