How do I give a dog walker access to my apartment?

Most TruePath owners use a keysafe (lockbox) attached near the entrance. The code is shared only with the verified walker and changed when the arrangement ends. For buildings with secure lobby entry, provide a fob or access code. Note any building quirks in the TruePath app: lift access, floor, which direction to turn. Walk the walker through it at the meet-and-greet so the first solo visit runs smoothly.

What if my dog needs medication before or after a walk?

Document it precisely in the TruePath app profile: medication name, dose, timing relative to the walk, and where it's stored. If the medication requires administration (injection, pill hidden in food), discuss at the meet-and-greet whether the walker is comfortable performing this. Most experienced walkers handle pre/post-walk supplements and oral medications routinely. Injections require explicit discussion and often a demonstration.

Should I leave food out for my dog after a walk?

Generally yes if your dog eats post-walk. Leave the measured portion ready (not in the bowl — to avoid ants in summer or curious dogs eating before the walk). Note in the app whether the walker feeds them or whether the food is for the owner to give on return. For dogs prone to bloat (deep-chested breeds like German Shepherds, Greyhounds, Great Danes), a rest period after eating is important — ensure this is in the walker's notes.

Dog walking

What to Leave for Your Dog Walker (Practical Checklist)

A dog walker who arrives to find the lead missing, no water in the bowl, and no access instructions is being set up to fail. Here's exactly what to have ready before your first walk.

By atticus · 5 min read · Last updated 17 May 2026

Most first-walk problems aren't the walker's fault — they're a handover failure. The lead isn't where it should be, the gate latch is stiff and wasn't mentioned, the dog goes into the neighbour's yard if the side fence isn't clipped. These are fixable with a 10-minute setup before the first walk.

Physical setup — what to have ready

Lead and harness. Keep them on the same hook, in the same location, every time. A walker arriving to hunt for the lead burns time and starts the interaction on a frantic note. Ideally: a dedicated hook near the front door at elbow height, labelled if there are multiple household leads.

Poo bags. Attach a roll to the lead clip or keep them in the same spot. Walkers almost always carry their own, but the expectation varies.

Water bowl. Fresh water in the bowl before you leave. A dog that's been inside for several hours before a midday walk needs water on return. Some walkers offer water mid-walk for longer walks; for standard 30-minute walks, having water ready at home is the owner's part.

Access. Keysafe code confirmed with the walker. Building entry fob or code written in the app. Any quirks documented: "front door handle sticks, pull up slightly while turning," "side gate needs to be lifted before it latches," "third floor in the lift, then turn right."

Yard gate check. If the walk ends with the dog going into a backyard, test the latch yourself the day before the first walk. Make sure it clicks shut securely. If there's a section of fencing with a known gap, fix it or mention it explicitly.

Information to record in the app

TruePath walkers access your dog's profile before every walk. Everything here should be current.

Emergency contacts. Your mobile number, a backup number (partner, family member), and your regular vet's contact and address. Most walkers also carry the nearest emergency vet in their own notes — but having your preferred vet in the profile matters if your dog has a specific condition.

Medication. Timing, dosage, administration method. If any medication is administered before or after a walk (e.g., a joint supplement given with food before exercise), note this clearly. If medication is given during the walk (rare — typically diabetics on long walks), the walker needs explicit instruction and the location of the medication.

Known triggers. What the dog reacts to, at what distance the reaction starts, and what the walker should do. As specific as possible: "she's fine with dogs approaching from ahead but loses it when a dog comes from behind — the walker should look back occasionally and cross the road before the approaching dog reaches lead-tangle distance."

Routine notes. Does the dog go straight outside to toilet before the walk even starts? Does she need 5 minutes to settle before snapping on the lead? Does he always pull to the left at the corner of X and Y Street — known and expected? This is the micro-knowledge that makes a walker's first few sessions much smoother.

Health conditions. Anything that changes walk management: arthritis (shorter distance, softer surfaces), cardiac condition (pace monitoring, never sprint), epilepsy (what to do if a seizure occurs mid-walk), post-surgery restrictions (no jumping, no steps, avoid wet ground).

What to do at the meet-and-greet

The meet-and-greet isn't just for your dog to meet the walker — it's for the physical handover to happen in real time. Walk the walker through:

Where the lead lives
The building/home access sequence
Any gate or door quirks
Where the keysafe is and confirm the code works
The post-walk process (where the dog goes when they return, water bowl location)

This takes 10 minutes and prevents 90% of first-walk access problems.

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