Dog walking in Washington
Book on-demand and scheduled walks with local dog walkers - choose between a 20-minute, 30-minute, or 60-minute walk for your pup- Wag!
- Dog Walking
- Washington, DC
Best dog walkers in Washington
Book on demand and scheduled walks with local dog walkers
On-demand, scheduled, and recurring walks
$10
$90
Best dog walkers in Washington
Book on demand and scheduled walks with local dog walkers
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How to book dog walkers near me
Get matched
A top-rated local Caregiver will match with you; or you can choose to browse Caregivers near you.
Follow along
Receive live updates and photos. Track your pup's walk via GPS.
Get a report card
Once your pet is home, view details on how the walk went, complete with a photo!
Why find pet care through Wag!?
Wag! is the nation's fastest-growing network of vetted and background checked pet sitters, overnight boarding, dog walkers, dog trainers, and even virtual vet chat. Schedule ahead for pet care while you are away, or book on-demand pet care during the workday. In minutes you can book a nearby dog sitter, daycare provider, or dog walker, who'll take complete care of your loved one - at their place or yours.
Customer Reviews
Unable to take your dog on a walk today? Dog Walkers through Wag! are available to care for your pup whenever you’re not. Every dog walker has passed an enhanced background check. Get photos and updates on where your dog poops and pees while you follow along via GPS in the app.
Al,
Washington
Hermes was very well taken care of! When Karla noticed he didn t want to continue much further in the rain, she used the remaining time to spend with him!
Sarah,
Washington
I don t want to effect your overall rating, but you have walked butter before and now I have to pay for a late night walk
Donavan,
Washington
Thank you as always, Alexis!
Vito,
Washington
Thanks!
Lizzy,
Washington
Lisa was a great walker!
Taylor,
Washington
Thank you!
Angela,
Washington
Fantastic!!
Alicia,
Washington
Omg thank you, Vini, you are a life saver!
taylor,
Washington
Tommie was the best !! So impressed by her amazing ability to follow direction!!! Please book her
Brooke,
Washington
Seriously the sweetest person and most competent of caregivers I can imagine. Shelbie made my anxious boy feel safe and loved!
Why book a dog walker in Washington?
Need a dog walker in a pinch? Vetted Pet Caregivers in the Washington, DC area are just a few taps away when you use the Wag! app to book a walk for your dog. Once you've found the "pawfect" dog walker near you, you can save your dog walker as a preferred Caregiver for easy booking the next time you need them. Washington, DC dog walkers are background checked by Wag! and rated by other local Pet Parents so you don't have to worry about your dog while you're out.
The best dog friendly neighborhoods in Washington
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Crestwood
Located away from the urban hub of downtown Washington, D.C., the Crestwood neighborhood offers a refreshing contrast to the busy city, with single-family homes and immaculate yards lining the quiet streets. Crestwood's "pupulation" is also well cared for here with a spacious park. Rock Creek Park offers scenic waterways, dense brush, and plenty of boulders, making it the perfect place to snap a selfie with Sparky. Stop by the nature center to grab a checklist of the park's wildlife, then set out for an easy walk along the park's paved trails. A few blocks away is the aptly named Petworth neighborhood, where you'll find a few Fido-friendly cafes and restaurants.
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Logan Circle
One of D.C.'s trendiest neighborhoods, Logan Circle lures tourists with bespoke clothiers, gourmet dining, colorful murals, and buzzing pubs. Doggos wandering through this hip district will be tugging on the leash en route to Shaw Dog Park. This spacious park provides two separate areas for large and small pups, but not much else, so don't forget the water and waste bags! For another place to play, be sure to check out S Street Dog Park. This puptastic park comes with all the amenities, including water faucets, doggy obstacle courses, and more. After playing the day away at the dog park, go on a "pup" crawl and sample some of the craft brews on offer at the neighborhood's bars.
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Adams Morgan
Adams Morgan is a historic neighborhood located just north of the White House and Capitol Hill. While this area is convenient for humans looking to visit the National Zoo or soak up some nightlife, it’s also a popular place to live, play, and dine with your canine companion. Well-maintained streets and parks provide ample walking areas. Hungry hounds can take their pick of dog-friendly restaurants in the Adams Morgan neighborhood. Finally, Walter C. Pierce Community Dog Park is a firm favorite with dog walkers in Washington, D.C. This fenced, off-leash park is the "pawfect" spot for your urban pooch to stretch their legs and for humans to huddle around exchanging political gossip.
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Foggy Bottom
While the name may elicit a giggle or two, Foggy Bottom is a popular neighborhood for Washington, D.C. dog walkers and a prime location to live or visit with your canine companion. The Capital Crescent Trail is one of nearly 1,600 U.S. trails that are part of the Rails to Trails Conservancy project. This riverside walkway is a great place to take Fido for a stroll. Do some people- and doggy-watching while your furry friend gets some much-needed socialization on this well-used thoroughfare. Follow up your exercise with a snack at one of the dog-friendly restaurants just north of the neighborhood along Pennsylvania Avenue.
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Capitol Hill
When you picture Washington, D.C., you most likely envision the Capitol Hill neighborhood. With a host of scenic national parks and museums, Capitol Hill is the perfect spot to spend a pleasant day outdoors bonding with your canine companion. The National Mall, a lush green space bookended by the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, allows friendly, well-behaved, leashed pets, making this the perfect destination for an afternoon stroll. With more pet-friendly dining options and fun events than you can shake Fido's favorite stick at, Capitol Hill is sure to have something to please both two- and four-legged family members.
Keep readingFrequently asked questions
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Dog friendly neighborhoods near Washington
Dog-friendly event in Washington
On a summer day in Washington, skip the dog park and head to the ballpark instead. Thanks to Pups in the Park hosted by Pedigree Foundation, you and your canine companion will both get to enjoy a game at Nationals Park with other dogs and dog lovers from seats in the pet-friendly outfield reserved section.
There are games from April to September, and a seat for your dog will cost $10. Pet parents need to sign the waiver and bring it to the game in order to bring their dog into Nationals Park. All proceeds from dog ticket sales will be donated to the Humane Rescue Alliance. For more information head over to the Nationals website. Your fluffy baseball fan with thank you!
Stories about famous dogs in Washington
The White House has been home to presidential pups consistently throughout the 1900s and well into the 21st century. A few of these dogsters have left quite a legacy.
Sweet Lips
Our first president was a dog fanatic! It’s believed George Washington owned some 50 or so dogs and even created an entirely new dog breed: the American Foxhound. He was an avid fox hunter and wanted a superior dog that was speedy, intelligent, and had a strong sense of smell. This led to him cross-breeding his Black and Tan Coonhounds with French Hounds to create the American Foxhound. He described his pup Sweet Lips as “the perfect foxhound”. It’s clear by her endearing name that Sweet Lips was one of his favorite furry friends!
Pushinka
Pushinka (“Fluffy” in Russian) is more than just a presidential mascot. She’s famous for good reason: her mother, Strelka, was the first dog to fly into space and return safely; she was accused of being a Russian puppy spy; and she may have helped save the world from nuclear destruction. Pushinka was a gift from the Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev to the President of the United States, John F. Kennedy in 1961. When she arrived, she was examined by the CIA for fear that she might be concealing a listening device. When tensions were high during the Cold War, many believe that JFK and Khrushchev's communication—and their gifts such as cute Pushinka—helped end the Cold War!
Fala
Murray the Outlaw of Falahill, or Fala for short, is pawsibly the favorite presidential pup and the only one honored with a statue. This Scottish Terrier was Franklin Roosevelt’s best canine pal. Treated like true royalty, he was served a bone on the President's breakfast tray and slept on an exclusive chair at the foot of Roosevelt's bed. They traveled together on ships and planes to countless meetings, speeches, and engagements around the world. So famous was Fala that U.S. soldiers during World War II would often ask each other the name of Roosevelt’s dog as a password to prevent German infiltration within their lines.
Dog-friendly restaurants in Washington
The Salt Line
The Salt Line is the ideal place to bring your seaworthy pup. This seafood-focused restaurant is located in the Navy Yard area of Washington, DC. It’s known for its dog-friendly patio, which is open year-round and provides a great view of the Anacostia River. They even have a dog menu featuring options like the "Puppy Chowder" and "Doggy Biscuits."
Wet Dog Tavern
Wet Dog Tavern is DC’s first pet-friendly bar garden. It was named in memory of the owner’s late dog and created with dog lovers in mind. They welcome and encourage you to bring your well-behaved pupper. Dogs have to stay on the patio, but there are heaters to keep it open all year. They offer drinks, snacks, and a burger menu.
The Coupe
The Coupe is the restaurant all the dogs are barking about in the Columbia Heights area of DC. They have a spacious outdoor patio that is dog-friendly and perfect for brunch or dinner. They also have a dog menu with items like "Pupperoni Pizza" and "Chicken and Rice."
Dacha Beer Garden
Don’t furget to add Dacha Beer Garden to your pup-crawl! This popular outdoor beer garden is located in the Navy Yard. They have a large outdoor space with picnic tables, string lights, and a chill atmosphere your pup will love. Dogs are welcome to join their owners on the patio, and they even have a "Dog of the Month" program.
District Winery
For the classier canines, head over to District Winery in the Navy Yard. This winery and restaurant offers a dog-friendly patio where you can enjoy gorgeous views of the Anacostia River and the DC skyline with your furry friend. They offer a wide variety of wines, as well as a seasonal menu that features locally-sourced ingredients.
Dog-friendly trails in Washington
If you and your pup fancy a walk, check out these puptastic trails in Washington, DC!
Mount Vernon Trail
The Mount Vernon Trail is a 17-mile trail that runs along the Potomac River from George Washington's Mount Vernon estate to Theodore Roosevelt Island. It’s mostly paved, with some boardwalks through the wetlands. The trail is a popular destination for dog owners and has a little bit of everything: views of the river, parks, wooded areas, towns, and nearby monuments.
Anacostia River Trail
The Anacostia River Trail is a 20-mile trail that runs along both sides of the Anacostia River from Prince George's County, Maryland to Washington DC. This trail is a busy place, but it’s designed to support it! The trail is 10-12 feet wide and designed to accommodate all kinds - from cyclists to runners and skaters to walkers, and their dogs of course! Along the way, you’ll find seating, system maps, bike racks, and interactive maps.
Theodore Roosevelt Island Trail
A Presidential trail for the prestigious pup! The Theodore Roosevelt Island Trail is perfect for when you want a short but sweet outing with your furry friend. It’s a 1.5-mile loop trail that runs through a wooded island in the Potomac River. Although it’s relatively short, it’s big on views of the river and nearby wildlife.
C&O Canal Towpath Trail
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath Trail is a 184.5-mile dirt and stone pathway that runs from Washington DC to Cumberland, Maryland. It was originally built for the canal mules to walk beside the canal as they “towed” the canal boats through the waterway. Along the trail, you’ll get to enjoy scenic views, historical landmarks, and wildlife sightings with your fur baby.
Animal shelter spotlight in Washington
The Humane Rescue Alliance is doing much of the heavy lifting for animal welfare in DC. It’s the largest animal services provider in the region, with five campuses in the District of Columbia and New Jersey. They touch the lives of over 100,000 animals annually, conquering problems big and small. They go beyond just animal rescue and adoption. HRA offers animal control and law enforcement, low-cost spay and neuter services, pet behavior and training programs, and humane education programs for children and adults. They even have the largest disaster response team on the East Coast, allowing HRA to deploy on a moment’s notice to ensure animals survive and can be reunited with their families.
HRA is a giant in the region, and its mission is to protect animals, support families, and advocate for positive change to create a more humane community in the DC area. Looking to adopt a new family member from Humane Rescue Alliance? Check their website for a pop-up adoption event near you!