Analyzing 8,043,4988M ReviewsFor 22,80322.8K Experts
We graded 4 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; 4 of them in Portland, OR. Updated November 3, 2026.
Pick the job — we re-rank companies by how customers rated that exact job.
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). |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Holly Hearts Animals: Dog boarding + Pet sittingPortland, OR | A 98How 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%98+57.5Reliability 26%97+25.3Value 15%100+15.2Craft & service penalty99−0.1Experts Score= 98Not 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– | 4.99 | — |
| 2 |  Dog Basics PDXPortland, OR | A 92How 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%86+22.4Value 15%100+15.2Momentum penalty70−3Experts Score= 92Not 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. | AAAAB– | 4.99 | — |
| 3 |  Katcandu and Woofgang LLCPortland, OR | A 91How 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%93+54.6Reliability 26%81+21.1Value 15%100+15.2Craft & service penalty99−0.1Experts Score= 91Not 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– | 4.96 | — |
| 4 |  PetSitter Portland + dog walkingPortland, OR | A 86How 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%90+49.1Reliability 24%85+20.6Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%29+2.1Experts Score= 86Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–AAD | 4.91 | — |
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”. |
|---|
How the 4 dog walkers we rated in Portland, OR compare, and what customers praise most.
A = score 80+, F = below 20.
Average stars per company.
Share of Google review highlights.
All price verdicts left with reviews.
Share calling it great / reasonable / overpriced.
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.
The 10 best-rated dog walkers in Portland, OR average 5.0★ on Google across 844 reviews. Dog Basics PDX has the top rating (5.0★). Updated November 3, 2026.
10 companies that meet our bar: rated 4.5★ or higher on Google, with a meaningful review history (844 reviews combined) and currently operating. Request a call back and the company will phone you directly.
“Timothy was referred to me by a friend. I liked his positive reinforcement technique. He was willing to take my 90lb pitbull on training walks. He got him to stop chasing squirrels and cats and refocus on me during…” — Google review
“I can't recommend these folks enough. They took excellent care of our 4 cats during an 11-day vacation. They are detail oriented and send thorough messages following every visit (with lots of photos!). We felt they…” — Google review
“Holly has boarded our dog multiple times over the last couple of years. We remain loyal clients because Holly is easy to coordinate with, she’s organized, and most importantly, she takes great care of our sweet old…” — Google review
“Ginger was absolutely amazing! She took such great care of our cats when we went on a trip recently. It’s never easy leaving our cats behind when we’re traveling, but working with Ginger definitely helped to put our…” — Google review
“Our 2 young dogs go for pupventures on my work days, and they LOVE them. They start bouncing at the door as soon as the Surf’s Pup van pulls up to the curb. They always come home happy and sleepy. The owners and…” — Google review
“My pup is my world, and one of my biggest worries when we moved was finding our a new dogsitter. Luckily, we found Betsy and Amelia. Our dog ADORES them, and routinely goes to their home for doggy daycare and stays…” — Google review
“I sent Tucker, my cattle dog, to Toby for 6 months before we left Portland and it was the best thing I've ever invested in. Tucker loved his adventure days. He always came back happy and tired. I highly recommend…” — Google review
“We so appreciate Wendy's care of our dog Lottie! She has been very consistent and helpful with letting her out while we work- and sends fabulous photos of her. We recently boarded Lottie for two weeks at Wendy's home…” — Google review
“Janis, Steve, and the team at Surf's Pup are the best! They treat my senior dog with such love and care, paying close attention to her needs and making changes to her exercise plan so that she may live her best life!…” — Google review
“I can not say enough wonderful things about Shaley and her business. I rarely go away and when I do I worry about my 2 pups and she took the absolute best care of them so I could enjoy my trip. Above and beyond every…” — Google review
We scan Google Maps for dog walker listings in and around Portland, keep only open businesses whose main category matches the service, and require a Google rating of at least 4.5 from at least 20 reviews. Companies are ordered by a confidence-weighted score that balances rating and review volume. We do not accept payment for placement.
Dog Basics PDX has the highest Google rating on our Portland list: 5.0 out of 5 from 258 reviews (as of November 3, 2026).
Dog Basics PDX has the most Google reviews among the companies listed here: 258, with a 5.0★ average.
Only open Portland-area businesses whose Google category matches the service, rated at least 4.5★ from at least 20 Google reviews. They are ordered by a confidence-weighted score of rating and review volume. Placement is never paid.
Also in Portland: Immigration Lawyers · Eyelash Extension Services · Dumpster Rental Services · Flea Exterminators · Land Surveyors · Travel Agencies · Window Tinting Services · Apple Repair Services · Farmers Markets · Web Designers
Analyzing 8,043,4988M ReviewsFor 22,80322.8K Experts