The Best Dog Walkers in Chicago, IL
We graded 10 companies on seven things customers actually report: satisfaction, reliability, workmanship, value, momentum, track record and how owners handle complaints.
From 6,194 Google reviews of 59 top-rated dog walkers nationwide; 10 of them in Chicago, IL. Updated November 3, 2026.
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Best dog walkers in Chicago for other pet sitting (in-home)
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Chicago Adventure PackHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Other pet sitting (in-home)”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%3Overall Experts Score 20%99Job match= 94Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.89★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.94
APEXpert Holistic Paws CareHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Other pet sitting (in-home)”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%3Overall Experts Score 20%96Job match= 93Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.89★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.93Job match = this company’s ★ on reviews Google tagged “Other pet sitting (in-home)” (shrunk toward the category average when there are few), how many such jobs it has done, and its overall Experts Score.
What customers said about other pet sitting (in-home)
APEXpert Holistic Paws CarePamela did a wonderful job caring for my two Australian Shepherds in my home while we were away for along weekend. Her preparation before the trip to gather info to make the experience go smoothly was very thorough. Her communication during the trip was great. I was able to have piece of mind knowing thay my dogs…
Chicago Adventure PackJared was great. He was very attentive to our three dogs, reliable and responsible. We highly recommend him!
APEXpert Holistic Paws CarePamela is the most professional and thorough pet sitter one could ask for! She truly went above and beyond, and I am incredibly grateful for the care she provided. I’ve never felt so confident that my cats were in the absolute best of hands. She asks thoughtful questions, maintains excellent communication, takes the…
APEXpert Holistic Paws CarePamela was such a great care giver to my Leo while I was out of town. She also provided me with some great recommendations for his special diet that’s all natural. Ive truly seen a change in my pet after implanting some of Pamela’s recommendations. She stayed longer most days just because. She also sent me pictures…
Chicago Adventure Pack⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Jared has been absolutely amazing with my dog, Milo! Milo can sometimes be reactive on walks and a little anxious in the car, but Jared handles him with such patience and positive reinforcement. He gives Milo the exercise he needs, keeps him hydrated, and always updates me with detailed notes, photos, and…
Chicago Adventure PackJared was wonderful with my two pups! my first experience couldn’t have gone better! lots of fun videos sent! lots of play time! can’t wait to use again
Overall ratings
Experts Score 0–100Experts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. and a letter grade per factor (A = top 20% of dog walkers).
| # | Company | ScoreExperts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. | FactorsFactor grades, in orderSatisfaction (54%): Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Reliability (24%): How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Craft & service (0%): Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Value (14%): Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Momentum (0%): Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Replies to reviews (7%): How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.One letter per factor score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = below 20. | ★Google star rating as shown on Google Maps. | Typical billMedian bill customers of this company reported in their reviews (needs 3+ priced reviews). |
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| 1 | Chicago Adventure PackChicago, IL | A 99How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%99+58.1Reliability 26%98+25.6Value 15%100+15.2Experts Score= 99Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–AA– | 5.00 | — |
| 2 |  Sparky StepsChicago, IL | A 99How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%99+58.1Reliability 26%98+25.6Value 15%100+15.2Craft & service penalty99−0.1Experts Score= 99Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAA– | 5.00 | — |
| 3 |  Millennium Dog Walkers & Pet Care in Chicago!Chicago, IL | A 96How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%97+56.9Reliability 26%95+24.8Value 15%100+15.2Craft & service penalty86−1.4Experts Score= 96Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAA– | 4.95 | — |
| 4 |  Pet Concierge ChicagoChicago, IL | A 96How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%99+58.1Reliability 26%97+25.3Value 15%86+13.1Experts Score= 96Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–AA– | 5.00 | — |
| 5 | APEXpert Holistic Paws CareChicago, IL | A 96How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%99+58.1Reliability 26%96+25Value 15%86+13.1Experts Score= 96Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–AA– | 5.00 | — |
| 6 | A 93How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%97+52.9Reliability 24%96+23.3Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%33+2.3Experts Score= 93Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–AAD | 4.95 | — | |
| 7 |  Windy City Dog WalkersChicago, IL | A 90How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%93+50.7Reliability 24%90+21.8Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%44+3.1Experts Score= 90Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAAC | 4.91 | — |
| 8 |  Dogs Deserve ItChicago, IL | A 85How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%91+49.6Reliability 24%82+19.9Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%25+1.8Craft & service penalty99−0.1Experts Score= 85Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAAD | 4.94 | — |
| 9 |  Urban TailzChicago, IL | A 82How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%85+49.9Reliability 26%77+20.1Value 15%100+15.2Craft & service penalty99−0.1Momentum penalty73−2.7Experts Score= 82Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | ABAAB– | 4.91 | — |
| 10 |  Paws For Walks Chicago LLCChicago, IL | A 80How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%81+44.2Reliability 24%62+15Value 14%96+13.6Replies to reviews 7%100+7.1Experts Score= 80Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | ABAAAA | 4.86 | — |
What jobs cost
What customers paid, from the price Google asks reviewers to report.
| Job | Low25th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid less than this. | TypicalMedian of the bill customers reported in their Google review (Google asks reviewers for a price range; we use the middle of each range). | High75th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid more than this. | FairOf customers who rated the price, the share who chose “Great price” or “Reasonable” rather than “Overpriced”. |
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Dog Walkers in Chicago, IL at a glance
How the 10 dog walkers we rated in Chicago, IL compare, and what customers praise most.
Experts Score grades
A = score 80+, F = below 20.
- Grade A10100%
- Grade B00%
- Grade C00%
- Grade D00%
- Grade F00%
Google ratings
Average stars per company.
- 4.90★ and up990%
- 4.80–4.89★110%
- 4.60–4.79★00%
- Below 4.60★00%
What customers praise
Share of Google review highlights.
- Quality65325%
- Professionalism70127%
- Responsiveness67126%
- Punctuality231%
- Value55521%
Was the price fair?
All price verdicts left with reviews.
- Great price31249%
- Reasonable31149%
- Overpriced41%
- Not sure102%
Price verdicts by year
Share calling it great / reasonable / overpriced.
How we grade
Satisfaction (54%) — Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.
Reliability (24%) — How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.
Craft & service (penalty, up to −10) — Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.
Value (14%) — Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.
Momentum (penalty, up to −10) — Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.
Replies to reviews (7%) — How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.