Whether you’re trying to find a dog daycare, a walker, or someone to help you create a training plan, choosing the right dog professional can be daunting! Here are some tips for making the best possible choice.

We’re all familiar with the phrase, “It takes a village.” Everyone needs help from time to time, even when it comes to dog care. Our modern lives are busy, and we all have obligations like work, school, and caring for friends and family. Plus, we just need a break sometimes!

Fortunately, it’s never been easier to find a pet professional. On the other hand, the dog care industry is extremely varied in terms of quality, level of professional training, and philosophy. It is largely unregulated, meaning that just about anyone can open a dog care business and call themselves an expert.

It’s very important to do your research and choose trustworthy pet professionals, which can be a challenging process. In this guide, we’ll talk about different types of dog professionals and what you need to know when hiring them. Read on to get tips for choosing the right experts to provide the support you and your dog need.

General Guidelines for Picking a Dog Pro

When you’re hiring a dog trainer or looking for a new groomer, you’re looking at two very different services. However, there are some general guidelines that you should be looking for regardless of the type of service you need. Here are some things to keep in mind when picking a dog professional.

Licensing and Insurance

Licensing requirements vary significantly from place to place. With that said, even when licensing isn’t required, the pet professionals you hire should carry insurance. Working with dogs has its risks, and something is bound to happen sooner or later.

Breed-Specific Restrictions

Some daycares, groomers, boarding kennels, and individual trainers or walkers simply won’t work with certain breeds (or sizes) of dogs. This should be stated upfront, but it’s important to check so that you don’t waste your time.

Online Reviews

Online reviews can be a great source of initial information. If the reviews are universally bad, that’s probably not a great sign! However, it’s important to remember that literally anyone can leave a review. Don’t just leave it at checking the star rating–actually take some time to read through what other people have had to say so you can get a feel for the ups and downs of working with a specific facility or individual.

Transparency

When it comes to hiring a pet pro, transparency is a big green flag. People will do a lot of things behind closed doors, and anyone you work with should be communicative, open, and willing to share updates. Make sure you have a consultation and/or tour any facilities you’re considering before you make a decision so that you can see where your dog will be and who will be caring for them.

Personal Compatibility

It’s important to feel comfortable with who is in charge of your dog. Personal compatibility is an important factor, especially if you live in an area with lots of professionals to choose from. Find someone you like and you’re happy to trust with your dog.

References

Any trustworthy pet professional should be happy to provide you with references upon request. Talking to someone who has used those services can help you determine which professional or facility is right for you.

Ask for Pet Pro Recommendations with Care (Especially Online)

Getting recommendations from people you trust is one of the best ways to find qualified pet pros you can trust. However, be careful when asking for recommendations online, especially in public groups. The quality of the recommendations you’ll get can be extremely inconsistent.

People have all kinds of opinions about dog care, and they aren’t afraid to share them–especially online. These groups run the gamut, and there are always people who will provide incorrect advice, recommend professionals using questionable methods, or shame others based on their dog, their question, or anything else.

Selecting the Perfect Groomer

Many dogs need to be clipped and trimmed every few weeks to prevent matting and other issues. While some people do this themselves, most people choose to hire a trusted groomer instead.

Grooming can be a stressful experience for dogs, especially those who dislike being handled, so it’s important to look for a groomer who will minimize that stress as much as possible. When choosing a groomer, there are lots of things to consider. Here are some questions to ask yourself:

Are the facilities clean?
How much experience do the groomers have?
Are the groomers familiar with your dog’s breed and grooming needs?
How open and communicative are the groomers? Are they willing to answer your questions and address your preferences & concerns?
What protocols and tools do they use when a dog is uncooperative to keep everyone safe?
Does the groomer use “fear-free” protocols?
How do they keep dogs comfortable and safe during grooming?
Is it an option for you to watch your dog being groomed, or to get video of the grooming process?

If you know that your puppy is going to need regular grooming visits in the future, start getting them used to these procedures immediately. Start teaching them to accept body handling and getting them used to the tools that groomers use.

Make grooming a positive experience! See if you can bring your puppy in for a few quick and fun visits to get them used to the environment. Getting your puppy used to being groomed early will reduce stress for them and the groomer–and might prevent you from being asked not to bring your dog back one day.

Picking the Right Daycare

Doggie daycare has grown in popularity significantly over the last few years. It can be a great tool for ensuring that your dog’s needs are met when you’re at work or attending school. However, there can be a big gap in quality among daycares, and it’s important to be very picky about the daycare facility you choose. Here are some questions to ask yourself and the staff:

How is the facility laid out? Is it one big room, or are there smaller areas for different groups of dogs?
Will your dog get enough rest and breaks throughout the day? Are they crated for naps?
What are the normal staff-to-dog ratios? Are they higher than, say, 1:10?
How does the daycare introduce new dogs to the group?
Do they have a “test day” policy?
What are their protocols for handling injuries and emergencies?
How do they break up fights?
Will you be able to communicate with staff about how your dog is doing?

It’s also important to realize that not every dog will thrive in a daycare situation. Some dogs might pose a danger to themselves or others in these settings and will need a different type of care, such as pack hikes, individual home visits, or going out with a dog walker one-on-one.

If your dog cannot safely interact with other dogs or unfamiliar humans, you will need to consider another option. Responsible pet professionals will be honest about a dog’s suitability for their services so you can make safer arrangements.

Choosing a Reliable Dog Walker

A dog walker can break up the day for your dog, whether you work from home or in the office. Finding someone you can trust can be difficult, however, especially if your dog has physical or behavioral challenges. Here are some questions to think about when choosing a dog walker:

What are their safety protocols? What do they do if a dog gets lost? How do they run interference if a loose dog runs up? What do they do if there’s a fight or someone gets bitten?
What equipment do they use during walks? Do they use their own equipment, or yours?
Do they have any breed or size restrictions?
What are their policies on walking multiple dogs? Do they walk multiple dogs from different households together?
How do they transport dogs? Are they crated?
Do they walk dogs around the neighborhood? Do they take them to a trail?

Depending on you and your dog, the answers to some of these questions might make you move on. Knowing what your dog needs to feel comfortable and be safe will help you choose the right walker.

Vetting a Professional House Sitter or Boarding Kennel

When you go away on vacation and leave your dog at home, the stakes can be pretty high. Finding a reputable house sitter or boarding facility will help you enjoy your vacation without worrying about your pets. Here are some things to consider when hiring a house sitter:

What kind of experience do they have?
Are they comfortable administering medications?
How much will they tailor their care to the individual pet?
Will they provide photo and video updates?
Are they willing to bring in the mail, put the trash bins out, and take care of other minor household tasks?
What are their protocols for emergencies?

Although it’s almost always better to have someone come and stay in your home to take care of your animals, this isn’t always possible. Boarding facilities vary a lot in quality, so be sure to ask a lot of questions before booking your pet’s stay, such as:

How is the facility laid out? Do the dogs have easy access to both indoor and outdoor facilities?
What is the daily schedule for dogs? How much interaction will they get?
Is the facility clean and safe?
How much training and experience does the staff have?
Can they accommodate special feeding instructions and medications?
What happens in an emergency situation?
Are the channels of communication open? Will they provide updates on dogs during their stay?
What are their policies and procedures?

Hiring a Trainer

When you’re hiring a trainer, you’re also hiring their training philosophy. For this reason, it’s important to think about what methods you do and don’t want to use with your dog. In general, a trainer is there to teach you how to work with your dog, so it’s important to go into the relationship knowing that you will need to put in some amount of effort.

The training industry is completely unregulated. However, there are some reputable organizations that do offer certifications for trainers. While these certifications indicate some level of knowledge and training, they do not necessarily mean that someone is a great trainer. Certifications can seem like a good way to start your search, but keep in mind that there are also incredible trainers who have lots of experience and no certifications–and vice versa.

For trainers, transparency is key. They should be showcasing their work–do they have videos of working with client dogs and their own dogs? Other questions to ask yourself when evaluating potential trainers include:

What’s their training philosophy?
What kinds of methods do they use?
How do they communicate about expectations and training progress?
What is their training structure? Do they offer group classes, private lessons, and/or board-and-trains?
Do they offer custom training options, or standard packages?
How much and what kind of experience do they have?
How do they talk about/treat human clients in addition to their dogs? Are they encouraging or do they rely on shame?

At SuperPup Academy, we highly recommend working only with reinforcement-focused trainers who emphasize meeting both the dog’s needs and the human’s needs. It’s very important to choose a trainer who is aligned with your preferred methods and goals!

For Peace of Mind, Choose Your Pet Pros Carefully

Do your own research. Ask lots of questions. Go with your gut.

Also? Don’t be afraid to switch things up if they’re not working out. You don’t need to add more stress onto your plate by sticking with something that isn’t working.

Not sure where to start with finding the right solutions for your dog? Sign up for our SuperPup Patreon levels and join us for a study hall, get access to our private feedback group, or get paired with an instructor for online coaching. We can help you decide what you should be looking for when picking a pro based on you and your dog’s specific needs.

Remember: the ultimate goal is that you find your village. You need knowledgeable, communicative people who will support you and your dog. Finding the right pros will give you peace of mind that your dog’s needs are being met–even when you’re stuck at work.

Choosing the Right Dog Professionals: A Comprehensive Guide