Turbo charge your walks with our legendary dog runners
Our team of NYC dog runners start every run with a good warm up to stretch the muscles, get into the mood and go to bathroom (if necessary). Once the run gets moving, we work up a jog and make sure to maintain a good pace throughout. Every dog run also includes a cool down period so they can go to the bathroom once more, hydrate, and get ready for a well deserved nap.
- We include warm ups, cool downs, potty breaks, & water breaks
- Work with one primary dog runner – meet him/her before the first visit
- Detailed pup-report sent after each visit
- Receive Check-in / check-out alerts when your runner arrives / leaves
- See where they ran using the GPS tracking feature
- Communicate directly with your dog walker NYC through our app
- Photos from the visit
- Payments Are fully automated
How Puptopia works
Tell us about your pup
Fill out our new client contact form so that we can learn all about your pup and match them with the perfect Puptopia pal.
Meet your dog walker
Consistency is important! So we typically assign one walker per family, introduce you before getting started, and keep them as your regular walker
Schedule your walks
Fill out our new client contact form so that we can learn all about your pup and match them with the perfect Puptopia pal.
NYC Dog Running Rates
Frequently asked dog walking NYC questions
What time will my dog be walked?
We use a two hour pick-up window
Due to the complexity of our Pup Parent’s varying schedules and the unique challenges of maneuvering through NYC in all climates, we reserve a two-hour window around the time of your scheduled walk. For example, if your pup is scheduled for a 3PM walk, you can expect your walker will arrive sometime between 2PM and 4PM. This window helps us manage constantly varying schedules, bad weather, toweling dogs off after rainy or snowy days, varying travel times between clients, and of course elevators that sometimes take forever to come for what ever reason. We offer a 1-hour pickup window for puppies under 6 months of age and senior pups.
How do I pay?
Automatically, through your client portal
We accept all major credit cards, and payments are fully automated through your NYC Pooch client portal. With the exception of overnight sitting and training, which is billed in advance, your card will be automatically charged each week for the previous week of services. We typically process billing on Mondays, however occasionally on Tuesdays during a holiday week. We do not have any contracts or minimums and keeping track of every detail it’s easy in your online portal/app.
Do I need a regular schedule?
Regular vs occasional
Establishing a regular schedule for your dog is recommended. This helps us allocate our walkers and ensures everyone gets walked within their desired time frames. That said, we are happy to accommodate clients with occasional dog walking needs based on availability.
What if my dog walker gets sick or goes on holiday?
We’ve got you covered!
If your regular walker is unavailable for whatever reason (sick, vacation, emergency at home) we will ALWAYS have your walk covered. Our goal is to give you as much notice as we can about coverage (generally at least a few days in advance) but sometimes when a walker get’s sick, we may notify you the morning of that a substitute will be filling in. If you prefer to cancel on days that you have a sub, that’s completely fine. Otherwise rest assured knowing that our alternate team consists solely of rockstar dog walkers who are used to adapting to all kinds of situations and meeting all sorts of different pups. They will be fully prepped on your dog’s individual personality and routine and come ready to give them a great walk.
What is your cancelation policy?
We have a 24 hour cancelation policy
If you need to cancel a walk or service, please let us know the day before. This gives us time to reallocate the time to a different pooch. If you have to make a last minute cancel, please do so by no later than 8am on the day of the scheduled visit. Cancels received after 8am the day of the visit will be charged the full price of the visit. Weekend/evening/early morning walks must be cancelled with 24 hours notice, otherwise will be charged the full price of the visit.
Do you walk dogs individually or in a group?
We offer both solo and buddy walks
Most of our walks are individual. We’re more than happy to walk pups with a buddy or two as long as the they are of similar size, temperament and with permission from all Pup Parents. We never pack walk.
Can you accommodate last minute requests?
We sure do!
We know that sometimes you are in a pinch and need help caring for your furry family member, and we’ll always do the best we can to accomodate. Should you have a last minute request, please try and let us know before our office closes so we can do our best to make it happen. If your schedule changes from week to week, submit your requests via the portal (or via email) so we can plan and make sure your pup is covered. The more notice you can give, the better. Our office is open M-F 9-5pm. if you catch us outside of these hours, someone will respond to your request first thing the next business day.
How does the walker access my home?
We can hold a set or check out with your doorman
You can either make a spare set of keys for your walker to keep on their ring, or if you have a doorman/front desk you are welcome to leave your key for us to sign out. We ask that you make sure your front desk has our info specific walker’s name on file. Don’t worry, if your walker is ever out sick or on vacation we will take care of the key handoff or notify you with plenty of time to alert your front desk.
Are your walkers Insured / Bonded?
Absolutely!
We work with the most highly regarded insurance company in our industry, Pet Sitters International and Insurers of the Carolinas. Every person on our staff is fully insured and bonded!
How do you hire and train your walkers?
It’s the most important thing we do!
Finding truly amazing and special people to walk our beloved dogs is no easy task. It’s pretty much the most important thing we do besides take great care of our pups. In fact, only a very small percentage of our applicants become walkers. Why, you ask? Because we only work with candidates who are shining stars when it comes to understanding dogs. Applicants are chosen based on professional and personal experience. They take part in a series of in-person interviews and tests to ensure they have a proper background and understanding of dogs. Once we find a rockstar candidate, we send them out with a senior member of Team Pooch to see if they really have what it takes. The best of the best are then sent to our certified dog trainer, where they are trained using our signature training curriculum focused on positive reinforcement, health, safety, breed specific traits, gear, and problem solving.Training takes place over several days and new walkers are transitioned into their new role equipped to handle anything.
Will I work with the same walker?
Yes!
Your pup is your family, and we know how important it is to have someone that you know and trust in your home, caring for your pup. Each of our walkers has an assigned geographical neighborhood (their “route” as we like to call it) which consists of a specific set of pups that they see each day. The pups (and their parents) really do become like family, and we do our best to encourage longevity and limited turnover amongst our team. Should your walker resign or move to another route for any reason, we will notify you as far in advance as possible and give you ample opportunity to meet and get to know your new walker before they take over.
What if i need to cancel my pet sitting?
Overnight dog sitting cancelation policy
7 or more days notice, full refund– For example, if your sitting is scheduled to begin at 12PM Friday, your cancellation must be received no later than 12PM the previous Friday for a full refund. 4-6 days notice, 50% refund– For example, if your sitting is scheduled to begin at 12PM Friday, you must cancel no later than 12PM Monday of the same week for a 50% refund. 2-3 days notice, 25% refund– For example, if sitting is scheduled to begin at 12PM Friday, you must cancel no later than 12PM Wednesday of the same week for a 25% refund. 24 hours or less notice, no refund– For example, if sitting is scheduled to begin at 12PM Friday, cancellations received after 12PM on Thursday will not receive a refund for all or any part of the sitting. If the scheduled sitting is cancelled, your refund will be returned as outlined in the terms above (directly to the card used for payment). If client ends sitting early for any reason, the remaining unused sitting days/nights are non-refundable.
