Dog Walker and Pet Sitter

Pawsitive Dawg Walking and Pet Sitting, LLC; Waltham (MA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 28,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Mileage reimbursement

Cell phone stipend

Paid training

Paid sick time

Paid time off after 12 months of work

Simple IRA eligibility

Direct deposit

Bonding and liability insurance

Job summary

Pawsitive Dawg Walking and Pet Sitting, LLC in Waltham, MA is hiring for part-time Dog Walker and Pet Sitter roles. You’ll provide solo dog walks and in-home visits with calm, fear-free care, following pet care instructions, and communicating via scheduling apps with notes and photos.

The role offers flexible shifts across early morning, mid-day, late afternoon, evenings, and weekends, with paid training and mileage reimbursement. A reliable vehicle and license are preferred.

Qualifications

• At least 2 years of hands-on animal care experience (personal, volunteer, or professional).
• Confidence caring for cats and handling both large and small dogs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfort using a smartphone, GPS, and scheduling software.
• A reliable vehicle, valid driver's license, and auto insurance.
• Ability to walk up to 6 miles per day and lift 40–50 pounds when needed.
• Commit to at least 3 hours per shift, 3 days per week, within available windows.

Responsibilities

• Provide solo dog walks and pet sitting visits with calm, attentive care.
• Care for dogs and cats, including walking, feeding, and litter box care as needed.
• Follow each pet's care instructions and household routines.
• Build trust with clients via reliable service and visit updates with notes/photos.
• Safely manage dogs of varying sizes and temperaments with fear-free approach.
• Accept scheduled visits and stay responsive to last-minute opportunities.

Skills

Animal care experience

Cat care experience

Dog handling

Communication skills

Smartphone GPS scheduling

Driver's license

Reliable vehicle

Physical stamina

Shift availability

Background check

Tools

Scheduling software

GPS

Smartphone usage

Job description

Company Overview

Pawsitive Dawg Walking and Pet Sitting is a Waltham, Massachusetts-based pet care company specializing in force-free, fear-free care for dogs and cats. Since 2012, we have built our reputation on dependable service, individualized attention, and a calm, safe experience for both pets and their owners. We provide solo dog walks and work with one family at a time so every pet receives thoughtful, personalized care.

Job Title

Dog Walker and Pet Sitter

Company Overview

Pawsitive Dawg Walking and Pet Sitting is a Waltham, Massachusetts-based pet care company specializing in force-free, fear-free care for dogs and cats. Since 2012, we have built our reputation on dependable service, individualized attention, and a calm, safe experience for both pets and their owners. We provide solo dog walks and work with one family at a time so every pet receives thoughtful, personalized care.

The Opportunity

This is a strong fit for someone who wants flexible, meaningful work with animals while keeping control of their weekly schedule. Rather than locking you into one rigid full-time shift, we offer opportunities across early morning, mid-day, late afternoon, evening, and weekend time blocks. For the right person, this can be a rewarding way to build consistent part-time income doing hands-on work that matters to pets and the families who count on us.
We are hiring for multiple openings, and candidates with broader availability will receive preference for scheduling and assignment volume. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is dependable, responsive, and wants to grow with a well-established local pet care team.

What You’ll Do

• Provide solo dog walks and pet sitting visits with calm, attentive, individualized care.
• Care for both dogs and cats, including walking dogs, feeding pets, refreshing water, and scooping litter boxes as needed.
• Follow each pet's care instructions closely, including feeding, walking, litter box care, medication support if applicable, and household routines.
• Build trust with clients by delivering reliable service, clear communication, and thoughtful visit updates with notes and photos.
• Safely manage dogs of different sizes, temperaments, and energy levels while maintaining a fear-free, force-free approach.
• Accept scheduled visits during the time blocks you commit to and remain responsive to occasional last-minute opportunities.

What Success Looks Like

• Within the first few weeks, you are completing visits on time, following care instructions accurately, and communicating clearly through the scheduling app.
• Clients feel confident leaving their pets in your care because your updates are thoughtful, professional, and consistent.
• Dogs and cats in your care are safe, comfortable, well fed, and well managed during each visit.
• You become a reliable option for coverage during your committed shift windows, including occasional urgent or last-minute needs.
• Over time, your reliability, responsiveness, and availability lead to more frequent assignments and greater scheduling preference.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who genuinely enjoys working with dogs and cats and takes pride in being dependable. The strongest candidates will be compassionate, organized, comfortable working independently, and able to manage a mobile, active workday.

Preferred Qualifications Include

• At least 2 years of hands-on animal care experience, whether personal, volunteer, or professional
• Confidence caring for cats and handling both large and small dogs
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Comfort using a smartphone, GPS, and scheduling software
• A reliable vehicle, valid driver's license, and auto insurance
• Ability to walk up to 6 miles per day and lift approximately 40 to 50 pounds when needed
• Willingness to commit to at least 3 hours per shift, 3 times per week, within available shift windows
• Interest in taking on additional availability, as team members with the most availability receive preference
• Openness to occasional last-minute visit requests
• A clean criminal background and driving record
• Four references, including 3 professional and 1 personal

Compensation And Benefits

Pay ranges from $15.75 to $20.00 per hour, depending on the position. This is a part time W-2 employee position, not an independent contractor role.

• Online training and hands on training is $15.75/hr for all positions (usually a 2 week period)

Once you graduate training, your pay increases based on your position:

• Dog walking and pet sitting positions start at $15.75-$17/hr + mileage reimbursement + tips with an opportunity for a pay increase at 3 months if you become Fear Free certified
• Split Shift Pet Sitting positions start at $17-$18/hr + mileage reimbursement + tips with an opportunity for a pay increase at 3 months if you become Fear Free certified
• On-Demand positions start at $18-$20/hr + mileage reimbursement + tips with an opportunity for a pay increase at 3 months if you become Fear Free certified

Benefits include mileage reimbursement, cell phone stipend, paid training, paid sick time, paid time off after 12 months of employment, Simple IRA eligibility for employees earning over $5,000 annually, direct deposit, bonding and liability insurance coverage, and 100% of tips. Additional earning opportunities may be available through extra visits, pet sitting, overnights, and weekend work.

Work Location / Schedule

This role is based in the Waltham, Massachusetts service area, including Waltham, Belmont, Watertown, and parts of Newton, Lexington, Weston, and Lincoln. Work is on-site, and 1-5 miles of travel between client homes is required.

We Are Hiring For Multiple Shift Windows, Including

• Early morning: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
• Mid-day: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. or 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Late afternoon: 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Evening: 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Weekends: 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Team members are asked to commit to at least 3 of these shifts per week within the shift windows they choose to offer. Candidates with the most availability will receive preference for assignments.