Dog Walkers
- See also: Dog Sitting & Boarding
Parent Q&A
Archived Q&A and Reviews
Looking for dog walker/dog sitter in El Cerrito
April 2011
We have a new puppy - about 4 months old - and would like recommendations for dog-walkers, dog-sitters, and preferred places for boarding if we need it. The puppy needs lots of attention and exercise, and there are occasions when we are not able to be here all day to provide it. There are also times when we will be out of town and may want someone to both house-sit and dog-sit. If you have someone to recommend, please let me know your experience with them and how often you have used them.
Wendyann Cardwell is a terrific dog walker/dog sitter and isn't far from you. She is a vet tech as well, so that is helpful if your pets have any health issues. She has been very reliable over the past 3 years, has a key to our house, and will drop by at the last minute if we leave town. 510/223-2609. good luck, Julie
Doggie Lama has been walking my dog 2x a week for more than a year, and I LOVE them (and so does my dog). They're totally reliable and always wear him out. They go hiking all over the East Bay. http://www.doggylamapetcare.com/ Also, avoid Red Rover, although they're cheaper than everyone else. They used to walk my dog, and I fired them the second time they forgot to pick up my dog. They also lost their license to walk dogs in the East Bay Regional Parks. Heather
Oct 2007
A friend has a very energetic viszla and she recommends her dog walker: http://www.hotdiggitydogpetcare.com/ Sounds like they communicate well about how things went and take them on or off-leash for some good romps. Good luck. rebecca
Dog Walkers
June 2006
I wanted to share that we have found a great dog walker -- we got his name off of a very old posting to the Berkeley Parent's Network. He takes our dog on walks on the trails of the various Berkeley area parks while we are at work/school. He has also stayed overnight with our dog while we have been away on vacation. He has been very dependable and flexible -- he clearly loves the dogs that he cares for. His name is Dan Kuklo and he can be reached through his website at http://www.bdwps.com/ or at (510) 866-6194. Our boxer loves him and we really recommend his service. Good luck. Alex
June 2005
Doggy Detail
This message if for the individuals in Richmond/Pleasent Hill looking for a pet sitter/walker. We used Doggy Detail Pet Care who are located in the Vallejo area. We used them over Christmas, and they were great! I am not sure how far they will travel but their phone # is 707-297-1020. I found them on the internet, and was also pleased with their affordable rates vs. kenneling our two labs. Lab Lover
March 2005
Pet-sitting/Dog-walking Extraordinaire
Are you in a quandry about what to do with your pet when you go out of town? Or would you like your dog to have more exercise but don't have the time to take her/him for walks yourself. If so, please check out Safe Hands Pet Care as an option: http://www.safehandspetcare.com/index.html
Safe Hands is an East Bay pet care company which covers the areas from El Cerrito through Oakland as well as Alameda. I have been working for them for a while now. There are approximately 15 pet-sitters and dog-walkers employed by Safe Hands at the moment. The owners, a wonderful animal-loving couple, are dedicated to providing exceptional care and expect the same level of quality care from their employees. All of their employees have extensive animal experience. There are even folks very experienced with reptiles and birds. Please have a look at their website and then feel free to call them with any questions. You can tell them Joan sent you through the BPN. Joan
June 2005
Great Pet sitter/walker recommendation
I use a terrific dog walker/pet sitter. His name is Dan Kuklo and he is the sole owner and proprietor of Berkeley Dog Walk and Pet Sitting. He walks and cares for all pet on his own. He does not have anyone else working for him. He is a sensative, attentive and caring person who clearly loves animals and loves what he does. He takes our dog on LONG walks in Tilden and other great parks, but I know he does neighborhood walks for older or less mobile animals. His rates are reasonable and he is completely reliable. Here is his information:
(510) 849-2642 home (510) 866-6194 cell snowbird7 AT operamail.com http://www.bdwps.com
Best of luck! Molly
March 2005
Dog Walkers
We have had great luck with our dogwalkers, Phil and Laurie, also known as Pawderosa. Www.pawderosa.com They offer trail walks, neighborhood walks, dog boarding, pet taxi services and more. They're great with our dogs, and have worked on their training a bit as well. They're bonded and insured. Jeff
Oct 2004
We have been very happy with Brian Sullivan of Pied Piper Dog Training. He takes our dogs on really long off-leash walks up in the hills and on the trails, and because he is also a dog trainer, really works with them on their (sometimes) aggressive behavior. His email is brian AT piedpiperdogtraining.com and his phone # is 430-8726 Gigi
In response to the posting requesting a reccomendation for a dog walker. We work with a fabulous, kind, concientious and flexible dog walker named Brian Pierce. He takes our 16 month old, very lively, puppy out two afternoons a week. I met him at Ohlone dog park when I was 9+ months pregnant and loved his sense of humor and the attention and care he gave the dogs in his charge. He was on call, and came to walk our dog every day when I went into labor. After my son was born, we started the 2x a week schedule and continued it after I returned to work. I was home with the baby for the first 6 weeks he worked with us and saw how excited Shayda (our dog) was to see him and how happy AND TIRED she was when she returned. He would have her out for 2 hours, including travel time and with at least one other dog, which was fabulous for her socialization. Also, her recall improved to the point that we were able to safely take her to Izzy and let her run off leash! We had taken her to Puppy training and worked with her, but it was the consistency of training and being with Brian that I feel really got her to her present level. Brian is also felexible around schedule changes and just an all-around nice guy.
BriCoPie Pet Care (510) 684-7335 brian AT bricopiepetcare.com
Good luck! Beth
I'd like to recommend Carol Anderson of Oakland Hills Pet Care. 510-220-2463. She does pet sitting for cats & dogs, drop-in visits, and on-leash dog walking. She's a member of the East Bay Pet Sitters Assoc. and insured. She loves animals and is really easy to work with. Carol
Nov 2002
I am looking for a dog walker to walk my dog 3 times a week. I live in Albany so someone who walks other dogs nearby would be ideal. Melissa
Our Dog walker is John, of John and Mary Beth's Pet services, 526-7029. John is absolutely, hands down, the best dog walker ever. He has been walking both our dogs in Albany for 3 years. Although we have two dogs, they both have special needs as our shepard limps and our labx is very active--so he walks our shepard first and then takes our labx to the leash-free park. John always leaves reports if the dogs look sick or are acting funny. He also leaves cute pictures from time to time that he takes of them on their walks. He has also come through for us in a pinch since he has a key when we needed something desperately in our home while on vacation. He loves our dogs and our dogs just adore him and wait eagerly for him everyday. When I was on maternity leave and often breastfeeding he would discreetly knock before coming in to get the dogs. John is almost a member of our family and he makes our life and our dogs lives so much better. You could not get a better dog walker, I guarantee you that. You can contact me further for even more glowing stories about him. Jo
I use Chris Matthews at Pawalkers to walk my dog. She comes to the house and picks up the dog and takes her to Point Isabel for a couple of hours. She always makes sure that my dog is washed off and dry (if she played in the bay) before putting her back in the house. Chris can be reached at 701-1824. We highly recommend her. Pam
We LOVE our dogwalker, Larissa Martin. Her number is 652- 6435. We were her first client about a year ago, and she really loves and takes care of our dog. Debbie
Our neighbor and friend has a dog walking, pet care business. I cannot recommend her too highly. She has a wonderful way with pets (our reclusive cat responds to her as well as our rambuncious ones). She is scrupulously honest and conscientious. Her email is:info AT safehandspetcare.com and tel is (510) 710-6700. Kathryn
I've used Rover for dogsitting, including recently, and noticed that there are options for just dog-walking. Since Rover itself is for short-term dogsitting, I'd guess the dog-walking situation could be similar?
Have you tried Rover.com and looked for dog walkers in your area? I’m a work from home parent who walks dogs through Rover so hopefully you can find someone in your neighborhood.
Have you tried posting in one of your local/neighborhood Facebook groups? I see this sort of thing all the time in mine with no shortage of neighbors willing to help out. I have certainly volunteered to help neighbors in this way - many people are happy to do it.
You didn’t give a location. Becca Jones-Starr is still in Emeryville area I think. (510) 260-4708
beccajs [at] gmail.com
You can hire someone who lives close to you to do this on Rover. Select "dog walking" and you can select the dates you need walking for, and read reviews from other clients. Good luck!
Try looking up pet sitters, rather than dog walkers. This sounds like the kind of service a pet sitter would offer.