For many pet parents, finding a dog walker is as important as finding a great babysitter for your children. Coincidentally, many of the characteristics that one would look for in a child caregiver are also those that are found in all the best dog walkers. If you are looking for the perfect person to give your dog the exercise that he or she needs throughout the day, there are a few things that you can do to find the best fit possible.

Before you hire someone, ask for and check their references. All good walkers will be able to refer you to past and current clients who can attest to their trustworthiness and the quality of the care and attention that they will give to your pet. This will give you the opportunity to ensure that they will do their job well, even if you will not be home to greet them each day.

Give your dog and their new friend time to bond and interact before leaving them alone. You know your dog better than anyone else, so do feel free to share his likes or dislikes with this new important person. Some pets will feel better about getting to know someone new if their trusted humans are with them when they first meet. Not only will this allay some of your pet's stress, it can also allay some of your own.

Follow up with your new walker after the first few appointments. Even after you have hired someone that you trust, you must keep the lines of communication open. This will allow you to track how their relationship is developing and ensure that they are continuing to get along with each other, and with any of the other dogs that this professional cares for.

When searching for the right dog walker, it is important to do your research to ensure that they are trustworthy and will give your pet the care and attention that he or she deserves.