You’re in the middle of a walk with your golden retriever when your phone buzzes.
It’s another client rescheduling at the last minute. You’re juggling a list of clients, walk times, routes, and payments, all in your head or scattered across texts and spreadsheets.
Meanwhile, customers want convenience, real-time updates, and easy payments.
You realize: it’s time to build a dog walking app that people want to use.
We’ve built solutions in industries from delivery platforms to pet care marketplaces.
And if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that successful apps don’t just check boxes, they solve real, everyday problems.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to build a dog walking app that both dog owners and dog walkers will love using every day.
Why Are Dog Walking Apps on the Rise?
The pet services industry has exploded, and with it, demand for reliable dog walking services.
Apps like Rover and Wag have seen strong traction because they make booking, tracking, and reviewing dog walks as easy as ordering dinner.
Here’s what users are searching for frequently:
- “Dog walking app”
- “Dog walking services”
- “Pet sitting app” and “dog walker app”
Founders and product teams are catching on: there’s an opportunity here.
But building a dog walking app that works for both users and providers? That’s another story.
What Are the Real Features of a Dog Walking App That Users Want?
Many fail because they assume it’s just about booking a walk. But the top-performing dog walking apps include:
- User Profiles (for both walkers and pet owners)
- GPS Tracking during walks
- In-App Chatfor real-time updates
- Calendar Sync & Scheduling
- Secure Payments and tipping
- Ratings & Reviews
- Push Notificationsfor walk updates or changes
We’ve delivered these kinds of features before like live tracking for a logistics app, and real-time messaging in a food delivery platform.
The difference? We blend engineering with product thinking.
What Are the Best Technologies for Dog Walking App Development?
We often get asked: What’s the best tech stack for dog walking app development?
Here’s a clean, proven stack:
- Frontend: React Native (for iOS + Android)
- Backend: Node.js or Django
- Database: PostgreSQL + Redis for session handling
- Maps & GPS: Google Maps API / Mapbox
- Push Notifications: Firebase
- Payments: Stripe or Razorpay
These tools are battle-tested and reliable. We don’t experiment at your cost.
Learn to integrate Razorpay in NodeJs app.
Every dog walking app we’ve touched was built for scale and speed.
How to Build a Dog Walking App (Step-by-Step)?
Step 1: Discovery & Validation
- Start with deep research. Talk to real dog walkers and pet owners.
- What frustrates them? What’s missing from current dog walking services? Tools like Typeform or simple interviews can surface powerful insights.
- Your goal here is to validate that there’s a real need and pain point to solve. No assumptions, just facts.
Step 2: Sketch the Core Journey
- Lay out the user flow. What does a typical journey look like from opening the app to completing a dog walk?
- For the pet owner, it might go: Sign up → Create pet profile → Book a walk → Get real-time updates → Pay.
- For the dog walker: Receive request → Accept → Navigate → Complete walk → Get paid.
- These flows guide your feature priorities.
Step 3: Wireframes + Clickable Prototype
- Once you’ve got the journey, translate it into wireframes. Use tools like Figma to map each screen login, scheduling, maps, chat, etc.
- We build clickable prototypes in 10 days, which lets you test the UX early with actual users. Their feedback will shape your decisions.
Step 4: Build MVP with Essential Features
- Don’t build everything. Focus on the must-haves: account setup, GPS tracking, scheduling, payment, chat.
- Our team prioritizes swift delivery & getting an MVP in users’ hands quickly allows you to test and iterate.
Step 5: Test with Real Users
- Your app isn’t finished when you ship the code. You need feedback from real users like walkers and owners.
- Observe where they get stuck. Are there bugs? Are they confused by the UI? Use that feedback to fix fast.
Step 6: Launch + Learn
- Launch doesn’t mean done, it means iteration begins.
- Monitor key metrics: How many bookings are completed? What’s user retention like after 30 days? How many dog walkers are active?
- With this data, you improve. Iterate. Optimize.
At Seven Square, we guide you through each of these steps, clearly, and efficiently. You won’t be left guessing.
How to Create an App Design That Feels Right?
A beautiful interface means nothing if it’s not usable. Your dog walking app design should focus on:
- Frictionless onboarding
- Clear CTAs
- Map-first experience
- Accessible color contrast and tap sizes
At Seven Square, we follow one principle: If your mom can’t use it, it’s not ready.
What Are The Features of a Successful Dog Walking App (That No One Tells You About)?
Some of the best features are the least visible:
- Admin Dashboard to manage users and payouts
- Automated Payouts to dog walkers every week
- ID Verification Tools for Safety
- Dispute Resolution System
- Referral System to grow organically
Real success isn’t in adding features, it’s knowing which ones your users will use. That’s product thinking.
How is Seven Square different from others?
We don’t overpromise. We deliver custom solutions with:
- Swift delivery (because time is always money)
- Clear communication (you’ll never chase us)
- Uncompromising quality (buggy apps don’t belong in 2025)
From dog walking services to on-demand platforms, we’ve shipped products that scale and last.
Want a customized app? Contact Us Now!
How to Ensure User Engagement in Dog Walking Apps?
An app doesn’t grow if people don’t return. Here’s how to improve user engagement:
- Personalized reminders for repeat bookings
- Loyalty rewards for frequent walkers
- Real-time photos and walk updates
- Fast, human support (chat or call)
And yes, push notifications are used sparingly. No one wants a spammy app.
Don’t Just Build a Dog Walking App, Build the One They Can’t Live Without
There’s room in the market, but not for just another app. Build one that feels effortless to use.
One that people recommend. One that grows by itself.
Communication is everything. Between dog owners and walkers.
Between you and your team. And yes, between you and your app development partner.
FAQs
- Not necessarily. You can build a single app with dual login roles and different dashboards.
- However, separate apps allow for more personalized experiences. We help you decide based on your business model and user flows.
- Build features like verified profiles, background checks, real-time GPS tracking, and a rating system.
- Trust isn’t a feature, it’s a feeling users get from using your app. We’ve helped other marketplaces create this layer effectively.
- Use a secure, reliable gateway like Stripe or Razorpay.
- They allow split payments, so you can collect your platform fee while paying dog walkers directly.
- We’ve implemented this model successfully for other gig-based apps.
- It’s the classic chicken-and-egg problem.
- Start by onboarding quality walkers in a specific area, then launch locally with pet owners.
- We can also build a referral engine to fuel organic growth on both sides.