Ever had your dog give you the stink eye during a Zoom call? If you have, it’s because London’s hectic workdays aren’t exactly a walk in the park for energetic pups.
Finding someone you trust with your keys and furry best mate takes more than a quick Google search. Even the best dog trainers can’t replace a good daily romp around the neighbourhood.
So, we compared local services, safety credentials, and walking arrangements across the capital. Here’s our pick of the best dog walkers in London to keep those tails wagging!
How much does it cost to hire a dog walker in London?
Dog walkers in London typically charge £12 to £18 for a 30-minute walk. A full hour costs £15 to £50, depending on whether your dog walks solo or with a group.
Here’s a quick breakdown of typical rates:
| Service | Typical Cost |
| 30-minute walk | £12–£18 |
| 60-minute group walk | £15–£25 |
| 60-minute solo walk | £20–£50 |
| Puppy or pop-in visits (30–60 minutes) | £14–£28 per visit |
| Full-day doggy day care | £28.59–£50+ per day |
Group walks are usually easier on the wallet. Solo walks cost more but give your pup undivided attention.
How We Reviewed
- Walk Format and Group Size: We checked each provider’s maximum pack numbers and verified if they offer dedicated one-on-one time alongside social group outings.
- Safety and Credentials: Our team looked for police checks, full insurance coverage, Royal Parks licences, and real-time GPS (Global Positioning System) tracking tools.
- Scheduling Flexibility: We compared operating hours, weekend availability, and backup staffing to see who covers evening shifts or sudden timetable changes.
- Post-Walk Care and Training Support: We gave higher marks to walkers who top up water bowls, handle meal times, and reinforce polite lead manners in the park.
- Postcode Coverage: We mapped out every company’s exact territory so you can quickly spot who covers your home neighbourhood.
1. Paws Galore Pet Sitters
Address: 3 Marquis Rd
Contact: 07799 848677
Hours: Monday–Friday: 8 AM–7 PM, Saturday–Sunday: 10 AM–6 PM
Paws Galore Pet Sitters makes juggling dog walks and pet care around London’s hectic schedules a breeze. They offer daily walks and pet-sitting services, perfect for busy owners who can’t always make it home.
We like how walkers collect dogs on foot, skipping the dreaded van rides. Group walks accommodate just four dogs, keeping the pack small and manageable.
After each outing, they’ll top up water bowls and handle feeding if needed. Trusted pups can even enjoy off-lead adventures with your written consent.
For peace of mind, the company says its walkers undergo police checks and carry insurance. You can even request a communication book for updates on your furry mate’s escapades.
The catch? Group-walk availability varies by area, while solo walks cost £4–£5 more per hour.
Customer Reviews
I couldn’t recommend more highly!
Incredibly reliable, friendly and trustworthy service. We have been using Paws Galore over the past year for a daily lunchtime walk for our two dogs while we are at work, and quite honestly, they couldn’t be happier. Becky is brilliant with our two, putting in so much effort to ensure their walks are exciting and varied despite the limited surroundings – I couldn’t recommend more highly!
- Linnet Dixon | Google Review
My dog walker Andrea is lovely
I’ve been using Paws Galore since the beginning of the year, and the service has been brilliant. Kacey, who deals with all the accounts, is prompt in response and helpful. My dog walker Andrea is lovely and sends me update photos of my dog regularly, which I find highly amusing and a little insight into what my dog gets up to when I’m not there. I find everything safe and reliable and completely trust them to walk my dog.
- Gemma Young | Google Review
2. Happy Hounds & Cooler Cats
Address: 33 Connaught Road
Contact: 020 3743 9247
Hours: Daily, 8 AM to 6 PM
When your regular dog walker calls in sick, Happy Hounds & Cooler Cats has a backup plan.
We love how their coordinated team arranges replacement walkers, so your pup’s daily adventures don’t grind to a halt.
Better yet, their police-checked, insured walkers know their local parks and quieter routes. They tailor outings to suit energetic pups and slower seniors, keeping group walks to a maximum of six dogs.
For added flexibility, they offer evening and weekend walks, doggy daycare, and overnight boarding. That makes them a handy one-stop option when your work schedule goes a bit barking mad.
Plus, their team can accommodate specific feeding, medication, and exercise needs. With over 25 years in the business, they’ve had plenty of practice keeping London’s tails wagging.
Do note that they mainly cover East and North East London, while regular group walks generally run between 11 AM and 2:30 PM.
Customer Reviews
I can’t rate them highly enough.
Our pup absolutely loves his two-weekly walks with Maison; it’s nice knowing he’s with someone who adores him as much as we do and takes care of him like he were her own. The group walks have also been excellent for socialising him, turning him from a sometimes reactive dog to a dog that gets on with everyone. I can’t rate them highly enough.
- Laura Scott | Google Review
Our little pooch loves her group walks every week.
Happy Hounds are amazing – our little pooch loves her group walks every week. They have helped her be more sociable with other dogs, and really improved her confidence. All of the walkers are so lovely. We have a regular walker who is amazing, but any other walkers that step in when needed are always so kind (especially as our rescue dog has some quirks and can be nervous of new people).
- Alex MacNaughton | Google Review
3. The Dog Walker Wimbledon
Dog walking Service area: SW19 and SW20 postcodes
Contact: +447537884895
Hours: Walks can start as early as 8 AM and as late as 9 PM, subject to availability
Early shifts or late finishes? The Dog Walker Wimbledon caters to awkward schedules, offering walks from 8 AM to 9 PM, subject to availability.
Since 2011, they’ve helped local pups stretch their legs, mainly around Wimbledon Common. We like that every group outing includes a full hour of exercise, excluding pick-up and drop-off time.
Their packs max out at four dogs, so things don’t turn into a canine free-for-all. Plus, their DBS-checked, insured walkers offer extra reassurance when you’re handing over your furry mate.
Beyond walkies, they cover puppy visits, daycare, and overnight boarding. You can even arrange a free initial consultation to discuss your dog’s needs.
However, dog walking and daycare availability currently covers only SW19 and SW20, while evening and weekend walks cost £3 more than standard weekday sessions.
Customer Reviews
Couldn’t recommend enough
Norman comes back exhausted each day. From the pictures, he looks like he’s had a fun day. It’s great they go from a nice walk in the common before going off to someone’s house – exactly what I was after.
Couldn’t recommend enough.
- Sandy May | Google Review
They have never let us down
Highly recommend – Kevin + Paul are trustworthy and reliable. Our miniature dachshund gets collected twice a week for a walk and they have never let us down. Kevin is flexible with holidays as well if we need a week off from the walking service. Thanks, Kevin + Paul!
- Laura Ainsworth | Google Review
4. VolPets London Ltd
Address: Lancaster Gate
Contact: +44 20 4620 4398
Hours: Monday–Friday, three scheduled park sessions from 7:30 AM to 3 PM. Collection and drop-off times vary.
Got a pup with energy to burn? VolPets London offers 90-minute park walks with training reinforcement, giving lively dogs more than a quick trot.
To keep things manageable, they match dogs in groups of four. We appreciate how walkers reinforce basic commands, too.
Safety also gets its own attention. Their climate-controlled vans have GPS tracking and dash cams, while DBS-checked, insured walkers use Tractive GPS.
Meanwhile, familiar walking groups help dogs settle into a routine. It’s a clever fit for busy commuters who want regular exercise with a dash of canine schooling.
The catch? Routine walks run on weekdays only, and fixed monthly fees still apply when your pup misses an outing.
Customer Reviews
We cannot say how much they have helped us as first-time dog owners.
We have had a wonderful experience with VolPets. They are very caring with our dog, who looks forward to his walk every morning. They communicate well with the owners and group similar dogs together so that they have a consistent group each day. We cannot say how much they have helped us as first-time dog owners.
- Jennifer Ryan | Google Review
Volpets is the best!
Volpets is the best! Our three-year-old Labrador, Riley, has been walking with Volpets since she was old enough to go on walks. They have been absolutely incredible with her and I trust them 100%. Fabian leads the team at Volpets and he is completely committed to the dogs and just the most lovely and caring person. He always gets back to me immediately with any question (not that I have many) and makes sure that Riley gets the best care
- Hahnah Seminara | Google Review
5. Kensington Hounds Ltd
Address: Flat 2A, 16-18 Wrights Lane
Contact: [email protected]
Hours: Monday–Thursday: Group walks between 8:30 AM and 3:30 PM. Friday: Special day trips, subject to eligibility and availability
Not every pup enjoys a park packed with unfamiliar dogs. Kensington Hounds keeps things civilised with behaviour-trained walkers and Royal Parks-licensed outings around Kensington Gardens.
Before the first walk, a lead handler visits your home for a free consultation. From there, your dog enjoys a full hour of exercise in groups of no more than four.
For extra peace of mind, their walkers are DBS-checked and insured. They use reward-based training techniques to encourage good manners without spoiling the fun.
Fancy something beyond the usual park circuit? Eligible dogs can join special Friday excursions, while membership offers training perks and service discounts.
That said, membership starts at £50 monthly on top of walking fees, which isn’t ideal for occasional bookings. Regular group walks run Monday to Thursday, leaving weekend coverage off the table.
Customer Reviews
The team is great!
Been using Kensington Hounds for around 6 months to train our Cavapoo puppy and for twice weekly walks when we work. The team is great!
Drew is an exceptional trainer and has not only taught us how to train our dog with positive encouragement; not scolding or punishing her. He understands and is able to clearly explain why our dog does certain things and the best way to set up better patterns.
- Rebecca Boland | Google Review
Thank you so much, Kensington Hounds!
Drew, Georgie and their walkers are incredibly kind, professional, reliable, flexible, full of love for the dogs, and full of wisdom! They walk Theo twice a day when I’m at work and often take him home when I’m travelling. They really care. I couldn’t recommend them more highly. Thank you so much, Kensington Hounds!
- Lucy Demery | Google Review
