Dog walking is one of the fastest-growing segments of the pet-care industry. Whether you want to turn your love of pups into a weekend side hustle or you’re already managing a six-figure dog-walking business, the very first step to winning new clients is the same: a standout dog walker resume.
Yet most applicants still send generic, one-page resumes that barely mention canine skills, let alone showcase reliability, pet first-aid knowledge, or five-star client ratings. you’ll find seven laser-focused sections that teach you exactly how to write a resume for every career stage from dog walker resumes with no experience versions to advanced multi-service CVs. You’ll see live snippets, learn which dog-walking resume skills matter most, and get SEO-approved templates ready to copy and customize.
By the end you’ll not only know how to put dog walking on a resume you’ll have a polished document that fetches interviews faster than a Labrador retrieves a tennis ball.
Entry-Level Dog Walker Resume Example
When you have limited or zero paid experience, your biggest assets are passion, trustworthiness, and transferable skills. Use a friendly but professional tone that shows love for animals and a willingness to learn.
What to Include
| Section | Tips & Keywords |
|---|---|
| Contact Info | Use a professional email (e.g., [email protected]) and add your city to reassure local clients. |
| Profile / Objective | Replace tired objectives with a value-packed statement like the one above. Keywords: entry-level dog walker resume, reliable dog lover. |
| Skills | • Leash handling • Time management • Basic obedience cues • Pet CPR & First Aid • Communication with owners |
| Experience(Volunteer counts!) | Volunteer Dog Walker, City Paws Shelter 🇺🇸 2024–Present | “Guided 25+ adoptable dogs weekly, reducing kennel stress by 30%.” |
| Education & Certifications | A high school diploma is fine; add online certificates (Fear Free Shelters, Red Cross pet first aid, etc.). |
Why it works: quantifies responsibilities and includes “behavior notes,” a phrase pet-care companies search for.
Experienced Dog Walker Resume Example
Once you’ve clocked hundreds of walks, your resume should pivot from enthusiasm to proof of performance.
Must-Have Sections
- Core Competencies – Multi-dog pack control, client onboarding, pet-sitting upsells, route planning software (Time To Pet, Scout).
- Results-Driven Achievements – “Cut average pick-up wait times by 15 % by mapping staggered blocks.”
- Add-On Services – Highlight pet-sitting, basic training, and medication administration.
Consider completing the Red Cross Cat & Dog First-Aid course to boost owner confidence.
Part-Time Dog Walker Resume Example
Students, freelancers, or retirees often juggle dog walking with other commitments. Recruiters care most about availability and reliability.
Profile Sample:
Dependable part-time dog walker available evenings (after 5 p.m.) and weekends. Managed 10 recurring clients via Rover, averaging 15 walks/week. Familiar with pet tracker apps and contactless key drop-off.
Key Pointers
- State your schedule upfront: saves client’s guesswork.
- Emphasize quick response time: “Respond to walk requests within 15 minutes.”
- Highlight complementary jobs: if you’re a sports coach or nurse assistant, stress physical stamina or caregiving skills.
Rover’s own guide on how to become a dog walker explains the platform’s requirements and best practices.
Full-Time Professional Dog Walker Resume Example
Running dog walking as a business demands evidence of operations, scale, and client loyalty.
Pro Summary:
Full-time dog walker & small-business owner delivering 2,000+ walks yearly. Employs three insured staff, uses Time To Pet to automate schedules, and boasts 150 five-star client reviews.
What to Showcase
- Scale Metrics – annual walks, average route distance, revenue growth.
- Leadership – hiring, training, payroll, marketing.
- Safety Protocols – incident logs, emergency plans, insurance.
- Community Presence – shelter partnerships, charity events, blogs, or TikTok tips.
Dog Walker Resume with Pet Sitting Experience
Combining walking with overnight care increases earnings by up to 60 %. Make that versatility clear.
Resume Tweaks
- Add a Services & Rates mini-table (e.g., 30-min walk $25, Overnight $85).
- Include house-sitting tasks: mail pickup, plant watering, and alarm checks.
- Use keywords pet sitter dog walking resume and dog walker responsibilities resume.
Dog Walker Resume Highlighting Dog Training or Grooming Skills
If you hold obedience-training certificates or can clip nails like a pro, flaunt it!
Profile Sample:
Certified Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) doubling as a walker. Specializes in loose-leash skills, impulse control, and light grooming (bath, brush, nail trim) during walks.
How to Position Specialized Skills
- Rename your headline: “Dog Walker & Certified Trainer.”
- List training methods: clicker, positive reinforcement, BAT.
- Quantify behavior results: “Cut leash-pulling incidents 80 % in three weeks for 6 dogs.”
- Mention grooming add-ons: coat-brush sessions, paw checks, ear cleaning.
Best Practices for Writing a Dog Walker Resume
- Use a clean, ATS-friendly template
- Choose single-column layouts if you’re entry-level; seasoned pros may use subtle two-column formats.
- Save the final file as a PDF unless the employer asks for DOCX.
- Start with a compelling summary
- Replace bland objectives with a 2-3-line snippet showing value (“1,500+ dog walks accident-free”).
- Keyword-optimize naturally
- Sprinkle variations—dog walking resume, dog walker resume example, pet sitter dog walker resume—in headings and bullets.
- Include geographic terms if you target local clients (“NYC dog walker resume”).
- Quantify everything
- Walks per week, average distance, client retention, incident reduction, revenue growth. Numbers beat adjectives.
- Highlight certifications
- Pet CPR & First Aid, CPDT-KA, Fear Free, PSI Pet Sitter, insured & bonded status.
- Show soft skills
- Reliability, communication, problem-solving, stamina, and of course a genuine love for dogs.
- Tailor for each listing
- Copy the phrasing from the dog walker job description for the resume section of an ad; tweak bullets to mirror it.
- Add social proof
- Mention 5-star ratings, client testimonials, or press features (e.g., “Featured in Dallas Morning News pet-care column”).
- Avoid common mistakes
- Don’t say “Responsible for walking dogs”—instead start with “Walked 12 dogs daily…”.
- Skip unrelated hobbies unless they add value (e.g., marathon running demonstrates fitness).
- End with a call to action
- “Available for walks Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Contact: 555-123-DOGS.”
Ready to Fetch Your Next Interview?
Writing the perfect dog walker resume is only half the journey. Once you’re ready to test the job market—or explore a new career path head over to Rezoom.io. Rezoom’s AI-powered platform helps you:
- Instantly grade your resume for ATS compliance
- Practice interview questions with real-time feedback
- Discover personalized career paths in pet care and beyond
Rezoom is simply the best way to understand your career options, prepare for interviews, and create a professional resume that stands out.
Sign up today, upload your shiny new dog walking resume, and watch your pet-care career take off!
Frequently asked questions
Focus on volunteer dog walking, pet sitting for friends, or shelter work. Emphasize soft skills (punctuality, love of animals) and list any pet-care courses you’ve taken. Use headings like Entry-Level Dog Walker Resume Example to inspire structure.
Key hard skills: leash handling, canine body-language reading, route planning apps, pet first aid. Key soft skills: reliability, communication, time management. Don’t forget “physical fitness” and “weather preparedness.”
Objectives are outdated; write a Professional Summary instead: “Friendly animal-lover certified in Pet CPR, ready to provide safe, enriching walks for NYC pets.”
Use numbers and outcomes: “Walked 20 dogs/week with zero incidents,” “improved leash manners for 5 reactive dogs,” “maintained 100 % repeat-booking rate.”
Absolutely—owners value a one-stop solution. Use a subheading like Dog Walker & Pet Sitter and detail overnight care duties, medication administration, and client updates.
Keep it to one page unless you have 10+ years or extensive certifications. If you go longer, ensure every bullet adds new value.
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