Deborah McCabeFinding the right person to look after your furry family member when you’re stuck at the office or heading out of town can feel really stressful.
So, you’d want someone reliable who treats your pet like family, but scrolling through endless online listings gets old fast. That’s actually why I hit the pavement to find the best dog walkers in Philadelphia and make your life a whole lot easier!
When you have a trusted pro, you can leave the house without any guilt, whether you have an energetic puppy or a slower senior dog. Let’s dive into the top local picks that keep Philly pups wagging.
How much does it cost to hire a dog walker in Philadelphia?
Hiring a professional dog walker in Philadelphia typically costs $18 to $25 for a standard half-hour session. Hourly rates run a bit lower for longer outings.
| Service Type | Average Rate Range |
| 30-Minute Walk | $18 – $25 |
| Hourly Rate | $14.17 – $14.35 |
1. Wag The Dog
Website: http://wagthedogpa.com/
Address: 1700 N 5th St #1a
Contact: (267) 580-9740 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
If you want a hyper-local team that sticks to a few core neighborhoods, Wag The Dog keeps their walkers close to your block.
I like how they do a personal interview process to learn all about your pet. They also focus on reinforced training and behavior care to help leash-reactive pups stay calm.
On top of that, they handle scheduling through the Time To Pet app and send photo updates and short reports right to your phone. They also offer stress-free in-home sitting, called Pawjama Pawties, to help ease separation anxiety while you travel.
The catch is that they only serve a narrow slice of the city, so if you live outside their zip codes, you can’t book a walk. They also don’t take last-minute or on-demand requests.
Customer Reviews
Couldn’t be happier
I’ve been using Wag the Dog for about a year and couldn’t be happier! My dog is walked daily, usually by Rory and sometimes by Lindsay. Both are fantastic! I have a stubborn Shiba Inu who can take a while to warm up to people, but she took to both of them quickly. They are also very accommodating to schedule changes – they are great at finding coverage for last minute requests and have never given me a tough time about cancelling if something comes up. I really appreciate everything wag the dog has done for my Eevee!
- Mariam Azim | Google Review
Five stars isn’t enough
Five stars isn’t enough for Wag the Dog! We’ve been boarding our floppy bundle of love here for years, and they’re hands-down one of my favorite services in Philadelphia. The team is reliable and caring. Prices are super reasonable, and the folks who run it are just solid, kind-hearted humans. If you love your dog, send them to Wag the Dog. They’ll be in excellent hands—possibly getting more attention than they do at home.
- Alison Froling | Google Review
2. The Monster Minders Dog Walking
Website: http://www.themonsterminders.com/
Address: 916 League St
Contact: (215) 925-1119 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Navigating busy city streets takes real know-how, and The Monster Minders Dog Walking brings over two decades of local work.
What I like most about them is that they stick to private, one-on-one walks. They even hire their team as W-2 employees with Paid Time Off (PTO) rather than as gig workers, which gives you a reliable group of familiar faces.
I spoke with a close neighbor who uses them often, and she praised their custom mobile app, which provides full transparency, live tracking, and quick photo reports.
They also give back to the community through their Rescue Romps program with the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).
Just know they require at least one walk per week. So they’re a less easy fit if you only need occasional care while working from home.
Customer Reviews
Invaluable peace of mind
We have loved working with Monster Minders over the past two years and have come to depend on them for weekday afternoon walks. Knowing that our dogs are taken care of while we’re at work gives us invaluable peace of mind. In addition to their reliability, we especially appreciate how proactive and communicative the company is. Goose and Roo are always excited for walks with their minder Tyler, and we look forward to the thoughtful updates and pictures that Tyler provides after every walk.
- Kathryn Seen | Google Review
Could not be happier
Have been using Monster Minders, specially Shannon for 3 years now and could not be happier! We love knowing that our pup gets some love and attention while we are at work all day. The updates we get via the app give us a little burst of happiness during the work day. Shannon takes amazing care of our dog. Not once in the 3 years have we ever been canceled on or had to arrange other care for our pup. Could not reccomend Monster Minders enough.
- Nick and Olivia DeLuca | Google Review
3. Top Tails Dog Walking & Cat Sitting
Website: http://www.toptailspetsitting.com/
Address: 4431 Main St
Contact: (267) 236-5009 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday-Friday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Saturday-Sunday, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Getting the same dog walker every day can really steady your pet’s routine, and Top Tails Dog Walking & Cat Sitting guarantees that consistent familiarity.
They focus on safety-first one-on-one care, so your dog can explore the neighborhood at their own pace without the stress of pack walks. You also get real-time app updates, live chat, and cute e-note report cards sent right to your phone.
They even offer recommendations for trusted local dog grooming partners if your pup got muddy on the trails.
The downside is the service area is tight. It’s pretty much limited to spots in Northwest Philadelphia, like Manayunk and East Falls. They also charge steep fees for short-notice changes or holiday bookings, which can sting if your schedule shifts a lot.
Customer Reviews
Highly recommend their services
Top Tails is wonderful! They really take the time to get to know my dog and what makes him comfortable and happy. They communicate very effectively too. I am so grateful to have them as part of my care network for my dog, especially when I have to work all day or be out of town. Highly recommend their services.
- Emily Gallo | Google Review
Dedicated to making sure routines are minimally disrupted
Top Tails did such an amazing job looking after my two cats when I was traveling out of the country for 2 weeks! We did a few trial runs before the actual trip that really helped to assuage my anxiety about leaving them, and Tanya was so accommodating and kind. I got updates daily and knowing they were well taken care of made my trip so much more enjoyable! Top tails is really dedicated to making sure routines are minimally disrupted and they get more than their basic needs taken care of. I will definitely be using in the future!
- Paige Fenn | Google Review
4. PHL PETS
Website: https://phlpets.com/
Address: 237 McClellan St
Contact: (267) 809-5023
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Finding a team that handles high-needs animals with real patience is tough. Luckily, PHL PETS openly welcomes senior, older, and hospice dogs.
The co-owner, Dina, has a strong background in dog behavior. She has studied science-based training to help anxious or leash-reactive pups.
It’s also notable that this team is a proud member of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS), adding a layer of trust to their services.
I also appreciate how they put a big focus on staying in touch. You get full doggie report cards and lovely photo updates after each visit. They have a forgiving cancellation policy, too, which gives busy owners real flexibility.
It’s just a bit of a letdown that their service area covers a small cluster of South Philly. You’ll also pay extra fees for weekends and extra pets, which can add up fast in a multi-pet home.
Customer Reviews
Treat our dog like part of the family
We’ve been using PHL Pets since last year for both dog walking and overnight sitting, and they are absolutely incredible. Dina just watched our dog Teddy this week, and I have to give a special shoutout for how trustworthy, kind, and caring she is. They treat our dog like part of the family and always send thoughtful updates that show how well he’s cared for. I can’t recommend them enough! ❤️
- Kim Phillips | Google Review
You can absolutely trust this team
These guys are amazing! Detail oriented, responsive, and caring about my dogs as if it was their own pets. I have a 15 and ten year old dogs. They get patiently walked and coddled. I get at least a half dozen photos from every walk to show me. Dina runs the organization with enthusiasm and efficiency. She has a powerful app that allows for easy scheduling and community. They have a deep pool of dog walkers, so someone is always available. You can absolutely trust this team.
- Peter Gearhart | Google Review
5. Walk This Way LLC
Website: http://www.wtwdogwalk.com/
Address: 4312 Main Street
Contact: (215) 760-3148 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Sunday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
With over 20 years of local work, Walk This Way runs a strict no-pack-walks policy. Your pet gets full one-on-one time on city sidewalks.
I used their team last summer while I was looking into local options for overnight dog boarding. One thing I like is that they offer a free in-home meet-and-greet, so you and your pet can get to know the specific walker before regular sessions begin.
On top of that, they offer a unique lock-out key service in case you ever lock yourself out. They also do small home-security extras, like bringing in your mail and rotating lights while you’re away.
The catch is the service area is tight, focused on Northwest neighborhoods and nearby suburbs. They also need custom pricing for multi-pet homes.
Customer Reviews
I trust my beloved dog with them
Recently starting using this service. My wife, dog, and I are extremely happy with Dara and her team. The level of detail inculcated into the business warrants many complements. They are flexible and are willing work with my chaotic hospital schedule. Fairly priced and extremely communicative. I trust my beloved dog with them and trust that she is in good hands. Would highly recommend.
- Michael Oliver Mudry | Google Review
