HOW TO HIRE · PETS

How to hire a group dog walker in the UK
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.

Group walks share the walker's time; control and numbers matter. Here is what to check.

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THE 60-SECOND VERSION

Hiring a group dog walker in five steps

  1. Ask the group sizeHow many dogs, and how they are matched.
  2. Ask for an assessmentA solo walk or trial before joining a group.
  3. See the vanCrates or secured compartments, ventilation, water.
  4. Agree the walk timeTime on the ground, not in the van.
  5. Agree updatesPhotos or messages after each walk.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

Check before you book

No register applies

Dog walking needs no licence anywhere in the UK: Defra's licensing guidance for England lists dog walkers among the businesses that do not need one, and none of the boarding schemes in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland covers walking. So the checks are insurance, how many dogs at once and the walker's plan for trouble.

Meet the group dog walker and see them handle your dog before the first walk. gov.uk →

Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

In England and Wales, section 3 makes the person in charge of a dog at the time — the walker as well as the owner — guilty of an offence if it is dangerously out of control, anywhere. A good walker knows each dog's triggers and keeps reactive dogs on a lead.

Tell the walker about any reactivity, and ask how they manage it. legislation.gov.uk →

Collar and tag (Control of Dogs Order 1992)

A dog in a public place must wear a collar with the owner's name and address on it or on a tag, with narrow exceptions such as working dogs. Microchipping does not replace it.

Check your dog's tag is current before handing over the lead. legislation.gov.uk →

Insurance

No law makes a group dog walker carry insurance, but public liability and cover for animals in their care are normal for a business. Ask what the policy pays if your dog is hurt, falls ill or goes missing while with them.

Ask to see the current insurance certificate.

VAT

Group dog walking is standard-rated at 20% when the walker is VAT-registered. A walker working alone under the £90,000 registration threshold does not charge VAT and has no VAT number to give.

Ask the group walker whether they are registered; one person walking a pack under £90,000 a year usually is not, and then no VAT is added. gov.uk →

“How many dogs are in each group dog walk?”

A good answer: A number one person can control — Defra's home boarding guidance uses six as a cap.

“How do you match dogs in a group?”

A good answer: By size, energy and temperament, after an assessment.

“Is the walk time on the ground or door to door?”

A good answer: A clear answer.

“Where do group walks go?”

A good answer: Secure fields, woods or parks, and lead rules.

“How are dogs kept in the van?”

A good answer: Separate crates or secured spaces, never left in heat.

“Is the group dog walker insured?”

A good answer: Yes — public liability and care of dogs.

“What if two dogs do not get on?”

A good answer: They are separated and you are told.

Booking by the hour

  • The rate per walk or per hour out, and any extra for weekend or early walks
  • The minimum booking — a regular weekly pattern, or a single walk — and whether a walk cut short by weather is charged in full
  • What you provide (lead, harness, towel, treats) and what the walker brings, such as the van and a secure field fee
  • The walk agreed before the first hour: group size, off-lead or on, where they go, and drop-off time
  • ID checked and the rating, and public liability insurance that covers dogs in a group

Walk away if

  • Large groups with one walker
  • No assessment before joining
  • Dogs loose in a van
  • No insurance
LOW
£8
TYPICAL
£11
HIGH
£15

What a group dog walker costs: £8–£15 per walk

Group dog walking is priced per walk, by length and transport, with discounts for regular weekly bookings. 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.

  1. AssessmentA solo or trial walk.
  2. CollectionDogs collected and secured in the van.
  3. WalkGroup walk in a suitable place, managed throughout.
  4. ReturnDogs dried, watered and taken home.
  5. UpdatePhotos and notes.

Group walk
Several dogs walked together by one walker.
Secure field
A fenced field hired for off-lead exercise.
Assessment walk
A first walk to judge temperament.
Dog van
A vehicle fitted with crates for dogs.
Recall
Coming back when called.
Ground time
Time actually walking, not travelling.

AFTER

When the job is done

Check your dogTired is normal; injuries, a limp or a cough are not.
Ask how it wentWho your dog played with, any issues.
Watch for stressA dog that hides from the van may need solo walks.
Review and make-it-rightLocufy's reviews are tied to real bookings. Rate it under four stars and the walker is invited to fix the problem before your review goes up.

STEP 1Tell the walker, in writingSay what happened on the group walk and what you want. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 the walker must provide the service with reasonable care and skill.
STEP 2The Locufy make-it-right stepBelow four stars, you decide whether the complaint about the group dog walker goes to the walker first. We follow it through, and then you review.
STEP 3Escalate itWith no register for a group dog walker, escalation runs through the consumer helplines, which can pass cases to Trading Standards: Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133 in England and Wales, Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 800 9060, and Consumerline on 0300 123 6262 in Northern Ireland.
STEP 4Small claimsIf the group dog walker still is not settled, the limits are £10,000 in England and Wales (small claims track), £5,000 in Scotland (simple procedure) and £5,000 in Northern Ireland (small claims court). Keep every message and invoice as evidence.

Hiring a group dog walker: questions people ask

No. No licence applies to dog walking in any UK nation.

The walker in charge, as well as you; in England and Wales the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 covers anyone in charge of a dog.

There is no general legal cap; Defra's home boarding guidance uses six, which many walkers treat as a sensible maximum.

Usually £8–£15 per walk, with £11 as a typical figure. See the group dog walking price guide for what pushes a price up or down, and search above for group dog walkers in your area.

Yes — the Control of Dogs Order 1992 requires a collar with your name and address in public.

See your vet and tell the walker in writing; the Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires reasonable care and skill.

MORE GUIDES

More hiring guides in pets

How to hire: Dog WalkingHow to hire: Doggy Day CareHow to hire: Pet TaxiHow to hire: Dog TrainingHow to hire: Puppy VisitsHow to hire: Pet SittingHow to hire: Dog BoardingHow to hire: Dog GroomingAll 701 hiring guides →

Group dog walkers near you

Group dog walkers in LondonGroup dog walkers in ManchesterGroup dog walkers in BirminghamGroup dog walkers in GlasgowGroup dog walkers in BelfastAll group dog walkers on Locufy →

Sources — checked October 2026

  1. gov.uk (Defra) — dog day care licensing guidance
  2. gov.uk (Defra) — home boarding for dogs licensing guidance
  3. Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, section 3
  4. Control of Dogs Order 1992, article 2
  5. Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 49 — reasonable care and skill
  6. gov.uk — make a court claim for money: court fees
  7. mygov.scot — make a court claim for money
  8. nidirect — small claims process
  9. VAT rates — VAT rates for goods and services: standard rate 20% on most goods and services
  10. GOV.UK — Register for VAT: when to register