Building a pet care business can be challenging as you work to reach new customers and build a reputation. Luckily, apps like Wag! provide a platform to connect with clients and grow your business.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a young pup in the pet care industry, Wag! may be just what you need to take your business to the next level.
If you’re still on the fence, we’re here to help with our comprehensive Wag app review. From pros and cons to earning potential, here’s all the essential info you need to make an informed choice for your business.
What Is Wag?
Wag! is an app that connects care providers with pet owners for services like:
- Dog walking
- Pet sitting
- Drop-in pet care
- Boarding
- Training
The app allows pet caregivers to book and communicate with clients, plus customers can leave reviews and compare their local care options. The app matches providers and pet parents, handles scheduling, and processes payments. To ensure quality, Wag vets all providers through an extensive background check.
Pros & Cons of Using Wag for Pet Business Owners
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| You set your prices | One-time $25 registration fee |
| Keep 100% of your set tips | Wag keeps a 40% commission on all bookings |
| Customer support 7 days a week | Premium lifetime membership costs $149 |
| Wide service area — 50 states, 5,300 cities | Takes about 14 days to get approved on average |
| Separate apps dedicated to caregivers and pet parents | You must download the app to use the service |
| Specialized in on-demand dog walking jobs | Pay from bookings is distributed once a week on Fridays |
| Receive payments quickly via a Stripe debit card | Instant pay feature takes 3% or a minimum of $1.99 from all payouts |
| Offers booking options for dog trainers | Does not offer options for doggy daycare |
| Tracks walks via GPS so the owner can see where you are | Low transparency for caregivers regarding pet personality and preferences until after booking |
| Satisfied pet parents can request your services again | Open availability does not guarantee jobs |
| Choose your own hours | No insurance or liability protection for caregivers |
Best Alternatives to the Wag App
While Wag is among the most popular dog walking apps on the market, there are other options to consider. Your best fit depends on the services you provide, where you live, and how often you want to work.
Best for Pet Sitters
The Rover app is a booking app tailored to pet sitters and dog walkers. Providers create a profile featuring their prices, availability, specialties, and qualifications. Customers can browse and select services from local caregivers based on their needs.
The biggest difference between Wag vs Rover is that Wag specializes in on-demand walks, while Rover focuses more on drop-in and overnight pet sitting.
Check out our in-depth review of Rover.com.
Pros:
- Set your own prices
- Choose your hours and availability
- Free caregiver account
- 24/7 Rover Support team
Cons:
- 20% commission on bookings
- Pay for and pass a background check
- New caregivers wait 5-10 days for application processing
- Wait for customers to come to you
Best for a Variety of Pet Pros
PetBacker offers one of the widest ranges of pet-related services, including:
- Pet boarding
- Pet taxi
- Dog walking
- Pet grooming
- Pet sitting
- Pet daycare
- Pet training
This service is a good option for caregivers who have multiple specialties or who have higher-level skill sets, like trainers and groomers.
Pros:
- Free caregiver account
- Choose your schedule and pricing
- Premium Protection Coverage Insurance at no extra cost
- Bid on jobs
Cons:
- 15-25% service fee on bookings
- Protection plan caps at $1,000 for vet care after a $350 deductible
- Long verification process
- Possible penalties for booking customers off-platform
Best for Doggy Daycare
With a service area ranging from the US to Europe, Holidog offers pet care tailored for travelers. The site features dog walkers, sitters, and boarders for cats and dogs.
The company has over 117,000 registered and validated pet sitters and specializes in pet fostering (aka, in-home boarding).
Pros:
- Set your own pricing
- No service fees for providers
- A range of service options
- Customers reach out to you
Cons:
- Limited coverage areas
- No mobile app
- A smaller network than other services
- Customers must pay for additional pet protection
Wag App Review: How It Works for Pet Care Businesses
Wag helps match vetted and qualified caregivers with pet parents, providing a platform for communication, payment, and reviews. Here’s how it works.
How to Join Wagwalking.com
To get started with Wag, you’ll need to complete the initial application process.
- Provide your full name, email, and valid cell phone number
- Enter your address and verify that you have appropriate identification
- Request at least five personal and professional endorsements using the provided referral link
- Complete a pet care provider quiz
- Pay for the background check
- Once you pass the background check, you’ll be asked to sign the platform usage agreement
The verification process can take a few weeks. Once you’ve completed all of the steps, you can create a profile on the Wag app. Review your preferences and set your prices to start booking jobs.
Note: Wag requires pet parents and providers to use the app for booking. You cannot use the site to view profiles or for scheduling.
Rules for Pet Business Owners on Wag
Like any employer, Wag has a detailed terms of service (TOS) policy for all users. The company reserves the right to change or update these rules at any time.
The most important provision that providers need to understand is that caregivers are considered third-party vendors. This means that the Wag walker app is for walkers contracted by the company. You are not guaranteed hours, jobs, or benefits.
Wag also offers a searchable support database with information about company policies, accounts, safety procedures, and app troubleshooting.
How Much It Costs to Use Wag
While a basic Wag account is free, there are a few fees associated with using the app.
First, you will need to pay a fee of $49.95 for your background check. This is a one-time expense for all new providers.
Users also report that Wag takes a 40% commission on all bookings through the app, so you will not receive the full amount your customers pay. However, providers do keep 100% of tips.
Finally, the company offers an optional lifetime membership for caregivers called Wag! Pro that costs $149. With this, you get several benefits, including:
- Faster onboarding
- Expanded bid range
- 6-month profile promotion
- Priority approval for all services
- Priority placement in search
- Wag! Pro badge on your profile
- Priority access to new users
- Discounts and deals with Wag partners
If you sign up after approval, Wag! Pro costs $129.
How Much You Can Earn on the Wag App
Based on our research, the average pay for dog walkers is around $16 per hour, while dog sitters make closer to $17 per hour. This varies between regions, so make sure to research the typical pay in your area.
Because of the Wag business model, most caregivers cannot earn a comparable full-time salary as a walker or sitter. Users report earning $200-300 per week when completing regular bookings.
How to Price Your Services and Set Rates On Wag
Wag uses a dynamic pricing model, allowing providers to set their own rates. The best way to price your services is to search the app to see what other local dog walkers and sitters charge. Base your prices on local averages and the services you offer.
For instance, if you’re just starting out, you may want to opt for lower rates while you build experience and a client base. On the other hand, if you have special skills — like medication administration or pet first aid training — you can charge more for your services.
How to Use the Wag App to Get Bookings
Once you complete the referral process, you can begin bidding on jobs and building your client base. Wag recommends a few best practices for securing bookings through the app:
- Turn on push notifications so you don’t miss an opportunity
- Share your referral link with potential clients
- Accept on-demand dog walking appointments whenever possible
- Optimize your profile (more on that in a minute)
To extend your reach even further, join local Facebook groups to share your referral link and reach an even wider audience.
How Wag Insurance Works
The Wag! Claims Policy offers limited protection to pet parents if damages occur during a booking. Unfortunately, this coverage does not extend to care providers and has several exclusions.
If you work with Wag, you need to have pet sitter or dog walker insurance. With Pet Care Insurance, one policy can cover you for both.
As a caregiver, you take on substantial risk when you work with animals and in clients’ homes. If something goes wrong, you could be the one left holding the bill. Tacking on another expense may not seem ideal, but the alternative can be much worse.
Skipping insurance comes with hidden costs that can take a big bite out of your bank account. If a pet is injured or your client’s property is damaged, you could owe hundreds or even thousands of dollars for vet bills, legal fees, and repair costs. Pet Care Insurance (PCI) can protect you from paying these expenses out of pocket.
Tips for Using Wag to Build Your Business
Whether you’re a well-established pet pro or just getting started, growing your business is a top priority.
Check out these tips for building a successful business with Wag:
- Create an eye-catching profile. Make sure to complete every section of your profile, showcasing your skills, personality, and specialties. Share pics of yourself and the pets you care for (with the owners’ permission) and show customers why you’re the right person for the job.
- Earn positive reviews. Encourage customers to leave reviews after a service. Not only does your star rating boost your visibility, but testimonials show potential customers that you’re a successful and accomplished provider.
- Generate referrals. Wag provides all caregivers with a referral link, so use it! Post it on social media, text it to loved ones, and share it with clients. Your link connects to your profile so customers can book directly with you.
- Research the competition. Take some time to research your competitors every month or so. Look at their reviews, what they charge, and how they set up their profiles. This is a great way to generate ideas for your own business and see where you stand in the local market.
- Check back often. New gigs roll in throughout the day, so always check back into the app whenever you can. This allows you to snag more on-demand walks and bid on future appointments.
- Offer loyalty incentives. Give your repeat customers a discount when they request your service again or refer their friends.
Wag App Reviews: What Real People Say About Wag
Wag app reviews are a mixed bag in terms of its functionality and ease of use.
Many users point out that the app is slow, buggy, and difficult to navigate. However, there are very few complaints about the quality of the service providers.
Positive reviews tend to emphasize the terrific quality and convenience of the dog walkers and sitters, particularly for pet owners in a pinch.
Is Wag Right for Your Business?
If you’re looking to build a new pet care business or expand your reach, our review shows that the Wag app is an excellent resource. Thanks to the company’s name recognition and wide service area, you can connect with a huge pool of potential customers.
Between the cost of your initial background check, booked service fees, and the Wag! Pro membership fee, Wag may not be the best option for your business in the long term. Many providers take their business off-app once they have a solid customer base.
Bottom line: if you want to get into the dog walking business, Wag is a great place to start, but may not be sustainable if you’re looking for a steady income.
Common Questions Pet Business Owners Have About Wag
Yes! Caregivers can review each client after completing a service. If you give a customer a lower rating, that pet will no longer appear in your pool of potential jobs.
If you receive a bad review, respond directly by commenting in the app. Politely address any concerns that the reviewer may have, and do your best to make it right if possible. Apologize for any issues or misunderstandings that may have resulted from your booked service.
Wag and Rover have different specialties, so your preference will depend on your business needs. If you like to do on-demand and scheduled walks, Wag is probably the better choice. On the other hand, Rover focuses more on drop-in and overnight pet sitting and takes less in commission.
Check out our Wag vs Rover blog for a more detailed comparison.
Yes! Wag does not offer coverage for contracted caregivers, so it’s up to you to have pet care insurance. If an accident occurs while on a booked appointment, you can be held financially responsible. Liability insurance protects you from paying for vet bills, property repairs, and other common expenses out of pocket.
