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 Frequently Asked Questions
⇒ What is the procedure for scheduling a visit?
If you are a new Doggy Workout customer, please first fill out the New Client form. We will respond within 24 hours. If it is an urgent request, please call 1.703.329.6200 or email us at info@doggyworkout.com. If you are an existing client and you need to make a scheduling change or need to add an emergency walk, please email us or call the emergency number.
⇒ Do you do group walks?
No! We do not believe in group walking. The maximum number of dogs we will walk at a time is two, and only after we have informed the owners of each pet to ensure compatibility. We feel that while socialization is important for dogs, a walk is not an ideal situation for this. As an experienced walker myself, I am familiar with how difficult and dangerous it can be sometimes trying to control multiple dogs on a walk, even if they are well behaved. And we also want your dog to enjoy the freedom of his walk without being constrained by other dogs.
We also don't make park visits. Although you may have the sweetest dog in the world, there are occasionally dogs at the park whose owners don't realize that their dog isn't the sweetest in the world! If your dog is a fanatic about chasing balls or sticks and you have a fenced in backyard, we will gladly run them ragged there!
⇒ What are your office hours?
We are open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. Visits occur seven days a week, 365 days a year!
⇒ What if I have an emergency?
After becoming a Doggy Workout client, you will be given a 24-hour emergency number. This number will be answered at all times and can be used to contact us for last minute requests.
⇒ What is your cancellation policy?
For individual walks, if you will not need our services for a particular day or days, please contact our office as soon as possible, 703-329-6200. If notice is given 48 hours in advance, we will credit you for those visits.
Monthly clients will be allowed two weeks of vacation per year, taken in one week blocks, without being charged. Otherwise, because of the discounted rate and guaranteed time slot reserved for monthly clients, daily cancellations will not affect your monthly bill.
⇒ Do you have insurance?
Yes. Doggy Workout and its employees are covered by bonding and insurance policies. These policies are readily available at your request.
⇒ How and when will I be billed?
Monthly clients will be billed during the first week of the month following service, and payment is due on the 15th. Payment for all other walks will be due prior to the initial visit.
⇒ Will I have the same walker each day?
Each client is assigned to a primary walker, but there may occasionally be situations when a substitute will be called upon (vacation, medical leave, etc.). We maintain profiles of each client in order to ensure the substituting walkers are familiar with your dogs and procedures in order to maintain our high standards.
⇒ Do I really need to make two copies of keys?
We do require each client to make two copies of keys. This allows us to guarantee every visit in case of emergencies (client or walker), multiple visits throughout the day that are shared between walkers, or last minute requests that the primary walker is unable to respond to. We understand that certain keys are more difficult/expensive to copy than others, but in order to guarantee our service, there can be no exceptions to this.
⇒ How do you hire employees?
Since allowing someone into your home requires a great deal of trust, we are extremely careful when screening potential walkers. Following an initial interview, successful candidates undergo background and reference checks. Each walker is then given an orientation prior to their first visits, which includes training in Pet First Aid. New walkers are then accompanied by experienced walkers on their initial visits, since it always helps for your pet to see a familiar face beside an unfamiliar one!
⇒ My dog is aggressive. Can you still help me out?
It depends. If your dog is human aggressive, then the answer is no. The safety of our walkers is a very high concern for us, so we can't knowingly put our walkers into a dangerous situation. This is even more true when a substitute is required who may not have a chance to meet the dog prior to their visit. If your dog is aggressive only toward other dogs, we may still be able to help out. During our initial meeting, we will determine whether our walkers would be able to keep control of any situations that could arise. If you have a 120 pound dog that charges after any other dog in its path, then we probably can't help you!
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