Wag's walker requirements are similar to Rover's, except Wag charges $49.99 to apply and the background check is more thorough. You need to be 18 or older, pass a background check, complete an in-app quiz, and live near a Wag-supported city. Total time from application to first walk is 1 to 2 weeks. Here's the full breakdown plus what trips people up.
Wag walker requirements at a glance
- Age: 18 or older
- Location: Live in or near a Wag-supported city
- Application fee: $49.99 non-refundable
- Background check: Required, included in fee
- Quiz: In-app pet care knowledge quiz
- Phone: Smartphone with GPS
- Vehicle: Not required, but helpful in suburban markets
- Experience: No formal requirement
The $49.99 application fee, explained
Wag is the only major dog walking platform that charges to apply. The $49.99 covers:
- The Checkr background check (Wag uses the same provider as Rover)
- Account setup and verification
- Initial onboarding materials
The fee is non-refundable, even if your application is rejected. That's the part most articles skip. If your background check fails for any reason, you don't get your $49.99 back.
For more on this, see our guide on minimum age for dog walking work.
The background check details
Wag uses Checkr, same as Rover, but Wag's screening is reportedly more strict. Wag flags:
- Any felony conviction (violent or non-violent)
- Animal cruelty or abuse history
- Sex offender registry status
- Recent misdemeanors (within 7 years)
- Identity verification mismatches
- Driving record issues (if you'll be driving to walks)
The Wag quiz
Like Rover's, Wag's quiz is basic pet care knowledge. About 15 to 20 questions covering:
- Dog body language and warning signs
- Common emergencies and responses
- Leash handling and walk safety
- Wag-specific app features (GPS, photo updates, walk reports)
You can retake it if you fail. Most people pass on the first try if they've owned a dog or done basic research.
What's not required
- Certifications. Pet First Aid, professional certifications, etc., are not required.
- Insurance. Wag's built-in policy covers walks. No separate insurance needed.
- Vehicle. Not required. Most Wag walks are walking distance.
- Experience. No professional history needed.
- Business license. You operate as an individual contractor.
Cities Wag operates in
Wag covers about 100 U.S. cities, including all major metros and many mid-size cities. If you live in or near a top-50 metro, Wag is probably available. Smaller markets and rural areas often aren't supported. Check the Wag website before paying the $49.99 fee.
Skip the $49.99 application fee
Direct-hire dog walker jobs in your zip code don't charge to apply, pay $16 to $36/hr, and approve faster than Wag. Most U.S. cities have multiple openings.
Get Matched Now Near MeApplication timeline
- Day 1: Submit application and pay $49.99 fee
- Days 2 to 5: Background check processing
- Days 5 to 10: Quiz and profile setup once background clears
- Days 10 to 14: First walk request likely
Total: 10 to 14 days from application to first paycheck for most walkers.
The Wag walker requirements that change by city
Wag's stated requirements (18+, background check, video interview, training) are universal. But specific markets have additional requirements that aren't always disclosed up front.
New York City: more rigorous interview process. Multiple video rounds in some cases. Higher standard for English fluency due to client expectations in NYC market.
San Francisco: emphasis on insurance verification. Walkers may be asked for proof of personal renter's or homeowner's insurance even though Wag provides walker liability coverage.
Los Angeles: vehicle requirements stricter. The geography of LA means most walks require driving. Walkers without reliable transportation may be limited or denied.
Chicago: weather-related fitness questions. Wag wants to know walkers can handle Chicago winters. Specific questions about cold-weather walking experience.
Boston, DC, other dense urban markets: focus on dog handling experience with apartment-dwelling dogs. Different from suburban handling experience.
Smaller cities and suburbs: lower barrier overall but less work available. Walker may pass requirements only to find few walks come through.
The lesson: research your specific market's Wag presence before assuming the application will move smoothly. Some markets are easier to enter than others.
Background check standards specific to Wag
Wag uses similar background check infrastructure to Rover but with slightly different evaluation criteria.
What Wag considers disqualifying: any felony involving violence, theft, or drugs in the past 7 years. Any sex offender registry hit. Any animal-related convictions. DUI within 3 years. Multiple moving violations indicating reckless driving (relevant if walker will be driving to walks).
What Wag considers reviewable: misdemeanors more than 5 years old. Single DUI more than 3 years old with no subsequent issues. Old theft charges that have been resolved. Bankruptcy or financial issues without criminal component.
What Wag generally clears: clean record. Old misdemeanors that don't relate to violence, theft, or animal welfare. Resolved minor incidents from many years ago.
Wag's manual review process is somewhat more conservative than Rover's. Walkers report higher rejection rates on borderline cases at Wag versus Rover.
The mitigation: if you have any concerning items in your background, apply to Rover first. If Rover clears you, that's some signal that Wag might too. If Rover denies, Wag is more likely to also deny.
Equipment requirements that walkers don't expect
Beyond the formal requirements, Wag expects walkers to have certain things that aren't always explicit.
Smartphone with GPS and camera: required, not optional. The platform runs through the app. Walkers without smartphones can't work on Wag. Phone needs to handle GPS tracking and photo upload reliably.
Reliable mobile phone plan: data-heavy use of the app drains data plans. Walkers on minimal data plans run out and lose ability to do walks.
Vehicle in most markets: not strictly required but most markets have walks distributed enough that vehicleless walkers struggle to maintain volume.
Basic walking equipment: leash, treats, poop bags. Wag doesn't provide any equipment. The walker shows up with the equipment needed.
Time flexibility: while you set your own availability, the most successful Wag walkers can shift availability based on demand patterns. Rigid schedules limit earning potential.
Reasonable physical fitness: walking 4 to 6 miles daily across multiple walks is harder than walkers without recent active history realize. Knee, back, and foot health matter for sustainability.
The vehicle factor in Wag walker requirements
Vehicle requirements aren't formally part of Wag's stated requirements but functionally matter in most markets.
Cities where walking-only works: New York City (Manhattan and dense Brooklyn), San Francisco core, Boston core, Chicago Loop area. Dense enough that walks cluster geographically.
Cities where walking-only is limiting: most other markets. Los Angeles, Houston, Phoenix, Dallas, suburbs of any major city. Walks distribute across larger areas, vehicle needed for efficient routing.
The math: a walker without a vehicle can probably do 2 to 3 walks per day in suburban or mid-density areas. With a vehicle, the same walker can do 5 to 8 walks per day. Vehicle dramatically multiplies earning potential.
Costs of vehicle for walking: roughly 30 to 50 cents per mile in actual costs (gas, maintenance, depreciation). The IRS standard mileage deduction at $0.70 per mile actually exceeds typical costs, which makes this somewhat tax-advantaged.
Vehicle alternative: in dense urban areas, public transit plus walking can work for some walkers. Bicycle works in dense flat areas during good weather. E-bike in moderate density areas.
Walkers who underestimate the vehicle factor often start Wag thinking they'll be fine on transit, then quit within months when they realize the income math doesn't work.
Wag requirements that walkers commonly miss
Specific requirements that aren't prominently displayed during application but matter once you're working.
Photo requirement of 2-3 per walk: walkers who think they can skip photos lose ratings fast. Requirement is functionally enforced through client expectations.
GPS check-in/check-out at the dog's location: must arrive at the dog's location and check in via GPS. Must check out at the same location. Walks that show GPS inconsistencies get flagged.
On-time arrival within 5 minutes of scheduled walk start: tracked. Multiple late arrivals affect tier status.
Weekly minimum activity for some markets: walkers who go weeks without completing walks may have profiles deactivated. Reactivation requires support contact.
Annual recertification: yearly background check rerun and orientation refresh. The platform handles automatically but walkers should be aware.
Insurance coverage acknowledgment: walkers must acknowledge that Wag's insurance covers specific scenarios but not others. Walkers responsible for understanding the gaps.
Tax responsibility: walkers are 1099 contractors responsible for their own tax filing. The platform sends 1099s but doesn't withhold or pay taxes.
What changes once you're approved as a Wag walker
Approval grants access but doesn't grant much. The first month requires significant adaptation.
You'll receive walk offers but not many. Tier one walkers get fewer offers than established walkers. The platform builds trust over time.
Your rating starts at neutral. Each walk shapes it. The first 5 walks especially impact long-term standing.
You'll have access to the walker support resources. Documentation, safety guidelines, training refresher modules. Worth reviewing in your first week.
You'll start receiving 1099 reporting. Tracking earnings against the platform's reporting matters at tax time.
You can adjust your service area and availability. Refining these based on actual experience improves earnings.
You're now subject to ongoing requirements. Maintaining rating, response time, completion rate. Staying above thresholds keeps you active.
The first month is calibration. The second month is when most walkers either commit to making it work or recognize it's not for them. The patterns set in months 1-2 shape the next year of activity on the platform.
Frequently asked questions
No. The fee is non-refundable, even if you're not approved. Run a personal background check first if you have any concerns.
No formal experience required. The in-app quiz tests basic knowledge, but Wag doesn't verify professional history.
5 to 10 business days from application to active walker status. The background check is the slowest part.
Felony convictions, animal cruelty history, sex offender registry status, recent serious misdemeanors. Wag is reportedly stricter than Rover on background checks.