How much does dog walking cost?
Updated 19 Oct 2026
Typical cost per walk
£10 – £20
Dog walking in the UK typically costs £10–£20 per walk. Group walks sit at the lower end and solo walks at the upper, with hour-long walks costing more than half-hour ones. Regular weekly bookings usually attract a lower rate than ad-hoc walks. What matters more than the price is insurance and how many dogs your walker takes at once.
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Group walk (30–60 min) | £10 – £15 |
| Solo walk, 30 minutes | £12 – £20 |
| Solo walk, 1 hour | £15 – £25 |
| Puppy visit / short check-in | £10 – £15 |
| Weekly block booking | 10 – 20% less |
| Bank holiday surcharge | +£5 – £15 |
Typical UK guide prices — see the note at the foot of this page.
Group or solo?
Group walks are cheaper because the walker is covering several dogs at once, and for a sociable, well-recalled dog they are often better — dogs get company as well as exercise.
Solo walks cost more and suit dogs who are reactive, nervous, elderly, recovering from injury, or simply do not enjoy other dogs. They also suit dogs whose recall is not reliable, since a walker managing one dog can give it full attention.
The question worth asking about group walks is how many dogs go out together. There is no single national limit, but many local authorities set restrictions for their own parks and land, and a walker handling a large group cannot realistically supervise all of them. Six is a lot. Ask, and ask how they are transported.
Ask too whether your dog will be off lead, and whether the walker has met your dog before deciding.
Insurance, licensing and keys
Ask for proof of public liability insurance covering dogs in their care. This is the main thing to check, and it should be produced without hesitation. If your dog causes an accident or damage while with a walker, this is what covers it.
On licensing: home boarding and day care for dogs generally require a licence from the local council under the animal activities licensing regime, and standards are inspected. Dog walking alone is usually not licensable in the same way, though some councils operate their own permit schemes for commercial walking on their land. If your walker also boards dogs, ask to see the licence.
Practically, you will probably be giving someone a key. Agree how it is held, whether it is labelled with your address — it should not be — and what happens if the arrangement ends.
Ask what happens if your dog is injured or falls ill during a walk: which vet they would use, and whether they have authority to act.
What to expect from a good walker
A meet-and-greet before the first paid walk, where they meet your dog on home ground and ask questions about recall, temperament, triggers and health.
A written agreement covering emergencies, vet consent, cancellation terms and what happens in extreme weather.
Updates — most walkers now send a photo or a short message after each walk, and it is a reasonable expectation.
Honesty about suitability. A walker who says your reactive dog would be better on solo walks than in their group is looking after your dog rather than their diary.
And sensible weather judgement. Dogs should not be walked hard in high summer heat, and a walker who quietly shortens a walk and cools a dog down on a hot day is doing exactly the right thing.
How to keep the cost down
Book a regular weekly block rather than ad-hoc walks — most walkers discount by ten to twenty percent.
Choose group walks if your dog genuinely enjoys company and recalls reliably.
Use a 30-minute walk rather than an hour if that meets your dog's needs. For many dogs it does.
Share with a neighbour who has a dog — some walkers price two dogs from the same address well below two separate collections.
And avoid bank holidays and peak periods where you can, since surcharges are normal.
Frequently asked questions
How much does dog walking cost?+
£10–£20 per walk. Group walks are typically £10–£15, solo half-hour walks £12–£20 and solo hour walks £15–£25.
Is a group walk or a solo walk better?+
Group walks are cheaper and good for sociable dogs with reliable recall. Solo walks suit reactive, nervous, elderly or recovering dogs, and any dog whose recall is not dependable.
How many dogs should a walker take at once?+
There is no single national limit, though some councils restrict numbers on their own land. Ask how many go out together and how they are transported — a large group cannot realistically be supervised properly.
Does a dog walker need insurance?+
It is not a legal requirement in the way licensing is, but public liability cover for dogs in their care is essential. Ask for proof before booking.
Do dog walkers need a licence?+
Walking alone is generally not licensable, but home boarding and day care do require a local council licence under the animal activities licensing regime. If your walker also boards, ask to see it.
What should happen before the first walk?+
A meet-and-greet at your home, questions about recall, temperament and health, and a written agreement covering vet consent, emergencies and cancellations.
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