Have Questions? We Have Answers.

How do I get started?
It’s easy. Just contact us. We’ll talk to you about what you need and when you need it. We make things easy and quick. And promise 100% satisfaction. 

What services do you offer?
We’re absolute experts for everything related to pet exercise (walking and running), sitting, boarding, and daycare.

What kinds of pets do you care for?
We have a wide range of experience with all types of creatures. Dogs and cats comprise most of our clients, but we also help with fresh and saltwater fish, hamsters, rabbits, turtles, and lots of other animals. Please let us know if you have a special pet or unusual needs and we'll do our very best to help you out.

What areas do you service?
We currently service clients within the DuPage County area. We’re always growing too, so feel free to contact us to see if we are now covering your particular area.

Can you provide references?
Yes, we've been in business since 2007 and have helped over 1800 clients. Check out our raving fan testimonials, see our huge photo collection of pet clients, or feel free to ask us for a client that you can call directly.

What are your rates?
Prices start at just $21.00.  Dogs Love Running! is your best value. Guaranteed. Unlike most other pet care providers, we have one, low, all-inclusive rate without any extra charges aside from a small surcharge for visits made on major holidays. This makes it easy for you to remember what the charge is. Plus you know that we’re always giving you the absolute best price. Check out how we compare to others and view our prices for all our pet care services. 

How do I pay for service?
Most people pay with a credit card.  We have a convenient online billing system that charges your card once a week after our visits have been made.

Will the same person always visit my pet?
We have a great “double team” system where we have 2 team members assigned to each pet. This benefits you because we have one primary person who will always come unless they are sick or otherwise unavailable. Then, the secondary person can fill in. This way, we build a fun and loving bond because your pet pretty much sees the same person on each visit while, at the same time, we’ll always have a backup available if needed.

How do you determine when you’ll visit with my pets?
When we meet for your initial consultation, please let us know all you can about your pet's normal activities. We’ll then pick a preferred target time when we’ll come. 

Do you exercise more than 1 dog at a time?
All of our services are private. So, your pet(s) get individual attention, love, and exercise.

Where do you exercise my dog?
We stay around your home and neighborhood, where your dog is most familiar and comfortable.

How do I know that you’re staying for the entire time I’m paying for?
We always leave a daily "report card" that lets you know that we were there and provides some details as to what we did. We also can provide GPS tracking that shows you the day/time we arrived, how long we stayed, where and how far we went, and some other details. Pretty cool (and unique), huh?!?

What happens if my schedule changes while I’m away?
If you’ll be coming home early or staying later, please just let us know and we’ll be happy to accommodate those changes as best we can.

Do you administer medication to pets?
Yes, we can. And, unlike many other pet care services, we do not charge extra for providing medication.

Is it possible to get a one-time-only service? Do I have to sign a long-term contract?
People love us because we have no minimum visit requirements. Use us once or, like most people, use us again and again and again.

If I have a question or a problem, who can I call?
You can contact our main office in a variety of ways if you have any questions, problems, emergencies, or comments.

How do you screen your team members?
We’re proud to say that most of our team members proactively sought us out and wanted to work with us because they thought our concept was so exciting. This benefits you because you know that everyone on our team loves what they do - which means that they’re interested in doing a great job. We have a thorough screening process too. In fact, we interview only about 10% of everyone that applies. From there, all team members authorize reference, background, and criminal checks. We also only hire people that are dedicated and available to be with us for the long term.

What do you need from me during the initial consultation?
Please be able to tell us what you’re looking for and what would make you and your pet happiest. From that, we can tell you exactly what we can do for you. Please also provide us a key or a garage code while we’re there. Most clients have us hold on to this so that we can visit if you need us unexpectedly. We can also arrange to leave your key with you afterwards.

How much notice do you need to start service?
We have a lot of happy clients and so we’re typically very busy. So, the more notice you give us, the better. However, we can usually accommodate whatever you need, whenever you need it. Just contact us.

Can I make last-minute arrangements?
Yes. We know that unexpected things sometimes happen. That’s why you can call us at any time with or without notice. Plus, if we can’t help you for some reason, we’ll be happy to try and help you find someone who can.

Do you work on holidays?
Yes, we work on all of them.  Visits made on major holidays (Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc) will incur a small per-visit surcharge. 

What happens if it snows or rains?
Unless there is dangerous weather, we come all year ‘round in all types of weather conditions. If you’d rather us not visit during certain types of weather, please let us know.

How is Dogs Love Running! different than other services?
The key difference is that it’s our goal to help your pets live longer and behave better through exercise. It’s our mission to Make Pets Happy and, in our time-crunched world, exercise is what they need the most, but, ironically, is typically what they get the least.

Are you bonded and/or insured?
Yes. We have millions (yes, millions) of dollars of insurance as well as an additional bonding policy. In fact, we have double the amount of coverage that is recommended by Pet Sitters International (a pet sitting industry trade group). It costs us a pretty penny, but you and your pet are worth every cent. Having this coverage means that you don’t have to worry about unexpected and unintended incidents because our policies protect both us and you.

What does your “satisfaction guarantee” mean to me?
Dogs Love Running! is a reliable and reputable company. That’s one of the reasons we were awarded a Small Business of the Year award. Our satisfaction guarantee means that you will be happy with what we do for you and your pet. If you have a question or concern, please let us know as soon as possible within 7 days of our visit so that we can address and fix any outstanding issues. We will make it right quickly and easily. Guaranteed.

How can Dogs Love Running! help my pets live longer and behave better?
In many ways, pets are just like humans. Their bodies and minds directly respond to the foods they eat and the exercise they get. Regular exercise in moderation can help your pet in a variety of physical ways and may extend their life (possibly by many years) due to overall better health. Your pet may also behave better due to the fact that, just like humans, exercise can reduce anxiety, stress, hyper-activeness, and other negative traits that can lead to unwanted and/or destructive behaviors. Many of our clients will tell you first hand that their pets are clearly better behaved after a few weeks of walks/runs.

My dog doesn’t run - can you still help me?
Yes, small dogs or those that may not physically be able to run can (and should) at least walk with us via our dog walking services.

My dog just lays around. Why would he/she need exercise?
These are often the dogs that can most benefit from exercise. If your dog seems to have a clear lack of energy, exercise can often fix that problem. Just like with humans, the more your dog eats right and "works out" (walking OR running), the more likely they are to develop higher levels of positive energy.

My dog plays in the house. Why would we need your service?
Many dogs need a minimum of 30 minutes of heart-pumping exercise every day to stay in top shape and they often don't get the amount exercise they really need. We have to get their heart pumping and paws running! Running, or at least walking, a few times a week can do wonders for your dog's behavior, attitude, and energy levels - plus, of course, cut down on body fat.

How many hours can a dog run in a week?
Certain breeds can easily log up to 35 hours a week, according to the book Running With Man's Best Friend by Davia Anne Gallup (Alpine Publication, 1986). It really depends on the type of breed, your pet’s age, and the dog’s current condition.

Are certain breeds better suited to running?
A walk around the block or a 15-minute romp in the house is minimal exercise and is often NOT enough to meet the average dog's needs. Active breeds such as dogs from the sporting, herding, hound and terrier groups, northern breeds, and virtually all adolescents require much more exercise. However, a few breeds do require very little exercise to maintain good health and don't need to necessarily run if they can get some basic and regular walking in.

At what age should I start exercising my dog?
In general, after 8 months is usually appropriate for many dog breeds to do more than just casual playing and romping around. Ideally, an exercise plan should be established when your dog is still a puppy and continue throughout your pet's life. As your dog ages, exercise tolerance and requirements can be adjusted.

Why is exercise important to senior dogs?
Exercise is important for your elderly dog for many reasons. First, exercise helps maintain a healthy body weight. Being overweight may lead to a number of health problems and places excess stress on your pet's heart. When the heart doesn't function properly, other organs may suffer including the brain, lungs, liver and kidneys. Over time, these problems may become severe enough to cause life-threatening conditions. Osteoarthritis is degeneration of joints. This problem may develop during a pet's geriatric years causing pain and discomfort. Excess weight on these joints can speed up the disease. Moderate exercise may help to delay the continued degeneration of joints that are affected with osteoarthritis. Your elderly dog's mental health may also benefit from exercise. Activity keeps oxygen and other nutrients like glucose (blood sugar) at optimum levels in the brain. The brain is like every other organ in the body in that it requires good nutrition.

Is it important for me to consult a veterinarian before starting a running program?
Yes, we recommend checking with your vet to see if your dog is fit and able to participate in a dog running program.