Dog walking client agreement template UK
A practical client agreement checklist for UK dog walkers covering services, access, cancellation fees, payment and emergency contact details.
Copyable template
Client and dog details (including medical notes and behaviour quirks)
Services booked, usual walk days and agreed prices
Access instructions and key handling
Emergency contact and vet details, with authorisation to seek treatment
Off-lead permission (in writing, if given)
Cancellation, no-show and holiday policy
Payment terms and billing frequency
Photo, message and portal preferences
Keep it operational
A client agreement should make the walking relationship smoother. Avoid hiding the important practical terms inside vague paragraphs. The agreement is where the cancellation fee, the key arrangements and the vet authorisation live in writing, so no future conversation starts from memory.
The clauses that earn their keep
- Vet authorisation: permission to seek treatment in an emergency, and who pays.
- Off-lead permission: written, specific, and easy to say no to.
- Key handling: coded tags, never addresses; what happens to keys if you part ways.
- Cancellation and holiday policy: reference the exact policy you sent at onboarding.
- Price review: note that prices are reviewed annually, so rises are expected.
Review it when things change
Update the agreement when the schedule, price, dog behaviour, access method or payment rhythm changes. An agreement that no longer matches reality is worse than none: it documents the wrong deal.
How BearWalk helps
BearWalk keeps client, dog, billing and policy information attached to the work you actually do: dogs with their quirks and vet details, access notes masked until needed, agreed prices on every walk, and your policies visible to the client in their portal.
FAQ
Does it need to be written by a solicitor?
For most solo walkers a clear plain-English agreement is a huge upgrade on nothing. If you take on staff or bigger liabilities, that's the point to get it professionally reviewed.
Paper or digital?
Digital. An emailed agreement with a written reply (or acceptance recorded in a portal) is easier to store, search and prove than a page in a folder.