Figo and I hear this question a lot, wherever we’re researching: what’s actually the difference between a dog walker, a dog trainer and a pet sitter? These three get mixed up a lot, so it’s worth being clear before we get into who’s actually out there in Aberdeen. A dog walker takes your dog out for exercise, usually on a set schedule while you’re at work or away for a few hours — walking is the whole job, not teaching. A dog trainer works on behaviour and obedience: recall, loose-lead walking, reactivity, puppy foundations — sessions are structured around learning a skill, not just getting the steps in. A pet sitter looks after your dog (and often other pets) in your home or theirs, typically for longer stretches such as a work trip or holiday, covering feeding, company and general care rather than a daily walk slot — see our round-up of dog sitters in Aberdeen if that’s what you actually need. Some businesses do more than one of these, but it’s worth checking which one you’re actually booking.
This guide is about walkers only, and specifically ones with a genuine presence in Aberdeen City. I went looking for businesses with their own website, a Companies House record, or a listing on a recognised pet-service directory — not just a name on a freelance marketplace app with no way to check who’s really behind it.
Verified dog walking businesses in Aberdeen City
- Walkie Doodle Doo Limited — registered office at 27c Roslin Street, Aberdeen, AB24 5PE. Confirmed as an active Scottish limited company (no. SC666788) on Companies House. Its own website lists Home Visits (30 min, from £9), Walkies (1 hour, £14), Puppy Visits (30 min, from £9), a Pet Taxi service, and a free Meet & Greet before you book. The site doesn’t state insurance or DBS/PVG details, so ask directly before booking. Sources: Companies House; walkiedoodledoo.com
- Aberdeen Dog Walkers — covers West Central Aberdeen City. Offers dog walking, home visits, and trips to vet/grooming appointments, priced at £14/hour (half price for a second dog from the same household), available regularly, short-term, or occasionally. The site states the business is “fully insured and adheres to all regulations relating to dog welfare,” and offers “police disclosure” on request rather than naming a specific DBS/PVG scheme. Source: aberdeendogwalkers.co.uk
- Steve Walks Dogs — based in Peterculter, within the Aberdeen City council area, covering Lower Deeside, Westhill and Kingswells. Offers group walks in “friendly, socialised groups” at £12/hour, and states the walker holds a First Aid certification, is “fully insured” and “disclosure certified” (though the specific scheme isn’t named). Source: stevewalksdogs.co.uk
Names we found but left out, and why
Searching for Aberdeen dog walkers mostly surfaced freelance-marketplace profiles — individual listings on Rover, Pawshake, Bark, Gudog and StarOfService — rather than standalone businesses. These platforms let anyone sign up with no independently checkable insurance, DBS/PVG, or trading history behind the listing, so in line with our usual approach we haven’t included them as recommendations. A handful of Facebook-only pages (Paw Patrol Aberdeen, Walk and Woof Aberdeen) also turned up, but with no website or directory listing to check claims against, we couldn’t verify them either. One Professional Dog Walkers Association member, AW Pet Care Consultancy, is based in Laurencekirk, Aberdeenshire rather than Aberdeen City, and its PDWA membership listing shows as lapsed since 2017, so it’s excluded on both counts.
What to actually check before you book
- Public liability insurance — ask to see proof, not just a claim on the website. A reputable walker will have this ready to share.
- Disclosure/PVG check — ask specifically whether this covers PVG (Scotland’s disclosure scheme) rather than a vague “police disclosure” claim, especially if the walker will need a key to your home.
- Group size and compatibility — ask how many dogs are walked together at once, and how they’re matched for temperament and size. If your dog genuinely can’t cope with other dogs nearby, a group walk isn’t the right fit at all — our guide to secure dog fields near Aberdeen covers the solo-hire alternative.
- A settling-in period — most dogs take a walk or two to relax with someone new, and it’s completely normal for a nervous dog to need a bit of extra reassurance that first week. A calming chew alongside the introduction can take the edge off those first few sessions — we use Calmdogs calming treats with Figo whenever he’s meeting someone new.
Is there a dog walker directory covering Aberdeen City?
We found three verifiable, standalone dog walking businesses with their own website or Companies House record covering Aberdeen City — Walkie Doodle Doo, Aberdeen Dog Walkers and Steve Walks Dogs. Most other search results were freelance-marketplace profiles we couldn’t independently verify.
What’s the difference between a dog walker, a trainer and a pet sitter?
A dog walker provides regular exercise on a schedule; a trainer works on behaviour and obedience, usually in sessions rather than daily visits; a pet sitter looks after your pet while you’re away, which may include walks but is really about cover and companionship.
What should I check before hiring a dog walker in Aberdeen?
Ask to see proof of public liability insurance, check whether disclosure checks cover PVG specifically, ask about group size and how dogs are matched for compatibility.
For wider pet care across the region, see our Dog Services in Aberdeen hub, and our guide to the best local dog walks in Aberdeen if your walker’s route needs new ideas.
