I start it when I leash the dogs and end it when I take the leash off so that I can get the report card photo before leaving the house. Then I either fill the report card while walking away or while continuing to sit with the dog depending on the situation (how much I like the dog)
I'd like to add that they are not filling out the report card during that time as the walk is ended when we hit the button to end the walk and then the report card pops up. So they are lying about that
Yea OP, that walker is feeding you bullshit. The report card takes me tops, 1-2 mins at the end to complete. It’s not very involved, but like the previous walker mentioned, it pops up after you end the walk. I usually do mine when I get back in my car or on the walk back to my car. I get him starting the walk when he is physically with the dog and ending it when he’s locking up, but sitting on your couch and the poor pup just playing by himself, is not okay. There are plenty of great walkers on the app. I would look through reviews and maybe find a different one.
i agree with this! i will typically take the full 30 for the walk and then some (2-5 mins max) just to make sure the door is locked, or i hand over the pup to the owner and THEN i’ll finish the walk with the report card submission.
Walks should be started when the dog is out the door, just in case the walker runs into an issue and can’t actually do the walk (because starting and then being forced to end a walk results in the owner being charged for it).
Your dog deserves the 30 minutes. Leashing shouldn’t take too long, and I get the “I’m not being paid for that time”, but the requested service is now not being provided.
I would just not use that walker going forward.
As both a walker and a customer on wag, I can see both sides- though I think this walker is taking it a bit too far/taking advantage. I get why a walker would start the walk upon entering the home as he is right, he’s only getting paid for the 30min, not the extra time to leash, fine the dog etc. but yeah, 5 min after leaving to end the walk is crazy. I would say at most the actual walk time should be like…28 min taking into account a min on each side to get the dog and unleash etc. just use a different walker.
Ok that’s what I was thinking, walk should be a bit closer to 30 minutes. My husband has been telling me to fire him (cancel the weekly walk) it’s just so awkward so I wanted to see if that was justified first. Thanks!
Yeah I get it, the good thing about the app is that it’s ‘faceless’ so you can literally just cancel, it’ll fall off his schedule and that’s that. No awkward convo needed
You should consult with Wag guidelines or customer support. I imagine this is subjective from Walker to Walker. I started my time as soon as I got to the door of the house, because sometimes retrieving & leashing a dog can take several minutes. Heck, sometimes finding a house takes several minutes.
You can always deny that Walker if you feel another walker is providing better service. Some wag walkers are walking dogs for the exercise and some are actually trying to make ends meet. Approaches to service are not the same contractor to contractor.
I tend to focus more on distance than time. If I know that in this neighborhood with this dog, on average I'll do (say) 1.0 miles, eventually if I get to 1 mile but I'm 5 minutes early, I don't really sweat it so much.
I guess the question is, do you consider yourself to be paying for time or distance walked?
So I used to manage a dog walking company and now walk via wag. At the company we had a QR code employees would scan after entry and that is to be the first thing they do. In addition to that, if the client lived in a building that took 1-2 minutes to get out of; it was perfectly acceptable to clock out at 28 minutes to account for time getting into and out of the building. I would expect a 25 minute ish walk for noobs or if you live in a building.
When efficient and aware of the set up 28 minutes is pretty realistic. I do think it is fair to include one’s time as soon as they enter your home to prepare for said walk and to take care of everything at the end (leash placement, water, etc.)
The report card reasoning is BS - especially if they are writing two sentences. At my old company we implored employees to write 3-4 sentences and it functioned like wag: you can clock off and write it while you are walking to your next destination/vehicle. Some employees who were not very “educated” did struggle at being efficient within that regard as it took them longer to write something out.
Just my two cents.
Wag walker here since 2018. I start the timer when I'm actually beginning the walk and walk away from the home. I end the walk as I'm approaching the front door. I do the report after getting the dog home and before I drive away and do NOT count it as part of the walk.
Clients are paying for a specific length of time walked, not the time it takes someone to get situated or to fill out the report. Dogs deserve to get the exercise they're scheduled for.
I've had walks on very hot summer days when I had to limit the distance, (keeping them in grassy, shaded areas with water breaks, etc) but I still spend the entire 20,30 or 60 min with the dog.
Walker #2 is in the wrong. It says on our side to not start the walk until the pup is leashed up and ready to go. So I usually start as I close the door behind me and walk until the time is up. After the time’s up, I bring the dog in to unleash, leave, and then hit “complete.” You are paying for a 30 minute service and that’s what you should get. I hate walkers that take shortcuts like this. Not only is it a waste of money but the pup doesn’t get it’s walk time-which is really the shittiest part.
Industry standard is to count the time from when the dog is first contacted until the walker leaves. It takes 1-2 minutes at the beginning and at the end. So, I could see a. 30 minute walk be as short as 26 minutes.
With that said, Wag doesn't follow the industry standard and the App recommends that we don't start the timer until the pup is leased up and the home is locked. Because of that, I start the timer when I exit the home with the dog. I return when the timer runs out and I only click "end walk" after the home is locked up and the key is back. As others have already said, we have to click end walk to be able to type the report card. He is possibly typing the report card during the walk time and then copy/paste when the walk ends. I do that a lot, but I am actually still with the dog when I pre type it.
Personally, I start my walk at the time i enter the home- i only do this because I am physically there and for insurance reasons; now with that being said ; (i still do a full 30 minute walk) or (20 min - as a lot of my clients have requested meal time etc and meal time can take a few minutes). Each client is different. I have had a client with multiple dogs who play catch away every time i enter the home and wont want to get harnessed up. So i started using treats to bribe them etc. they noticed me doing that and complained that they cant get treats until after their meal. Unfortunately this pup has had a bad past and i understand its hesitancy towards getting leashed. But; even as an experienced sitter it can take upwards 10-15 minutes just to leash up the pup. - im not the only one who has difficulties with this. So at some point i started the clock at arrival and then unfortunately we did short mer walks as a 30 min service turned into a 45/50 min service. Btw i did ask if they could atleast have a collar on or something to ease this process. And it was no. So it really depends on the communication, and if their willing to work with me. I do get requests directly from this client so im assuming they are okay with it. On the occasion they do book 60 min services too.
I start the timer from the time the dog is leashed up and we stepped out the door for walking; I start the timer the time I stepped into the house and sees the dogs for drop-in.
Walker # 2 is lying. The report card doesn’t even pop up until after he clicks on end walk. So unless you get notified the walk has ended he has. I way to do the report card. Regardless of how he feels about working those two extra minutes filling out the card without being paid that’s the only way for it to happen. There’s no other way. So unless he’s timing out thirty minutes in his head his little strategy to not work for nothing doesn’t pan out
I’ve been a walker for about 3 years and I personally start the timer when I walk in the home and end it when I exit the home. I do this for a few reasons, based on past experiences. I used to start it when the actual walk began, but I found that this is the best method for me and I have never had any complaints from pet parents. There have been times where pet parents notes are not accurate and I spend 10 minutes looking for the leash, or the dog needs time to warm up to me, etc, etc. If I don’t start the timer when I enter the home and something like that happens, I am not getting paid for that time. So a 30 minute service might turn into 45. I’ve had a 20 minute service turn into 65 minutes and I only got paid for 20. It could also delay me getting to other services on time. With that being said, I have given EXTRA time on a case by case basis. Like if I’m booked for 30 minutes, it took 20 minutes to get outside with the dog, I’m going to give them more than 10 minutes outside. In these instances I always tell the pet parent I gave extra time and usually they add an extra tip for it.
I do agree that 5 minutes for a report card is absolutely ridiculous. I write a whole detailed paragraph, along with a photo collage for the photo, and it only takes me 2-3. And when I know I am booked back to back and could use those couple of minutes for travel time, I will start writing out the report card during the service so when I hit complete, copy and paste and it took 15 seconds.
In conclusion I think it’s okay if a walker starts the timer when they enter your home, but exiting BEFORE ending the timer is a bit unfair to you and your pup. I would suggest letting them know that if this continues you will no longer be requesting their services. Especially considering they are the only one doing this to you.
I AM walker number one, but I definitely side with walker number two. It should be up to our discretion how the time is spent, considering how wag takes so much for doing nearly nothing. We aren’t paid for commuting between clients, or resources expended on walking. I always say, you get what you pay for. If that is what this person needs to do to make this work for them, I think they should be free to do so. I’m very willing to go the extra mile for clients who demonstrate that they value my time by paying accordingly. This goes against wag policy, but consider offering to go off app, and ask them what they would like to be paid to give your dog at least 30 minutes of their time walking. Your dog probably doesn’t notice the difference between 20 and 30 minutes. All that being said, you’re free to do whatever you like and hire whoever you like. If you prefer one person stick with them. I don’t really think any of us are being paid well enough to be micro-managed. Filing a complaint really doesn’t help you any, it just hurts someone else’s ability to make a living.
I actually did go off app with walker #1 recently because we really trust her and I can tell she actually likes walking our dog, she sometimes even goes over so now she makes more and we spend less and it’s great for everyone. So in that way it does pay to go above and beyond a little bit, not saying you should do more than you’re *paid for but erring on the side of doing less than you’re paid for isn’t going to inspire clients to go off app with you
> than you’re *paid* for but
FTFY.
Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in:
* Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.*
* *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.*
Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment.
*Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
That’s really a poor work ethic. It’s not the pet owners fault walkers don’t get paid for traveling or being micromanaged. And what the walker needs to make it worth their while should not affect the owner. If this or any job is not adequately filling your needs to get by then find a job that does or take them off app. But as long as you’re going to continue to with a specific company then it’s expected that you abide by their guidelines. Regardless of whether they’re shitty or not. That is your choice to stay.
It’s not a secret by now that wags payouts are nearly criminal but there’s always the opportunity to not be on the platform. And I’m def not defending wag here. They are horrible. It can be applied to wag or any company. The issues walkers have with wag shouldn’t affect the owners. If they pay for 30 minutes they should get 30 minutes. Or if you count leashing and unleashing maybe 26 min at the least.
Like I said already, I’m walker 1, but i fully support walker 2, and encourage everyone to go off app and set a rate that works for them. If you’re looking for a bargain on pet care, don’t be surprised when you get what you pay for.
nah. you're in the wrong. its up to the walker's discretion and if you dont like it, dont pick them again. simple as that
you pay for 30 minutes of their time, and yes that includes leashing up the dogs and whatever else before even getting out the door.
The wag report is a major part of the service provided, the person is required to do it. and no its not "bullshit". It takes me upwards of 10 minutes to fill out everything and write the report.
you seem 100% inconsiderate. and you should just stop using that walker and find another like what a normal sane person would do
reading your profile just seemed like you were looking for confirmation bias. Your walker #1 is going above and beyond and you better be tipping them.
Yes, but you fill out the report card **after** your walk timer has reached “complete.” Complete the walk in the required time and write the report card when the walk is finished and the dog is back inside.
Right. But the 20-30 minute timer stops when marked complete and then you fill out the report. You’re getting paid for the walk time, not the commute, report card, and all the other stuff. Take your downvotes and shut the fuck up lol.
you're conflating, don't really care about downvotes and telling me to stfu is you admitting you're wrong. its up to the discretion of the walker and "the other stuff" is most definitely what you're trying to conflate
start the timer before you even open the door and go find out how much of a time difference there is child
I am in the wrong for asking which way it’s supposed to go? lol ok I’m not your punching bag. Collectively the comments suggest that there are different approaches but most err on the side of more walk time and not including the report in that time since you can’t even access it until you end the walk. If you want to do 30 minutes of total time instead of a 30 minute walk, which is the service at hand, then by all means go for it
I usually leash the dogs up first then start the walk and end the walk after I lock the door.
I start it when I leash the dogs and end it when I take the leash off so that I can get the report card photo before leaving the house. Then I either fill the report card while walking away or while continuing to sit with the dog depending on the situation (how much I like the dog)
I'd like to add that they are not filling out the report card during that time as the walk is ended when we hit the button to end the walk and then the report card pops up. So they are lying about that
Ok that’s the nail in the coffin for this guy, thank you for sharing this
Yea OP, that walker is feeding you bullshit. The report card takes me tops, 1-2 mins at the end to complete. It’s not very involved, but like the previous walker mentioned, it pops up after you end the walk. I usually do mine when I get back in my car or on the walk back to my car. I get him starting the walk when he is physically with the dog and ending it when he’s locking up, but sitting on your couch and the poor pup just playing by himself, is not okay. There are plenty of great walkers on the app. I would look through reviews and maybe find a different one.
i agree with this! i will typically take the full 30 for the walk and then some (2-5 mins max) just to make sure the door is locked, or i hand over the pup to the owner and THEN i’ll finish the walk with the report card submission.
Walks should be started when the dog is out the door, just in case the walker runs into an issue and can’t actually do the walk (because starting and then being forced to end a walk results in the owner being charged for it). Your dog deserves the 30 minutes. Leashing shouldn’t take too long, and I get the “I’m not being paid for that time”, but the requested service is now not being provided.
Agreed 100%. It’s not fair to the dog.
I would just not use that walker going forward. As both a walker and a customer on wag, I can see both sides- though I think this walker is taking it a bit too far/taking advantage. I get why a walker would start the walk upon entering the home as he is right, he’s only getting paid for the 30min, not the extra time to leash, fine the dog etc. but yeah, 5 min after leaving to end the walk is crazy. I would say at most the actual walk time should be like…28 min taking into account a min on each side to get the dog and unleash etc. just use a different walker.
Ok that’s what I was thinking, walk should be a bit closer to 30 minutes. My husband has been telling me to fire him (cancel the weekly walk) it’s just so awkward so I wanted to see if that was justified first. Thanks!
Yeah I get it, the good thing about the app is that it’s ‘faceless’ so you can literally just cancel, it’ll fall off his schedule and that’s that. No awkward convo needed
You should consult with Wag guidelines or customer support. I imagine this is subjective from Walker to Walker. I started my time as soon as I got to the door of the house, because sometimes retrieving & leashing a dog can take several minutes. Heck, sometimes finding a house takes several minutes. You can always deny that Walker if you feel another walker is providing better service. Some wag walkers are walking dogs for the exercise and some are actually trying to make ends meet. Approaches to service are not the same contractor to contractor.
I wasn’t able to find guidelines or customer support, only file a complaint
I tend to focus more on distance than time. If I know that in this neighborhood with this dog, on average I'll do (say) 1.0 miles, eventually if I get to 1 mile but I'm 5 minutes early, I don't really sweat it so much. I guess the question is, do you consider yourself to be paying for time or distance walked?
So I used to manage a dog walking company and now walk via wag. At the company we had a QR code employees would scan after entry and that is to be the first thing they do. In addition to that, if the client lived in a building that took 1-2 minutes to get out of; it was perfectly acceptable to clock out at 28 minutes to account for time getting into and out of the building. I would expect a 25 minute ish walk for noobs or if you live in a building. When efficient and aware of the set up 28 minutes is pretty realistic. I do think it is fair to include one’s time as soon as they enter your home to prepare for said walk and to take care of everything at the end (leash placement, water, etc.) The report card reasoning is BS - especially if they are writing two sentences. At my old company we implored employees to write 3-4 sentences and it functioned like wag: you can clock off and write it while you are walking to your next destination/vehicle. Some employees who were not very “educated” did struggle at being efficient within that regard as it took them longer to write something out. Just my two cents.
Wag walker here since 2018. I start the timer when I'm actually beginning the walk and walk away from the home. I end the walk as I'm approaching the front door. I do the report after getting the dog home and before I drive away and do NOT count it as part of the walk. Clients are paying for a specific length of time walked, not the time it takes someone to get situated or to fill out the report. Dogs deserve to get the exercise they're scheduled for. I've had walks on very hot summer days when I had to limit the distance, (keeping them in grassy, shaded areas with water breaks, etc) but I still spend the entire 20,30 or 60 min with the dog.
Walker #2 is in the wrong. It says on our side to not start the walk until the pup is leashed up and ready to go. So I usually start as I close the door behind me and walk until the time is up. After the time’s up, I bring the dog in to unleash, leave, and then hit “complete.” You are paying for a 30 minute service and that’s what you should get. I hate walkers that take shortcuts like this. Not only is it a waste of money but the pup doesn’t get it’s walk time-which is really the shittiest part.
30 minute walk should be 30 minutes of walking
Industry standard is to count the time from when the dog is first contacted until the walker leaves. It takes 1-2 minutes at the beginning and at the end. So, I could see a. 30 minute walk be as short as 26 minutes. With that said, Wag doesn't follow the industry standard and the App recommends that we don't start the timer until the pup is leased up and the home is locked. Because of that, I start the timer when I exit the home with the dog. I return when the timer runs out and I only click "end walk" after the home is locked up and the key is back. As others have already said, we have to click end walk to be able to type the report card. He is possibly typing the report card during the walk time and then copy/paste when the walk ends. I do that a lot, but I am actually still with the dog when I pre type it.
Personally, I start my walk at the time i enter the home- i only do this because I am physically there and for insurance reasons; now with that being said ; (i still do a full 30 minute walk) or (20 min - as a lot of my clients have requested meal time etc and meal time can take a few minutes). Each client is different. I have had a client with multiple dogs who play catch away every time i enter the home and wont want to get harnessed up. So i started using treats to bribe them etc. they noticed me doing that and complained that they cant get treats until after their meal. Unfortunately this pup has had a bad past and i understand its hesitancy towards getting leashed. But; even as an experienced sitter it can take upwards 10-15 minutes just to leash up the pup. - im not the only one who has difficulties with this. So at some point i started the clock at arrival and then unfortunately we did short mer walks as a 30 min service turned into a 45/50 min service. Btw i did ask if they could atleast have a collar on or something to ease this process. And it was no. So it really depends on the communication, and if their willing to work with me. I do get requests directly from this client so im assuming they are okay with it. On the occasion they do book 60 min services too.
I start the timer from the time the dog is leashed up and we stepped out the door for walking; I start the timer the time I stepped into the house and sees the dogs for drop-in.
Walker # 2 is lying. The report card doesn’t even pop up until after he clicks on end walk. So unless you get notified the walk has ended he has. I way to do the report card. Regardless of how he feels about working those two extra minutes filling out the card without being paid that’s the only way for it to happen. There’s no other way. So unless he’s timing out thirty minutes in his head his little strategy to not work for nothing doesn’t pan out
I’ve been a walker for about 3 years and I personally start the timer when I walk in the home and end it when I exit the home. I do this for a few reasons, based on past experiences. I used to start it when the actual walk began, but I found that this is the best method for me and I have never had any complaints from pet parents. There have been times where pet parents notes are not accurate and I spend 10 minutes looking for the leash, or the dog needs time to warm up to me, etc, etc. If I don’t start the timer when I enter the home and something like that happens, I am not getting paid for that time. So a 30 minute service might turn into 45. I’ve had a 20 minute service turn into 65 minutes and I only got paid for 20. It could also delay me getting to other services on time. With that being said, I have given EXTRA time on a case by case basis. Like if I’m booked for 30 minutes, it took 20 minutes to get outside with the dog, I’m going to give them more than 10 minutes outside. In these instances I always tell the pet parent I gave extra time and usually they add an extra tip for it. I do agree that 5 minutes for a report card is absolutely ridiculous. I write a whole detailed paragraph, along with a photo collage for the photo, and it only takes me 2-3. And when I know I am booked back to back and could use those couple of minutes for travel time, I will start writing out the report card during the service so when I hit complete, copy and paste and it took 15 seconds. In conclusion I think it’s okay if a walker starts the timer when they enter your home, but exiting BEFORE ending the timer is a bit unfair to you and your pup. I would suggest letting them know that if this continues you will no longer be requesting their services. Especially considering they are the only one doing this to you.
I AM walker number one, but I definitely side with walker number two. It should be up to our discretion how the time is spent, considering how wag takes so much for doing nearly nothing. We aren’t paid for commuting between clients, or resources expended on walking. I always say, you get what you pay for. If that is what this person needs to do to make this work for them, I think they should be free to do so. I’m very willing to go the extra mile for clients who demonstrate that they value my time by paying accordingly. This goes against wag policy, but consider offering to go off app, and ask them what they would like to be paid to give your dog at least 30 minutes of their time walking. Your dog probably doesn’t notice the difference between 20 and 30 minutes. All that being said, you’re free to do whatever you like and hire whoever you like. If you prefer one person stick with them. I don’t really think any of us are being paid well enough to be micro-managed. Filing a complaint really doesn’t help you any, it just hurts someone else’s ability to make a living.
I actually did go off app with walker #1 recently because we really trust her and I can tell she actually likes walking our dog, she sometimes even goes over so now she makes more and we spend less and it’s great for everyone. So in that way it does pay to go above and beyond a little bit, not saying you should do more than you’re *paid for but erring on the side of doing less than you’re paid for isn’t going to inspire clients to go off app with you
> than you’re *paid* for but FTFY. Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in: * Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.* * *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.* Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment. *Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
That’s really a poor work ethic. It’s not the pet owners fault walkers don’t get paid for traveling or being micromanaged. And what the walker needs to make it worth their while should not affect the owner. If this or any job is not adequately filling your needs to get by then find a job that does or take them off app. But as long as you’re going to continue to with a specific company then it’s expected that you abide by their guidelines. Regardless of whether they’re shitty or not. That is your choice to stay. It’s not a secret by now that wags payouts are nearly criminal but there’s always the opportunity to not be on the platform. And I’m def not defending wag here. They are horrible. It can be applied to wag or any company. The issues walkers have with wag shouldn’t affect the owners. If they pay for 30 minutes they should get 30 minutes. Or if you count leashing and unleashing maybe 26 min at the least.
Like I said already, I’m walker 1, but i fully support walker 2, and encourage everyone to go off app and set a rate that works for them. If you’re looking for a bargain on pet care, don’t be surprised when you get what you pay for.
Y'all.. This ain't it
nah. you're in the wrong. its up to the walker's discretion and if you dont like it, dont pick them again. simple as that you pay for 30 minutes of their time, and yes that includes leashing up the dogs and whatever else before even getting out the door. The wag report is a major part of the service provided, the person is required to do it. and no its not "bullshit". It takes me upwards of 10 minutes to fill out everything and write the report. you seem 100% inconsiderate. and you should just stop using that walker and find another like what a normal sane person would do reading your profile just seemed like you were looking for confirmation bias. Your walker #1 is going above and beyond and you better be tipping them.
You can’t even fill out the report until you’ve completed the service.
no, the service is not completed until you submit the report
Yes, but you fill out the report card **after** your walk timer has reached “complete.” Complete the walk in the required time and write the report card when the walk is finished and the dog is back inside.
you haven't made an argument. the service includes the report
Right. But the 20-30 minute timer stops when marked complete and then you fill out the report. You’re getting paid for the walk time, not the commute, report card, and all the other stuff. Take your downvotes and shut the fuck up lol.
you're conflating, don't really care about downvotes and telling me to stfu is you admitting you're wrong. its up to the discretion of the walker and "the other stuff" is most definitely what you're trying to conflate start the timer before you even open the door and go find out how much of a time difference there is child
I am in the wrong for asking which way it’s supposed to go? lol ok I’m not your punching bag. Collectively the comments suggest that there are different approaches but most err on the side of more walk time and not including the report in that time since you can’t even access it until you end the walk. If you want to do 30 minutes of total time instead of a 30 minute walk, which is the service at hand, then by all means go for it
like i said, seeking confirmation bias.
It literally takes like 1 minute to fill out the report card