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 opportunities for you!
Windy City Dog Walkers works with individuals and companies looking to grow in the dog walking industry. All dog walking positions are 1099 contracted so you are able to take on as little or as much work as you like and make your own hours to balance another job or grow your own dog walking business! Fill out the dog walker application and attach a resume to team up with Windy City Dog Walkers!
Windy City Dog Walkers works with individuals and companies looking to grow in the dog walking industry. All dog walking positions are 1099 contracted so you are able to take on as little or as much work as you like and make your own hours to balance another job or grow your own dog walking business! Fill out the dog walker application and attach a resume to team up with Windy City Dog Walkers!
Dog Walking Opportunities Available
Choose your own clients and hours
Compensation: average $19+ an hour to start plus bonuses and tips
Requirements: Provide your own transportation and materials/cell phone
Compensation: average $19+ an hour to start plus bonuses and tips
Requirements: Provide your own transportation and materials/cell phone
Hiring FAQ
How much do dog walkers in Chicago make per hour?
Dog walkers working with Windy City Dog Walkers are paid per job and earn a minimum $9.50 per 25 minute walk (average $19 an hour plus bonuses and tips). Bonuses are added for additional dogs in the household and for evening, weekend, and holiday walks. Walkers can earn an equivalent of $25+ an hour on evenings/weekends and $45+ an hour on holidays.
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. A phone consultation is the next step to confirm the details of your application. A virtual Zoom meeting is then arranged to discuss the jobs and service orders in great detail and learn more about you and your goals teaming up with 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 worked with us for over 5 years and have grown in the company to become field and office managers. Many others use our network to grow their own dog walking business or use self employed flexibility to balance another job/career/or school. Our opportunities are flexible with your other work schedules 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 helps you design the route and client list that is best suited for you. You are free to accept any service request in any area, but we can also assist you in growing the most ideal territory for your needs. If you walk or have a bike, you might prefer a route that is a smaller geographic space but densely populated. If you have a car, you may want to work in an area that has greater amounts of street parking and also cover a larger area. Many others also prefer to just work close to home or school. The area and the dogs/clients on your route are ultimately up to you!
Do dog walkers have shifts? What are the hours that I can expect to work?
About 80% of our service requests takes place during the business day. Most of our dog walkers work from around 10am through 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. As with all service requests, evening and weekend service orders will be presented 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.
Do I need a bike or car to be a dog walker?
Many of our dog walkers walk their route but we find that most benefit from a bike when available. Driving a route is also possible but may limit the neighborhoods that are cost effective for you to service due to gas and parking. Using the CTA is too slow and using a car sharing service like Uber or Lyft is historically too expensive. You are compensated not by time but visits performed so limiting your travel time between clients is the best way to stay on schedule and make the most money, but your transportation choice is yours to decide.
How does compensation work?
Dog walkers working for Windy City Dog Walkers are paid per job plus bonuses and tips and compensated for any services completed. You will paid weekly via check or direct deposit if using our app to complete visits. You can also bill us separately under your own business' terms. You also have an opportunities to make extra money with client and new walker referrals.
Dog walkers working with Windy City Dog Walkers are paid per job and earn a minimum $9.50 per 25 minute walk (average $19 an hour plus bonuses and tips). Bonuses are added for additional dogs in the household and for evening, weekend, and holiday walks. Walkers can earn an equivalent of $25+ an hour on evenings/weekends and $45+ an hour on holidays.
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. A phone consultation is the next step to confirm the details of your application. A virtual Zoom meeting is then arranged to discuss the jobs and service orders in great detail and learn more about you and your goals teaming up with 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 worked with us for over 5 years and have grown in the company to become field and office managers. Many others use our network to grow their own dog walking business or use self employed flexibility to balance another job/career/or school. Our opportunities are flexible with your other work schedules 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 helps you design the route and client list that is best suited for you. You are free to accept any service request in any area, but we can also assist you in growing the most ideal territory for your needs. If you walk or have a bike, you might prefer a route that is a smaller geographic space but densely populated. If you have a car, you may want to work in an area that has greater amounts of street parking and also cover a larger area. Many others also prefer to just work close to home or school. The area and the dogs/clients on your route are ultimately up to you!
Do dog walkers have shifts? What are the hours that I can expect to work?
About 80% of our service requests takes place during the business day. Most of our dog walkers work from around 10am through 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. As with all service requests, evening and weekend service orders will be presented 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.
Do I need a bike or car to be a dog walker?
Many of our dog walkers walk their route but we find that most benefit from a bike when available. Driving a route is also possible but may limit the neighborhoods that are cost effective for you to service due to gas and parking. Using the CTA is too slow and using a car sharing service like Uber or Lyft is historically too expensive. You are compensated not by time but visits performed so limiting your travel time between clients is the best way to stay on schedule and make the most money, but your transportation choice is yours to decide.
How does compensation work?
Dog walkers working for Windy City Dog Walkers are paid per job plus bonuses and tips and compensated for any services completed. You will paid weekly via check or direct deposit if using our app to complete visits. You can also bill us separately under your own business' terms. You also have an opportunities to make extra money with client and new walker referrals.
Neighborhoods we serve
We have Chicago dog walking jobs available in the following neighborhoods: Logan Square, Bucktown, Wicker Park, Ukrainian Village, West Town, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Old Town, Gold Coast, Near North, River North, West Loop, Fulton River District, 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 management was to work with. Windy City offers competitive pay, a large clientele, and flexibility. Tony has truly built what I consider the best dog walking network 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 I've had. If you are an independent, hard working person who loves animals, than Windy City Dog Walkers is absolutely the company to team up with." -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 your 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 picked up clients in the South Loop neighborhood and I have enjoyed the quiet streets, relaxing parks and the friendships that I have with my canine companions and my clientele. 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 and billing, so you get to worry about the fun part and focus on growing your business! I also work another job in the evening that has me sitting in front of a computer monitor for hours, so being self employed during the day is the best way to balance that 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 your 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 picked up clients in the South Loop neighborhood and I have enjoyed the quiet streets, relaxing parks and the friendships that I have with my canine companions and my clientele. 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 and billing, so you get to worry about the fun part and focus on growing your business! I also work another job in the evening that has me sitting in front of a computer monitor for hours, so being self employed during the day is the best way to balance that 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.