Questions, answered.

The first step is reaching out through the contact form or emailing us directly at youbetterwalkllc@gmail.com. Tell us about your pet and what you're looking for, and we'll go from there.

Our full onboarding process - from first message to ongoing care - is outlined in detail on our Process page.

Caught that, did you? The logo celebrates the fact that every dog is welcome here. The policy ensures that when it's your dog's turn, they get all of our attention. Three dogs in the art, one dog on the walk. Every time.

Our core neighborhoods are Upper Arlington (Home Base), Grandview Heights, and Marble Cliff. We also offer extended service to Clintonville and Worthington - just across 315 - with a small travel fee that's waived for recurring weekly clients (see the travel-fee answer under Rates & Policies below).

Beyond that, additional areas may be possible - reach out and ask. We believe in having the distance conversation upfront rather than surprising you later.

Yes, always. We come to you - in your home, with your pet present - before a single visit takes place. It's a real conversation about your pet's routine, personality, and needs. There's no pitch, no pressure, and no charge. If we're a good fit for each other, we move forward. If not, we say so honestly and part ways without any hard feelings.

We never exchange keys or begin services before this meeting happens.

New clients: your first visit happens only after a completed meet and greet, so plan on 3-5 days from first contact to first walk or visit. We reply to every inquiry within 24 hours or one business day, so most of that window is scheduling the meet and greet, not waiting on us. We know that's not much help when you need someone tomorrow morning - but we'd be walking into your home and caring for your pet without ever having met either of you, and that's a corner we don't cut.

Existing clients: we ask for at least 48 hours' notice on new bookings - the same window as our cancellation policy. Same-day and next-day requests are accommodated when we can, but aren't guaranteed.

Dog Walking - private solo walks: 20 minutes for $20, 30 for $22, 45 for $28, and 60 for $33. Every walk includes route and visit updates plus a brief visit report. One dog per walk, always.

Pet Sitting - in-home drop-in visits for dogs and cats: 30 minutes for $25, 60 for $32, and 90 for $42, with overnight stays at $50 per night. Includes feeding, fresh water, litter, enrichment time, oral medication administration (if instructed), and a brief visit report. We also take care of small household tasks while we're there - mail collection and plant watering - because we're already in your home and it costs us nothing to help.

Bespoke Care - custom arrangements for households with multiple pets, specialized routines, or anything that doesn't fit a standard package. Let's talk.

Add-ons: an additional pet on the same sitting visit is $10, a second dog's back-to-back walk is $5 off, puppies under one year are $5 per visit, and major holidays are $10 per visit or $15 per overnight (see the holiday list under Rates & Policies below). Travel outside our core area is quoted at the meet and greet.

Every service begins with a free meet and greet in your home, with your pet present. Nothing starts before that happens.

No. Every walk is a private, one-on-one session. Your dog gets our full, undivided attention - no pack walks, no shared sessions with other clients' pets.

In multi-dog households, each dog walks separately. This is a standing policy, not a scheduling constraint. If you have two or more dogs, each additional dog's back-to-back walk is $5 off.

Absolutely. Pet sitting visits cover cats and dogs equally. Feeding, fresh water, litter, enrichment time, and photo check-ins are all part of every visit. Cats are not an afterthought here.

Every visit covers the essentials: feeding, fresh water, litter or potty needs, enrichment time, and oral medications when instructed. You'll also get a brief visit report when we're done.

While we're in your home, we take care of a few small household things as well - bringing in mail and packages and watering indoor plants if needed. It's just part of being a thoughtful presence in your space, not a separate service.

That's exactly what the meet and greet and pet profile intake are for. We ask directly, listen fully, and build our approach around your pet's individual personality and needs. There's nothing too small or too specific to mention.

For particularly complex households - multiple animals, specialized routines, specific schedules - our Bespoke Care option is the right fit.

Yes. Puppies need structure, patience, and someone who can match their energy without letting them run the show. Senior dogs need a gentler pace and someone paying close attention to how they're feeling that day.

I had two dachshunds, Hansel and Gretel, who both lived to 16. Their later years taught me what it looks like when a dog's needs shift gradually, and how much it matters to adjust and be present for every stage. That shapes how I approach every dog I work with, regardless of age.

If your household's routine needs extra structure, our Bespoke Care option is the right place to start that conversation.

Yes. You Better Walk is insured through Pet Care Insurance, covering general liability, professional liability, and care, custody, and control of animals in our care. We are happy to provide proof of coverage at the meet and greet or on request.

Yes. You Better Walk is a member of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS). Membership reflects our commitment to industry standards, continuing education, and professional accountability in pet care.

If we can't reach you and we believe your pet needs immediate attention, we are authorized to contact your emergency veterinarian and seek care on your behalf. We will document every decision made and attempt to reach you throughout the process.

Emergency veterinary contact and a backup contact for you are both collected before services begin - precisely so we're never guessing in a high-stress moment.

Any keys, codes, or access credentials you provide are stored securely and used solely for service delivery. They are never shared with anyone outside the service relationship. You may request the return or secure destruction of any physical keys at any time after services end.

Only with your explicit written consent. We'll ask during onboarding and document your preference. If you'd rather keep your pet off social media, that is completely respected - no pressure and no follow-up on it. You can also withdraw consent at any time.

No. Once we've completed the meet and greet and exchanged key or access information, we can let ourselves in and out. You Better Walk was built specifically for families and working professionals who need a reliable, personal presence during the day - anyone whose schedule means their pet spends more time alone than they'd like.

After every visit, you'll receive a brief visit report - what your pet did, how they seemed, and anything noteworthy about behavior or health. This isn't a first-visit courtesy. It's how we operate every single time.

We ask for at least 48 hours' notice when possible. Life happens, and we're reasonable about it. Late cancellations may be subject to a fee at our discretion, but if something genuinely comes up, just communicate with us directly. We'd always rather have the conversation.

No. You Better Walk is a fully independent, owner-operated small business based in Upper Arlington. The person answering your email is the same person walking your dog. We built it that way on purpose.

Holiday rates ($10 per visit, $15 per overnight) apply only during the periods when demand is highest and our own holidays are on the line:

• Easter weekend (Good Friday through Easter Sunday)
• Memorial Day weekend (Saturday through Monday)
• Independence Day (July 3rd through 5th)
• Labor Day weekend (Saturday through Monday)
• Thanksgiving (Wednesday through Sunday)
• Christmas & New Year's (December 24th through January 1st)

Every other day of the year is standard rates - including ordinary federal holidays like Presidents Day or Veterans Day.

Within our core neighborhoods - Upper Arlington, Grandview Heights, and Marble Cliff - never. A bit further out - Clintonville and Worthington, for example - a small travel fee (typically $5 per visit) may apply based on drive time from our Upper Arlington home base. It's always quoted upfront at your meet and greet, never a surprise afterward.

Travel fees are waived for recurring weekly clients. If we're already in your neighborhood regularly, the drive stops being a factor - and so does the fee.

An overnight stay ($50 per night) covers roughly 7pm to 7am in your home: the evening routine (dinner, potty breaks, play, settling in), the night itself, and the morning routine (breakfast, potty breaks, and a proper goodbye). Your pet keeps their bed, their smells, and their schedule - we're just the warm body making the house feel lived-in.

Midday care during a multi-day stay - a lunchtime walk or afternoon drop-in - is booked alongside at regular rates, so a typical full day away runs the overnight plus whatever daytime visits your pet needs. We'll map the whole schedule out together before you leave, so you know exactly what each day looks like and costs.

Your pet still gets cared for - the visit just changes shape. In extreme heat, cold, ice, or thunderstorms, the walk shortens to a safe potty break and the rest of the time moves indoors for play and enrichment, at the normal rate. Your visit report will tell you exactly what we did and why.

During declared county snow emergencies: under Level 1, we run as scheduled with flexible timing. Under Level 2, we prioritize essential visits - pets home alone come first - and reschedule the rest without fees. Under Level 3, roads are legally closed and we cannot come: services pause with no charges, and we coordinate with your local backup contact. When nature wins, nobody pays a cancellation fee - in either direction.