Windy City Dog Walkers is looking for dedicated individuals to join our dog walking team in Chicago, IL. Are you crazy about dogs, cats, or animals in general? Do you love Chicago and working outdoors? Are you at your best when giving belly rubs? If so, then we have the job for you!
We offer full time and part time dog walker positions with flexible hours and competitive pay. Fill out the dog walker application and attach a resume to be considered for a dog walking job with Windy City Dog Walkers. If we are not currently hiring we will keep your application on file for future consideration.
We offer full time and part time dog walker positions with flexible hours and competitive pay. Fill out the dog walker application and attach a resume to be considered for a dog walking job with Windy City Dog Walkers. If we are not currently hiring we will keep your application on file for future consideration.
Dog Walking Positions Available
Full time and part time positions
Compensation: average $15 an hour to start plus bonuses and tips
Availability: M-F availability required for full time.
Requirements: Provide your own transportation as needed and cell phone.
Compensation: average $15 an hour to start plus bonuses and tips
Availability: M-F availability required for full time.
Requirements: Provide your own transportation as needed and cell phone.
Hiring FAQ
How much do dog walkers in Chicago make per hour?
Dog walkers working for Windy City Dog Walkers earn a starting wage of $15 an hour plus bonuses and tips. Bonuses are added for additional dogs in the household or for evening, weekend, and holiday walks. Walkers can earn $21+ an hour on evenings/weekends and $33+ an hour on holidays. Raises are given yearly and can be earned even sooner for those who excel beyond the norm.
How do I become a dog walker in Chicago?
To become a dog walker in Chicago with Windy City Dog Walkers you must first fill out the online application and attach a resume to be considered. A phone consultation is the next step to confirm the details of your application and confirm availability for any routes we are hiring for. A sit down interview at our office is then arranged to discuss the job in great detail and learn more about you and your goals at Windy City Dog Walkers.
Can dog walking become a career?
Dog Walking is what you make of it! Many walkers at Windy City Dog Walkers have been here for over 5 years and have grown in the company to become field and office managers. We have part time and full time dog walkers and can be flexible with your schedule and personal goals in work, school, or life. Apply today to learn more.
How big of an area would I be working in?
Windy City Dog Walkers designs each dog walker’s route with them in mind. If you have a bike, we might set you up with a route that is a smaller geographic space but densely populated. If you have a car, it might be best to work in an area that has greater amounts of street parking but you’d most likely cover a larger area. The area and the dogs on your route are ultimately up to you.
How many dogs would I be walking at the same time?
Windy City Dog Walkers has a strong focus with one on one care. We only walk for one client’s pets at a time. Most of our clients only have one or two dogs. The clients that do have multiple dogs in a home are charged a slightly higher rate. Those additional funds are passed on to the walker in the form of a bonus. The clients that you are working with would be per your approval. You decide which clients you want to work with.
Do dog walkers have shifts? What are the hours that I can expect to work?
Over 80% of our business takes place during the business day. Most of our dog walkers work from around 10am through 4pm, Monday through Friday. If a client requests a walk for an evening or weekend, we will present that walk to you as an optional addition to your schedule. If you would like to make the extra money (off peak hour visits have additional financial incentives) it is your option. Windy City Dog Walkers has a series of backup walkers and management staff that can cover walks when you aren’t available. We do need you to be consistently available for about the same hours Monday through Friday.
Do I need a bike or car to be a dog walker?
We have a few dog walkers that actually walk their route but we find that most walkers benefit from either a car or bike. Using the CTA is too slow and using a car sharing service like Uber or Lyft is too expensive. You are compensated not by time but by visits performed. Limiting your travel time between clients is the best way to stay on time with your schedule as well as making more money. Over the course of time, your route can become more compact which could enable you to start walking part or most of your day.
How does compensation work?
Dog walkers working for Windy City Dog Walkers are paid an average wage equivalent to $15 an hour to start plus bonuses and tips. We have reviews annually with competitive raises based on performance. All walkers are paid weekly via check or direct deposit. You are compensated based on the walks you performed that week. Walkers also have an opportunity to make extra money with client referrals.
How is Windy City Dog Walkers different from the walker’s perspective?
Windy City Dog Walkers is not an “on-demand” dog walking service. We have regular clients that need us consistently every week around the same general time. This is great for the dogs because consistency is always good for a pet. This arrangement is also a benefit for the walker, because it makes your schedule and paycheck more predictable. Rather than walking dogs that you’ve never met, from a home you’ve never been to, we assign all of our clients a primary walker. You will get to know your neighborhood and clients really well!
What other benefits are there for being a part of the WCDW team?
You will still have plenty of independence as a Windy City Dog Walker. You will be walking on your own and you will spend far more time with dogs than people. We handle all of the billing, marketing, insurance and corporate protections that you should have while working as a dog walker. We also have been in business for over a decade. So when you need dog advice, we are here to help! Another big benefit of working with Windy City Dog Walkers would be our support structure. Windy City Dog Walkers has a management staff and an entire team of qualified dog walkers to walk your clients while you are away or if you simply need assistance.
Do I need to find my own clients?
As a dog walker you get to have the fun part of this business, walking dogs. Windy City Dog Walkers will handle building up your route and finding your future clients. Many of our new dog walkers come on to routes that have already been established by an outgoing dog walker. We also have opportunities for walkers who want to build up a route in a new neighborhood. So if you want to start with an easier route or you simply want to join the team as fast as possible, a route building role could be the best fit for you. Regardless of how you start with Windy City Dog Walkers, we will take care of finding the clients so you can have fun outside with the dogs.
Dog walkers working for Windy City Dog Walkers earn a starting wage of $15 an hour plus bonuses and tips. Bonuses are added for additional dogs in the household or for evening, weekend, and holiday walks. Walkers can earn $21+ an hour on evenings/weekends and $33+ an hour on holidays. Raises are given yearly and can be earned even sooner for those who excel beyond the norm.
How do I become a dog walker in Chicago?
To become a dog walker in Chicago with Windy City Dog Walkers you must first fill out the online application and attach a resume to be considered. A phone consultation is the next step to confirm the details of your application and confirm availability for any routes we are hiring for. A sit down interview at our office is then arranged to discuss the job in great detail and learn more about you and your goals at Windy City Dog Walkers.
Can dog walking become a career?
Dog Walking is what you make of it! Many walkers at Windy City Dog Walkers have been here for over 5 years and have grown in the company to become field and office managers. We have part time and full time dog walkers and can be flexible with your schedule and personal goals in work, school, or life. Apply today to learn more.
How big of an area would I be working in?
Windy City Dog Walkers designs each dog walker’s route with them in mind. If you have a bike, we might set you up with a route that is a smaller geographic space but densely populated. If you have a car, it might be best to work in an area that has greater amounts of street parking but you’d most likely cover a larger area. The area and the dogs on your route are ultimately up to you.
How many dogs would I be walking at the same time?
Windy City Dog Walkers has a strong focus with one on one care. We only walk for one client’s pets at a time. Most of our clients only have one or two dogs. The clients that do have multiple dogs in a home are charged a slightly higher rate. Those additional funds are passed on to the walker in the form of a bonus. The clients that you are working with would be per your approval. You decide which clients you want to work with.
Do dog walkers have shifts? What are the hours that I can expect to work?
Over 80% of our business takes place during the business day. Most of our dog walkers work from around 10am through 4pm, Monday through Friday. If a client requests a walk for an evening or weekend, we will present that walk to you as an optional addition to your schedule. If you would like to make the extra money (off peak hour visits have additional financial incentives) it is your option. Windy City Dog Walkers has a series of backup walkers and management staff that can cover walks when you aren’t available. We do need you to be consistently available for about the same hours Monday through Friday.
Do I need a bike or car to be a dog walker?
We have a few dog walkers that actually walk their route but we find that most walkers benefit from either a car or bike. Using the CTA is too slow and using a car sharing service like Uber or Lyft is too expensive. You are compensated not by time but by visits performed. Limiting your travel time between clients is the best way to stay on time with your schedule as well as making more money. Over the course of time, your route can become more compact which could enable you to start walking part or most of your day.
How does compensation work?
Dog walkers working for Windy City Dog Walkers are paid an average wage equivalent to $15 an hour to start plus bonuses and tips. We have reviews annually with competitive raises based on performance. All walkers are paid weekly via check or direct deposit. You are compensated based on the walks you performed that week. Walkers also have an opportunity to make extra money with client referrals.
How is Windy City Dog Walkers different from the walker’s perspective?
Windy City Dog Walkers is not an “on-demand” dog walking service. We have regular clients that need us consistently every week around the same general time. This is great for the dogs because consistency is always good for a pet. This arrangement is also a benefit for the walker, because it makes your schedule and paycheck more predictable. Rather than walking dogs that you’ve never met, from a home you’ve never been to, we assign all of our clients a primary walker. You will get to know your neighborhood and clients really well!
What other benefits are there for being a part of the WCDW team?
You will still have plenty of independence as a Windy City Dog Walker. You will be walking on your own and you will spend far more time with dogs than people. We handle all of the billing, marketing, insurance and corporate protections that you should have while working as a dog walker. We also have been in business for over a decade. So when you need dog advice, we are here to help! Another big benefit of working with Windy City Dog Walkers would be our support structure. Windy City Dog Walkers has a management staff and an entire team of qualified dog walkers to walk your clients while you are away or if you simply need assistance.
Do I need to find my own clients?
As a dog walker you get to have the fun part of this business, walking dogs. Windy City Dog Walkers will handle building up your route and finding your future clients. Many of our new dog walkers come on to routes that have already been established by an outgoing dog walker. We also have opportunities for walkers who want to build up a route in a new neighborhood. So if you want to start with an easier route or you simply want to join the team as fast as possible, a route building role could be the best fit for you. Regardless of how you start with Windy City Dog Walkers, we will take care of finding the clients so you can have fun outside with the dogs.
Neighborhoods we serve
We have Chicago dog walking jobs available in the following neighborhoods: Logan Square, Bucktown, Wicker Park, Ukrainian Village, West Town, Near North, Old Town, Gold Coast, River North, West Loop, Fulton River District, Tri-Taylor/Medical Distict, University Village, Printers Row, and South Loop. Inquire today to learn about opportunities near you.
What our walkers are saying...
"Windy City was easily one of the best companies I've worked for. I can't tell you how amazing my co-workers and management was to work with. Windy City has very low turnover due to the competitive pay, large clientele, and flexibility. Tony has truly built what I consider the best dog walking company in all of Chicago, and part of this is due to a dedicated staff, who loves what they do. The 5 1/2 years I spent with them, were some of the best years of employment I've had. If you are an independent, hard working person who loves animals, than Windy City Dog Walkers is absolutely the company for you." -Aaron K.
"Working for WCDW has been a truly liberating experience. From being independent to spending your days with animals, this is the best, unconventional job I've ever had. Building one-on-one relationships while biking the city and making money is the easiest way to spend my day. If you love dogs and the outdoors, WCDW is an active, exciting job among the hustle and bustle of the city." -Nancy A.
"Working for Windy City has been a very rewarding experience. You get to help care for monster puppies and watch them grow into amazing dogs. You form really great relationships with the clients. You also get to explore the city and it's neighborhoods. But, most importantly you get to play with dogs all day." -Alexa H.
"I primarily have walked in the South Loop neighborhood and I have enjoyed the quiet streets, relaxing parks and the friendships that I have with my canine companions. The job essentially is stress-free, you get to work outside and your closest “co-worker” has four paws and a tail so it’s always a pretty upbeat environment. Management handles all of the sales, scheduling and billing, so you get to worry about the fun part! I work another job in the evening that has me sitting in front of a computer monitor for hours, so this is the perfect way to balance out. I think my favorite part about being a dog walker is building a relationship with an animal and really being able to read him." -Joe L.
"Working for WCDW has been a truly liberating experience. From being independent to spending your days with animals, this is the best, unconventional job I've ever had. Building one-on-one relationships while biking the city and making money is the easiest way to spend my day. If you love dogs and the outdoors, WCDW is an active, exciting job among the hustle and bustle of the city." -Nancy A.
"Working for Windy City has been a very rewarding experience. You get to help care for monster puppies and watch them grow into amazing dogs. You form really great relationships with the clients. You also get to explore the city and it's neighborhoods. But, most importantly you get to play with dogs all day." -Alexa H.
"I primarily have walked in the South Loop neighborhood and I have enjoyed the quiet streets, relaxing parks and the friendships that I have with my canine companions. The job essentially is stress-free, you get to work outside and your closest “co-worker” has four paws and a tail so it’s always a pretty upbeat environment. Management handles all of the sales, scheduling and billing, so you get to worry about the fun part! I work another job in the evening that has me sitting in front of a computer monitor for hours, so this is the perfect way to balance out. I think my favorite part about being a dog walker is building a relationship with an animal and really being able to read him." -Joe L.
