Part-Time Dog Walker Jobs in Capitol Hill, DC
Join Aiden, Joseph, and Tom — private one-on-one walks, no pack walks, routes you know in the neighborhoods where you live.
Pay: $22–$30 per walk. Most visits are 30- or 60-minute private walks. Pay depends on walk length, route, and experience after onboarding. Employment: 1099 independent contractor.
What the job actually is
Wiggle Butts is not a pack-walk app or a gig platform that batches ten dogs on one leash. Every visit is a private, one-on-one walk for one client's dog — the same boutique standard our Capitol Hill families have trusted since 2010. You will know your dogs by name, learn their triggers and favorite sniffing spots, and communicate directly with owners by text or call when something matters.
Walks are scheduled in the Capitol Hill area: Capitol Hill, Navy Yard, Hill East, H Street NE, NoMa, and Kingman Park. Routes include Lincoln Park, Stanton Park, the Anacostia Riverwalk, Congressional Cemetery perimeter paths, and the residential grids in between. We plan around game-day crowds at Navy Yard, midday corridor traffic on H Street NE, and the dogs who need quiet side streets instead of busy sidewalks.
You are representing a small team with a 4.9 client rating — not a faceless dispatch service. Punctuality, clear communication, and calm leash skills matter as much as loving dogs.
Pay and schedule
Pay is $22–$30 per walk depending on length and experience after onboarding. Most routes are 30- or 60-minute private visits; some clients add mid-day drop-ins or occasional boarding support handled by our core team. This is part-time work built around recurring weekday blocks — especially midday — not on-demand shifts at random hours across the city.
Our busiest demand is weekday late morning through mid-afternoon, when Hill professionals need reliable coverage. Early-morning and evening blocks exist for the right fit, and limited weekend walks are available seasonally. We prioritize walkers who can commit to consistent weekly availability in the neighborhoods they know best.
Who we are looking for
You do not need years of professional experience, but you do need genuine comfort with dogs — reading body language, managing leash reactivity calmly, and following client instructions precisely. Many of our best walkers started as longtime dog owners in the neighborhood who wanted flexible part-time work that keeps them outdoors.
You must be at least 18, pass a background check, carry a charged smartphone, and reach our service area reliably for scheduled routes. We hire as 1099 independent contractors; you are responsible for reporting income and maintaining eligibility to work in the US. If you are studying, freelancing, or between roles and want structured part-time hours on foot in DC, this role may fit well.
The Team
The people you'd work with
Walkers at Wiggle Butts are background-checked, pet first-aid certified, and fully insured. You'll shadow and learn routes alongside the same small team our clients trust.
Lead Dog Walker
Aiden
Capitol Hill · Navy Yard · Hill East
Aiden has been with Wiggle Butts since day one. He leads routes through Lincoln Park, Eastern Market blocks, and Navy Yard riverfront paths — calm, attentive, and endlessly patient with anxious pups.
Senior Dog Walker
Joseph
NoMa · H Street NE · Kingman Park
Joseph knows every park trail from Stanton Park to the Anacostia Riverwalk. He matches each walk to your dog's energy — high-energy breeds love him, and so do their owners in NoMa and H Street corridors.
Dog Walker & Boarding Specialist
Tom
Capitol Hill · Hill East · Boarding
Tom oversees our in-home boarding program and brings the same warmth to every walk. Hill East clients rely on him for pre-stay meet-and-greets, medication routines, and dogs who need extra settling-in time.
New to the Hill? Know the terrain before your trial walks — read our guides to dog-friendly parks on Capitol Hill and DC leash laws and dog licensing.
Requirements
What you need to join the team
- At least 18 years old
- Reliable smartphone for scheduling and client communication
- Comfortable handling dogs of all sizes and temperaments
- Able to pass a background check before your first solo walk
- Live in or can easily reach our Capitol Hill area neighborhoods for weekday routes
- Available for at least two recurring weekday blocks per week
Neighborhoods
Where our walkers work
We hire for routes in these Capitol Hill area neighborhoods.
Hiring Process
How hiring works at Wiggle Butts
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01
Apply online
Tell us about your experience, which neighborhoods you can cover, and when you are available.
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02
Phone chat
A quick call to learn about your schedule, comfort with different dog types, and how you navigate the Hill on foot.
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03
Paid trial walks
Shadow and lead walks with Aiden, Joseph, or Tom so we can see your leash handling, communication, and route judgment.
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04
Background check & onboarding
After a successful trial, we run a background check, confirm insurance paperwork, and match you with a consistent client schedule.
FAQ
Dog walker job questions
How much do dog walkers make in DC?
At Wiggle Butts, part-time walkers earn $22–$30 per walk depending on length and experience. Most visits are 30- or 60-minute private walks in the Capitol Hill area — not stacked pack walks. Consistent weekly routes add up quickly for walkers who cover midday blocks.
Do I need professional dog walking experience?
Professional experience helps but is not required. We look for people who are genuinely comfortable with dogs, follow instructions carefully, communicate clearly with clients, and handle urban routes calmly. Paid trial walks with Aiden, Joseph, or Tom are where we assess fit — not a résumé keyword.
Is this W-2 or 1099?
Walkers join as 1099 independent contractors. You set aside taxes accordingly and maintain your own eligibility to work in the US. We provide clear per-walk pay, scheduled routes, and onboarding support — but not employee benefits.
What hours are required?
We prioritize weekday midday availability (roughly 11am–3pm) because that is when most Capitol Hill clients need coverage. We ask for at least two recurring weekday blocks per week. Early morning, evening, and limited weekend walks are available depending on neighborhood demand and your schedule.
Which neighborhoods can I work in?
We hire for routes in Capitol Hill, Navy Yard, Hill East, H Street NE, NoMa, and Kingman Park. Tell us which areas you know best on the application — we match walkers to neighborhoods they can reach reliably, not a citywide dispatch map.
Apply
Apply for part-time dog walking jobs
Tell us where you can walk and when you are available. We respond within a few business days.