Why a Written Agreement Matters
Most disagreements between dog walkers and clients don't come from bad intentions — they come from unstated assumptions. A client assumes a 30-minute walk includes time at the start and end for greeting and settling the dog. You assume "30 minutes" means 30 minutes of walking. Neither of you is wrong, exactly, but neither of you said it out loud either.
A simple written agreement closes these gaps before they become awkward conversations. It also gives you something to point back to — calmly and without it feeling personal — when questions come up later.
What to Include
| Section | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Services provided | What's included in a standard visit (walk length, feeding, basic updates) |
| Rates & payment | How much, how often, and how payment is collected |
| Cancellation policy | Notice required and any fees — see our cancellation policy template |
| Home access | How you'll enter (key, lockbox, code) — see our key and lockbox guide |
| Emergency contacts | Vet info and a backup contact if the client is unreachable |
| Client responsibilities | Keeping vaccinations current, providing accurate dog info, securing the home |
A Simple Template You Can Adapt
Services: [Your business name] agrees to provide [walk length/frequency] dog walking visits for [dog's name] at [address].
Rate & payment: Service is billed at [rate per visit / weekly / monthly], due [payment terms]. Payment methods accepted: [methods].
Cancellations: Cancellations require [notice period] notice. Late cancellations may be subject to [fee/policy].
Home access: Access will be provided via [key/lockbox/code]. Client agrees to notify [Your business name] of any changes to access.
Emergencies: In case of emergency, [Your business name] will contact [emergency contact] and/or [vet name/clinic]. Client authorizes [Your business name] to seek veterinary care if the client cannot be reached.
Client responsibilities: Client confirms that [dog's name]'s vaccinations are current and agrees to inform [Your business name] of any behavioral or health changes.
Acknowledgment: By signing below, both parties agree to the terms outlined above.
This is a starting point, not a finished legal document. Adapt the wording to match how you actually run your business — if a section doesn't apply to you, cut it; if you handle something differently, rewrite that section to match.
What to Leave Flexible
Not everything needs to be locked down in writing. Things like exact walk times, route preferences, or how often you send updates are often easier to handle through ongoing communication rather than rigid contract language — especially since these can change as your relationship with a client develops.
The goal isn't to cover every possible scenario — it's to cover the handful of things that, if left unsaid, tend to cause friction: payment, cancellations, access, and emergencies.
This article provides a general starting template, not legal advice. If you want a formal contract with specific legal protections, or if your local area has requirements for service agreements, it's worth having a local attorney review your version.
Getting It Signed
How you collect agreement doesn't need to be complicated. Some options:
- Digital acknowledgment — send the agreement as part of your onboarding process and have new clients confirm they've read and agree to it
- Printed copy at the meet-and-greet — review and sign during your first in-person meeting (see our meet-and-greet checklist)
- Email confirmation — send the terms and ask the client to reply confirming they agree
Whichever method you choose, keep a copy on file — both for your own reference and so you can quickly pull it up if a question comes up later.
Keeping Agreements With Client Records
Once you have a service agreement you're happy with, the easiest way to make sure it's actually used is to make it part of your standard onboarding for every new client — paired with your intake form and other onboarding steps. Keeping it attached to each client's profile means you (or anyone covering for you) can reference it whenever needed.
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