Part-Time Dog Walker & Pet Sitter – Fox Chapel Area
Merry Puppins LLC is hiring an experienced, dependable dog walker and pet sitter to help provide consistent coverage in Fox Chapel, O’Hara, Aspinwall, Millvale and nearby communities.
This person will become a familiar, trusted caregiver for an established group of clients while working in partnership with another experienced Merry Puppins Team Member who regularly serves this territory.
About the Schedule
This is a part-time position with a variable and potentially split schedule. Pet-care assignments occur in separate morning, midday and evening blocks- not as one continuous shift.
Our greatest current needs include:
- Mondays and Fridays
- Early mornings, particularly 7:00–10:00 AM
- Evenings, generally 5:00–9:00 PM
- Some weekends
- Occasional midday visits and additional travel-care assignments
Consistent Monday and Friday availability is strongly preferred. Applicants do not need to be available during every listed period, but they must be able to commit reliably to multiple recurring availability blocks.
Weekly visit volume fluctuates according to client travel, holidays and service requests. This position is best suited to someone seeking dependable ongoing part-time work rather than a traditional continuous full-time schedule.
What You Will Do
- Complete dog walks, drop-in pet-sitting visits and cat-care visits
- Develop ongoing relationships with a consistent group of pets
- Follow detailed feeding, medication, exercise and household instructions
- Walk dogs of different sizes, breeds and temperaments
- Use positive-reinforcement and Fear-Free handling practices
- Safely transport dogs in your personal vehicle when required for certain services
- Drive between client homes throughout the assigned territory
- Monitor pets for physical, medical or behavioral concerns
- Communicate promptly with the Merry Puppins leadership team
- Write accurate, thoughtful visit journals with photos
- Participate in client-specific training and warm handoffs
- Respond calmly and appropriately when unexpected situations arise
- Provide dependable coverage during agreed-upon availability
What This Position Requires
- Prior professional pet-care, dog-walking, veterinary, shelter, training, kennel or related animal-handling experience strongly preferred
- Genuine commitment to positive-reinforcement methods
- Understanding of canine body language and safe leash handling
- Strong judgment, maturity and problem-solving skills
- Ability to follow detailed instructions consistently
- Comfort working independently in clients’ homes
- Reliable attendance and communication
- Reliable vehicle suitable for driving between clients and occasionally transporting dogs
- Valid driver’s license and current automobile insurance
- Smartphone with reliable data service and GPS
- Ability to work outdoors in rain, snow, heat and cold
- Ability to safely walk and handle dogs and perform the physical requirements of pet care
- Ability to maintain agreed-upon availability for at least six months
- Residence within a reasonable driving distance of Fox Chapel, O’Hara, Aspinwall or Millvale strongly preferred
Important Information About Driving
Driving is a significant part of this position. Team Members travel between client homes throughout the assigned service area, and some services require transporting a dog to a nearby park or walking location.
Applicants should carefully consider the time, mileage, fuel costs and physical demands associated with mobile pet care before applying.
Our Pet-Care Philosophy
Merry Puppins uses positive-reinforcement and Fear-Free handling practices exclusively.
We do not use physical corrections, intimidation, leash corrections, prong collars, choke chains, shock collars or other aversive methods. Applicants must be willing and able to follow this philosophy consistently, even if their previous experience with dogs involved different methods.
Training and Employment
- W-2 employee position
- Paid onboarding and training
- Supervised field training before independent assignments
- Client-specific instruction and warm handoffs
- Ongoing support from an established leadership team
- Independent work begins only after required competencies are demonstrated
Compensation
Compensation
Estimated hourly earnings: $13.00–$18.00 per hour
Pet-care work is compensated by assignment rather than through one flat hourly rate. Assignment pay generally ranges from $9.00 to $21.50 depending on the service type and duration.
The hourly range shown above is an estimate based on assignment compensation, scheduled service time and typical travel between clients. Actual effective hourly earnings vary according to route density, travel time, your work efficiency, and the combination of services performed.
After training, this position is expected to provide approximately 10–15 assignments and $120–$215 in gross earnings per week. Weekly visit volume fluctuates according to client demand and is not guaranteed.
Paid onboarding and training are provided.
Compensation details, including training pay and pet-care assignment rates, will be reviewed during the interview process.
About Merry Puppins
Merry Puppins is a professional, team-based pet-care company serving Pittsburgh’s East End, Fox Chapel and surrounding communities. Since 2018, we have provided thoughtful, dependable and highly personalized care through a collaborative team of W-2 employees.
We are looking for someone who wants to become a consistent, trusted part of our clients’ care- not someone seeking occasional app-based gig work.
To Apply
Please include:
- Your general location
- Your pet-care or animal-handling experience
- Your consistent weekly availability
- The morning, midday, evening and weekend blocks you can reliably cover
- Whether you are comfortable transporting dogs in your vehicle
- A brief explanation of what positive-reinforcement dog handling means to you
Pay: $13.00 - $18.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Paid training
Experience:
- Pet Care: 1 year (Required)
Work Location: In person
