Dog walking in the UK is unregulated — anyone can set up as a dog walker without a licence or insurance. That makes the contract you sign the single most important protection you have if your dog is injured, lost, or causes damage while in the walker's care. A good dog walker contract will specify insurance cover, leash and off-leash arrangements, emergency vet authorisation, and clear fee structures. A bad one leaves you liable for everything while the walker takes no responsibility at all.
What is a Liability and Fees?
A dog walker service agreement is a contract for the provision of regular or ad-hoc dog walking services. Although the industry is unregulated, walkers handling your pet owe you a duty of care under general tort law, and any exclusion of that duty must be 'reasonable' under the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 and fair under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
Red flags to watch for
If your dog bites another person or another dog, or causes a traffic accident, an uninsured walker leaves you — as owner under the Dogs Act 1871 and Animals Act 1971 — fully exposed.
Under CRA 2015, a blanket exclusion of liability for negligence causing injury or death is unenforceable. A walker trying to include one is signalling they expect problems.
If your dog is injured on a walk and you cannot be reached, you need clarity on whether the walker can authorise treatment and up to what value.
Off-leash walking in unsecured areas carries real risk of loss, injury, or livestock worrying (a criminal offence under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953). You should explicitly opt in.
Subscription-style dog walking with rolling billing and short cancellation windows can breach CRA 2015 fairness rules, especially if not highlighted before signing.
Professional guidance (from organisations like NarpsUK and PetBC) recommends a maximum of 4–6 dogs per walker. Larger groups increase risk of incidents.
Your legal rights
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires services to be performed with reasonable care and skill, and unfair terms in consumer contracts are not binding. The Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 prevents exclusion of liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence. The Animals Act 1971 and Dogs Act 1871 make dog owners strictly liable for damage caused by their dog — a walker cannot contract away your statutory liability, but should carry insurance to protect against incidents on their watch.
Questions to ask before you sign
- 1Can you show me your public liability insurance certificate and policy limit?
- 2How many dogs do you walk at once, and are they matched by temperament?
- 3Do you walk on-leash or off-leash, and in what locations?
- 4What is your emergency protocol if my dog is injured or ill on a walk?
- 5Do you hold a DBS check and pet first aid certification?
- 6What are your cancellation terms if I need to skip a walk or holiday?
Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Contract law varies by jurisdiction and individual circumstances. Always consult a qualified legal professional before making decisions based on this information.