What to Include in a Dog Walking Visit Report (With Copy-and-Paste Examples)

The short answer: include the actual visit time, what you did, toilet observations, agreed food or water tasks, factual behavior notes, and a private confirmation that the dog and home were left secure. If something needs attention, contact the owner directly; a report is not an emergency alert.

“All good!” is friendly, but it leaves the owner guessing. Give them a clear picture of the visit without turning your afternoon into a writing assignment.

What belongs in the report?

Use the same headings each time, with fresh details underneath. Include:

• Actual time and tasks. Record the date, arrival, departure, and separate walk time if you also provide indoor care. Note completed and unfinished tasks.
• Toilet observations. Record urination and bowel movements you observed. Describe unusual stool without diagnosing. “Not observed” is different from “did not happen all day.”
• Water and food, if agreed. State what you offered, refreshed, or saw eaten. Do not add feeding, treats, or medication outside the agreed care instructions.
• Behavior you actually saw. “Stopped twice when a truck passed; resumed walking on the quieter street” is more useful than “was naughty” or “seemed anxious.”
• Secure finish, shared privately. Confirm the dog’s agreed resting place and that you checked the door or gate. Never put keys, alarm codes, access instructions, or an empty-home schedule in public posts.
• Follow-up. State who you contacted, when, what was agreed, and anything still awaiting a response.

Pet Sitters International’s professional standards (opens in a new tab) support timely client updates, clear care instructions, and securely stored client and visit information. The checklist here is a practical approach, not a required PSI form.

A copy-and-paste visit report template

Keep this in your private reporting app or notes. Delete irrelevant fields and check every blank before sending.

[Date] — [Dog’s name] Visit: [arrival–departure]; walk: [start–finish] Completed: [walk and agreed tasks; anything not completed] Toilet: [urination / bowel movement observed; factual notes] Water/food: [agreed task and observation, or not included] Behavior: [what happened and your response] Secure finish: [dog’s location; door/gate checked] Follow-up: [none, or contact time, response and next step]

Two completed examples

Both examples below are hypothetical, not reports from actual clients. The food, water, and resting arrangements assume instructions agreed in advance.

Example 1: a routine visit

October 23 — Milo. Visit: 12:00–12:30; walk: 12:03–12:26. Completed the neighborhood walk and water refresh. Urinated twice; one formed bowel movement observed. No feeding scheduled. Sniffed along the route; paused at a passing bicycle, then continued when we moved aside. Left Milo in the agreed kitchen area and checked the locked door. No follow-up needed.

Example 2: a concern communicated directly

October 23 — Ruby. Visit: 1:00–1:30; walk: 1:03–1:23. Urinated once; one softer-than-usual stool observed. Walked at her usual pace. Refreshed water; no food scheduled. Called the owner at 1:25 to describe the stool. Owner answered and said they would contact their vet for advice. Left Ruby in her agreed resting area and checked the door. Recorded the call and shared these notes privately.

The second example records an observation and direct handoff, not a diagnosis or reassurance that veterinary advice can wait.

A short workflow that fits between visits

1. Before service, agree where updates go, when owners should expect them, and the backup contact if they cannot be reached.
2. Log observations during a safe pause or immediately after care. Keep your attention on the dog while walking.
3. Check the pet name, times, completed tasks, and recipient. Send privately through the agreed channel, then retain the record securely.

PSI’s client welcome packet guidance (opens in a new tab) recommends explaining update methods, timing, response times, and reasons for immediate calls. Agree these before service. For surrounding paperwork, see our pet sitter forms and documents checklist.

When a note is not enough

Call about a change needing a decision, an unfinished essential task, or a home-security problem. Use the backup-contact plan if necessary. A sent message is not confirmation that someone has acted.

For suspected illness or injury, seek veterinary guidance rather than diagnosing or changing treatment yourself. If there may be an emergency, contact a vet or emergency clinic promptly and follow the established emergency plan while notifying the owner. Do not wait for them to read a routine report. This article is communication guidance, not medical or legal advice.

Start with a free report card

Get Booked & Ready: The Pet Pro Starter Pack through the existing free-guide form. Its five documents include a Daily Pet Report Card, New Client Intake Form, Pet Emergency Information Form, Pet Business Readiness Checklist, and “Five Documents Every Pet Business Needs” guide.

The paid Dog Walker Starter Kit includes a Daily Walk Report among eight printable business documents: print-and-write, not editable or fillable. Start free if reporting is your only missing piece.