A dog walker comes to your home, typically while you're at work, and takes your dog out for a set amount of time, usually 20, 30, or 60 minutes. Beyond the walk itself, most walkers will refresh water, handle a bathroom break, and give a quick recap or photo so you know how the visit went. Some also cover midday feedings, basic medication reminders, or light play sessions for dogs that need more than a stroll around the block. Cary has 17 businesses offering this service, ranging from solo operators who know your dog's routine by name to larger companies that dispatch a rotating pool of walkers through an app.
When comparing options, look past the price per walk. Ask how the walker handles a dog that pulls, reacts to other animals, or gets spooked by the mail truck. Find out whether the same person visits each time or if you'll get a different walker week to week, whether they carry pet first-aid training, and how they handle lockouts, bad weather, or a dog that refuses to leash up. GPS tracking and post-walk notes are nice, but consistency and communication matter more day to day.
Our ranked guide to dog day care centers in Cary scores providers on factors like reliability, communication, and how they handle real-world hiccups, not just star averages. Read how we weigh those factors on our methodology page.