AAA Pet Care Pros, Ltd
Full Service Pet Care. We take care of your pets like they are our own.
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FAQ for Dog Walking

 

Q: When are your dog walking services available?
A: We generally walk dogs between 7 am and 9 am in the morning, 11 am and 3 pm in the afternoon and 4 pm to 7 pm in the evening.  You may schedule one or more dog walking sessions per day.
Q: How much is your dog walking service?
A: Our dog walking service starts at $12.00 for 20 minutes for one dog.
Q: Do you walk off the leash?
A: No, we do not walk off the leash.  Even the best trained dogs can become frightened or upset and are unpredictable. So for safety reasons we keep the dog leashed at all times while outside of the home unless the dog is in a completely secure enclosed area such as a fenced back yard.
Q: How long will my dog be walked?
A: Generally, a dog walking session is a minimum of 30 minutes. We can walk dogs longer for an extra fee.  The amount of time can vary depending upon weather conditions.  On very hot days, during "heat warnings," on very cold days or in very rainy, snowy, icey, or storming conditions we may shorten the walk or cancel the walk.  However, if weather permits us to get to your dog we can substitute a potty break and indoor playtime for the walk. There is a minimum fee for one visit per week.  Additional visits in the week will be discounted.
Q: What qualifications do you have?
A: Certified Pet Sitter, American Red Cross Pet First Aid/CPR
Q: How do I qualify for your service?
Q: How do I pay for your service?
A: We require payment at the time of service. 
Q: How much do you charge for your dog walking services?
A: Charges are based on the number of dog walking services provided per week and the number of dogs walked.  We will walk a maximum of 3 dogs at a time.  If you schedule regular daily dog walking services, we will offer you a discount over the occasional dog walking client.  If we are walking more than one of your dogs at a time, then we will also offer a discount since we only have to make one trip.  From time to time we will be running specials and packages.
Q: What areas do you serve?
A: Currently we serve Collinsville, IL and the surrounding area.
 
Q: Isn't doggie day care better than hiring a dog walker?
 
Some dogs are very social and friendly and enjoy interacting with people and other dogs but many simply don't want to be bothered with a bunch of barking dogs all day. Some are frightened and anxious about the situation. It stresses them out just like it would stress many of us. Some dogs must be kept away from the other dogs for safety reasons and don't get the advantage of that socialization anyway.
 
Some dogs like the interaction of other dogs on a short term basis but all day away from home is just too much for them.  Also, dogs come and dogs go and so the group is constantly changing. 
 
Employee turn over in many day cares is also great due to low pay so the care givers are constantly changing and there is less personal one on one time. The pet owner must also take the time and effort to get the dog or dogs loaded up in the car and taken to the day care and then pick them up.  The hours for day care like child care are usually fixed so if you have to work overtime picking up your dog may be a problem.  The dog is also exposed to things that would not be an issue if left in the home. 
 
So which do you choose?? Obviously it will depends on your needs and those of your pet. 
 
Here are some of the advantages of a dog walker:
1)  The pet remains in familiar surroundings - same bed, same smells, same toys, same food dish, same water dish, etc. throughout the day except for the time of the walks.
2)  If there is more than one dog in the home, the cost of dog walking can be much less.
3)  The pet owner is not inconvenienced in having to take and pick up the dog(s).
4)  The pet owner does not have to worry if running a little late getting to the day care.
5)  The pet gets one on one personal attention from the dog walker.  The dog walker does not have to deal with 20 or 30 dogs at a time.
6)  The dog walker and pet can develop a trusting relationship.  Even where more than one dog walker is involved it is still fewer people (and hopefully much less turn over) than a pet encounters at a day care.
7) Since the most dogs we walk at one time is 3, your dog will not have to interact with large numbers of dogs for long periods of time and if necessary your dog can be walked by itself or just with your other dog(s) avoiding the stress of being around a lot of strange dogs.
8) In dog walking, the route may be changing a lot which is more interesting for your dog.
9) The dog walker and pet owners have more of a relationship.