HOW TO HIRE · PETS · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
How to hire a group dog walker in Ireland
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.
A group dog walking in Ireland costs €10–€25 per walk, typically around €15. Here is how to check that in a minute, what to ask before you book, and what you must be handed when the job is done.
- Search and compare — no account needed
- Nearest to you first
- One score from Google, Trustpilot and Locufy reviews
THE 60-SECOND VERSION
Hiring a group dog walker in five steps
- Are you a trader, and can I see that in writing?No register covers group dog walker work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — varied Routes & Environments — group walks often take place in different locations, providing dogs with new sights and smells.
- How does size of the group change the price?A bigger job is harder to fit into a gap in the diary. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does duration of the walk change the price?A booked block of time costs less than the same hours spread out. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does specific needs of the dogs involved change the price?The style chosen can double the hours on the same job. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- What is not included?Professional Supervision — group dog walking is typically led by a professional dog walker — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a group dog walker job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Check before you book
No register applies
NO LICENCE OR REGISTER APPLIES TO DOG WALKERS, PET SITTERS OR GROOMERS IN IRELAND. Anyone may trade as one. The protection is insurance and what is written down — and the insurance that matters is not the obvious one.
Look for the trader badge and the ID-checked badge on the Locufy profile — both are checked by us, not claimed by the provider.
What to check instead
CARE, CUSTODY AND CONTROL cover, not just public liability — public liability pays if your dog bites a stranger; care, custody and control is what pays if your dog is injured, lost or killed while in their charge, and plenty of walkers carry only the first; How many dogs are walked at once, and whether yours is walked with strangers' dogs; Whether they are insured to drive your dog in their vehicle, and how it is secured; What happens if your dog is hurt or runs — the plan, and which vet; Keys: who holds one, how it is returned, what happens if it is lost, in writing; Two references from current clients, called not read.
Ask for each of these before you agree a price, and get the answers in the same message as the quote.
Insurance
Expect care, custody and control cover as well as public liability. You are booking an individual for a set number of hours, so ask whether the ID has been checked and what the rating is from people who booked the same way — there is no company behind them to carry either.
Ask to see the current certificate of insurance — the insurer's name, the limit and the date it runs to.
Trader or private seller
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 a trader must tell you they are a trader, and your consumer rights — work carried out with reasonable skill and care, and a cooling-off period on a contract agreed in your home or online — apply to traders and not to private sellers. On Locufy the trader status is shown on the profile.
Look for the trader badge on the Locufy profile, and ask anyone else for it in writing before you agree a price.
VAT
VAT at 23%, the standard rate Revenue publishes for this service. Ask whether the price you were given includes it. An individual working under the €42,500 registration threshold does not charge VAT at all, and does not have a VAT number to give you.
Ask whether the figure you were given includes it, and for the VAT number if they are registered — Revenue publishes the rate for this service. revenue.ie →
A good answer: No register covers group dog walker work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — varied Routes & Environments — group walks often take place in different locations, providing dogs with new sights and smells.
A good answer: A bigger job is harder to fit into a gap in the diary. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: A booked block of time costs less than the same hours spread out. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: The style chosen can double the hours on the same job. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Professional Supervision — group dog walking is typically led by a professional dog walker — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a group dog walker job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
A good answer: Expect care, custody and control cover as well as public liability — socialisation Opportunities — group dog walking provides dogs with essential socialisation opportunities.
A good answer: A written scope and a price before the group dog walker starts, and an itemised invoice after — seasonal Group Walks — themed group walks during holidays or seasons, providing a fun experience for dogs and owners.
Booking by the hour
- The rate per hour, and whether it changes in the evening or at a weekend
- The minimum booking, and what happens if the job finishes early
- What they bring and what you supply
- Whether the ID has been checked, and the rating from people who booked the same way
- Insurance, where the work can damage something or somebody
- The hours and the list of what is to be done, agreed before the first one
Walk away if
- They will not talk about it: size of the group — a bigger job is harder to fit into a gap in the diary
- They will not talk about it: duration of the walk — a booked block of time costs less than the same hours spread out
- They will not talk about it: specific needs of the dogs involved — the style chosen can double the hours on the same job
- A price for the group dog walker before anyone has asked the size, the access or the condition of what they are working on
- Cash only, or a large deposit before anything at all has started
- No written quote, or one that moves once the group dog walker has begun
What a group dog walker costs: €10–€25 per walk
The figures are for the job, per walk, and a quote for your own is the only number that binds anyone. Dog pack walks and Puppy socialisation walks each carry their own band. Group Dog Walking price guide →
Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE
Group dog walkers near you, with the badges that matter shown
ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.
Or post the job free and let them come to you.
- Look firstSize of the group — a bigger job is harder to fit into a gap in the diary — that is what the group dog walker is judging on the first visit, and a price given without it is a guess.
- Agree what is being doneDuration of the walk — a booked block of time costs less than the same hours spread out — put in writing before anyone starts, because it is the document you both read back at the end.
- The work itselfSpecific needs of the dogs involved — the style chosen can double the hours on the same job — and anything found on the day that was not in that is priced before it is started.
- Check it togetherSocialisation Opportunities — providers allow for it rather than discover it on the day — walked against the written scope rather than against the feeling of it, while the group dog walker is still there.
- What you are handedThe itemised invoice and any guarantee on the workmanship and the parts, check that the walker is insured and has relevant qualifications.
- Socialisation Opportunities
- Group dog walking provides dogs with essential socialisation opportunities.
- Professional Supervision
- Group dog walking is typically led by a professional dog walker.
- Varied Routes & Environments
- Group walks often take place in different locations, providing dogs with new sights and smells.
- Dog Pack Walks
- Walking a group of dogs together, focusing on socialisation and exercise.
- Adventure Group Walks
- Longer, more varied walks in different environments to stimulate dogs mentally and physically.
- Senior Dog Group Walks
- Gentle walks designed for older dogs, considering their pace and health needs.
AFTER
When the job is done
Hiring a group dog walker: questions people ask
The cost of group dog walking can vary based on several factors, including the size of the group, location, and duration of the walk. Additionally, more experienced walkers may charge higher rates due to their expertise.
Group dog walks usually last between 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the service provider. This duration allows sufficient time for exercise, socialisation, and exploration.
Emergency or same-day group dog walking may be available, but it often depends on the service provider's schedule. It's advisable to contact them directly for availability and any additional fees.
Yes, many dog walkers offer packages that allow for multiple related jobs, such as group walks combined with individual training sessions. This can often lead to discounts or more efficient scheduling.
Out of scope services for group dog walking may include training, grooming, or medical care. It's important to clarify with the walker what is included in their service to avoid misunderstandings.
NO LICENCE OR REGISTER APPLIES TO DOG WALKERS, PET SITTERS OR GROOMERS IN IRELAND. Anyone may trade as one. The protection is insurance and what is written down — and the insurance that matters is not the obvious one.
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