Tipping Dog Walkers and Pet Caregivers the Right Way

Tipping dog walkers and pet caregivers can be a bit tricky, but it's a great way to show your appreciation for their hard work and dedication to your furry friends.

A standard tip for dog walkers is around 10-15% of the total service cost, but some pet owners choose to tip based on the frequency and duration of the walks.

You can also consider tipping for special services like administering medication or providing in-home pet care, which may require more expertise and attention.

If you're unsure about the tipping amount, you can always ask your dog walker or pet caregiver for their preference.

People who receive tips for their work typically do so because they provide a service that's considered discretionary, like dog walkers do.

Servers at restaurants often receive tips because they're expected to provide a high level of service, which can be a challenge, especially during busy hours.

In the dog walking industry, it's common for clients to tip their walkers for going above and beyond, like taking extra photos of their dogs or giving them extra attention.

Some people tip their dog walkers because they feel it's a way to show appreciation for the extra effort they put in.

Many dog walkers consider tips to be a part of their earnings, especially if they're self-employed and don't receive a regular salary.

You can tip your dog walker, sitter, or boarder, but it's not required. A tip is a nice gesture that shows appreciation for their work.

The amount you tip depends on the service and your satisfaction with it. For dog walkers, 15-20% is a common range, but it's not expected.

You can tip before or after the service, and some apps like Wag! make it easy to add a tip. If you're unsure how to tip, you can simply ask your pet care provider.

A tip can be a great way to show your gratitude and encourage your pet care provider to request your bookings in the future. It's also a nice way to ensure they continue to care for your pet.

Here's a rough guide to tipping amounts:

Keep in mind that tipping is not mandatory, but it's a nice way to show appreciation for the hard work your pet care provider does.

If you're not able to tip your dog walker, there are still ways to show your appreciation. Sometimes, these alternatives can mean more than a small tip.

A positive review can be a great way to show your appreciation. For example, a five-star review can help a new business build their client base and attract more clients. In fact, a five-star review may even mean more than a $10 tip, depending on the business.

If you have friends who may use the service, referring them to your dog walker can be a huge help. This is especially important for new providers who are still building their client base. Becoming a repeat customer is also a great way to show your appreciation, as groomers and dog trainers thrive on repeat business.

Here are some alternative ways to show your appreciation:

If you're not tipping someone, there are still ways to show your appreciation. Writing a positive review can be a great alternative, and it can even mean more than a $5 tip. A five-star review can help them build their business and attract more clients.

Referring friends to a provider can also be impactful, especially for new businesses. It's especially important for new providers who may still be building a client base. I've seen friends' businesses thrive after being referred to by satisfied clients.

Becoming a repeat customer is another option. Groomers and dog trainers thrive on repeat business, so be sure to make another appointment if you like the services rendered. Regular customers can help build a loyal client base.

Here are some alternatives to tipping that can make a difference:

Remember, taking the time to leave a positive review can make a big difference for a new business. It's a great way to show your appreciation and help them get "on the map".

If you want to show your appreciation for your caregiver without tipping, there are plenty of other ways to do so. Leaving a positive review can be more impactful than a small tip, especially for new businesses.

A five-star review can help a business build its client base and attract more customers. For instance, a positive review can mean more than a $10 tip, depending on the business. You can leave reviews on major platforms such as Google, Facebook, Yelp, or Nextdoor.

Referring your friends to a caregiver can be another way to show your appreciation. If you have friends who may actually use the service, referring them to the provider may be more impactful than a small tip. This option is especially important for new providers who may still be building a client base.

Becoming a repeat customer can also be a great way to show your appreciation. If you liked the service, consider using the caregiver again. Groomers and dog trainers thrive on repeat business, so be sure to make another appointment if you like the services rendered.

See what others are reading: Service Dog Vest for Small Dogs

Here are some other ways to show your appreciation:

These alternatives can mean more than a tip, and they can help your caregiver feel valued and appreciated.

If your dog walker goes above and beyond, you may want to consider tipping. This could be for extra walks or dealing with unexpected situations.

A particularly experienced dog walker may also require a bigger tip than someone who is less experienced. This is because you're tipping for the years of experience they've built up, not just the specific walk or playtime.

Even a small gesture is appreciated, especially if your dog walker doesn't usually receive tips.

If this caught your attention, see: Tip Dog Walker

Exceptions are a great reminder that one-size-fits-all advice isn't always the best approach.

Any time a service provider goes above and beyond, you may want to consider tipping. Extra walks or dealing with unexpected situations often require a tip.

A particularly experienced individual may also require a bigger tip than someone who is less experienced.

Even a small gesture is appreciated, especially if that individual usually doesn't get tipped.

Some dogs require extra care, which can affect the amount you should tip your Pet Caregiver. Your dog might need to take medication during a dog sitting service, or they might have allergies that need to be closely monitored.

Puppies tend to be a handful, requiring more attention and care than older dogs. This can be especially true for first-time pet owners who are still learning the ropes.

Consider your dog's health, age, and breed when tipping your Pet Caregiver. The more special care your dog needs, the more you should tip, ideally.

During the holidays, people often extend a bonus of some kind to their pet care providers, especially if they don’t tip regularly throughout the year. This can be in the form of a monetary tip or a gift.

A 15-20% gratuity is a good rule of thumb for tipping pet sitters and boarders, as they take on a lot of responsibility for your pets when you're away. For example, pet sitters might perform basic household tasks like watering your plants and gathering your mail.

If you're not comfortable leaving money, you can always give a gift or gift card to your pet care provider. This can be a thoughtful way to show your appreciation for their hard work.

As a dog walker, I can attest to the fact that a nice, thick pair of socks can be a welcome gift during the winter months.

Tipping your pet caregiver through the Wag! app is a thoughtful gesture that shows appreciation for their hard work.

You can add a tip before a service by tapping "Confirm details" and then scrolling down to "Caregiver tip" on the home screen of the Wag! app.

Choose the tip percentage or tap "Custom" to leave a different amount. It's a good idea to consider tipping for extra walks, playtime, and attention, as these may warrant extra tips.

If you don't see the prompt or would like to add a tip after it expires, you can tap the menu icon in the upper left corner of the Wag! app and then tap "Past Services".

You might enjoy: App for Dog Walkers

Tap the service for which you'd like to leave a tip and then tap "+Add tip". A tip is something your pet caregiver can tuck away into their pocket and keep for themselves, especially if they're not receiving 100% of the fee for their services.

Consider tipping your pet caregiver for years of experience, as they may deserve a bigger tip than someone who is less experienced.

You can also consider other ways of tipping, such as leaving a well-written, positive online review or commenting on their social media posts.

Here are some other ways to tip your pet caregiver: