Puppies naturally don’t want to poop where they sleep. But if your puppy is stuck in a crate all day, he’ll reach a point where he just can’t hold it anymore. Coming home in the middle of the day to let him out isn’t always an option.

Once that happens a few times, your house training efforts will all be undone.

By scheduling a dog walker to come by during the day, your puppy won’t reach that point of, “Gotta go now!” He’ll still get plenty of quiet time to nap, though.

Practice makes perfect, right? Especially when it comes to puppy training. The more you reinforce what your trainer is teaching your puppy, the faster she’ll pick up the commands. And the more likely she is to be an enjoyable part of your family.

Since your puppy isn’t up to long walks yet, your dog walker instead can spend the scheduled time practicing sit and stay with your puppy. When your puppy is on the leash with your walker, good leash manners are getting reinforced.

Just don’t expect your dog walker to actually train your puppy.

Exploring the World

The puppy’s breeder, trainer, and veterinarian have probably explained the importance of socialization to you.

But socialization can be hard to do if you don’t want to take your puppy to the dog park because too many dogs are there after work. Plus, you don’t always have the time to properly introduce your puppy to the people and dogs you meet on walks.

Scheduling a dog walker, however, can give your puppy twenty minutes or more of time out and about in the world, seeing new things and making new friends. And your dog walker is experienced enough to recognize a bad situation and avoid it so your puppy has fewer negative experiences.

Quick Note:

Your veterinarian will let you know when your puppy is old enough to socialize. Before then, you’ll want to limit your puppy’s outdoor time to your yard.

Very young puppies don’t have a strong enough immune system to fight off some of the bacteria and viruses your puppy will encounter in a walk off of your property.

Your dog walker will keep your puppy in your yard for as long as necessary. And when you have your veterinarian have decided your puppy is ready to go on safari, your dog walker will be ready to go, too.

How to Choose a Dog Walker for Your Puppy

Not every dog walker is suitable for walking a puppy. Puppies require a lot of time, patience, and the appropriate skills to help you continue your puppy’s training. Some dog walkers prefer working with older dogs.

Start with dog walkers who offer a puppy program. Then schedule a meet-and-greet with the walker to evaluate their comfort level with your puppy. During the meet-and-greet, ask about the walker’s experience with puppies like yours. If the walker has only ever worked with small or medium breed puppies and you have a Malamute, you may want to keep looking.

Dog Walkers Valuable for Your Puppy, Too

Knowing you won’t be coming home to a messy crate and an overexcited puppy can be a relief when you’re heading home after a hard day of work. You’ll get to enjoy time with your new friend, not just take care of his basic necessities.