Dog Walking in Melbourne: what to know
Melbourne walkers make the most of off-leash parks and creek trails. Tell them about recall, how your dog handles cyclists, and how to adjust for sudden weather changes.
Where to walk dogs in Melbourne
- Royal Park — Large park with designated off-leash areas.
- Princes Park — Open space in Carlton North, popular for dog walks.
- Brighton Dog Beach — A designated beach where dogs can run off-leash.
- Merri Creek and Yarra trails — Long creek-side and river paths; watch for cyclists.
Weather and seasons in Melbourne
Melbourne is known for "four seasons in one day": hot northerly days in summer that can pass 40°C, cool changes, and chilly, damp winters. Spring brings grass seeds and pollen.
Planning around the seasons
On hot northerly days, walk early, avoid hot footpaths and keep dogs indoors in the afternoon heat.
In spring and early summer, check paws, ears and coats for grass seeds after walks.
Before you book
Walkers can offer extras such as photo updates, a report card, pick-up from home or an extra 30 minutes — you see what each walker offers before booking.
Keep your pet's vaccinations and any local registration up to date and carry the records — providers may ask to see them before the first booking.
Dog Walking in Melbourne — FAQ
Is dog walking available in Melbourne?
Yes. OnlyPaw is available worldwide, including Melbourne. Because it's a marketplace, the dog walkers you can book depend on who has been approved near your address — the app shows who's available before you pay.
How much does dog walking cost in Melbourne?
Dog walkers in Melbourne set their own prices, so you see each provider's rate in the app before you book. At checkout OnlyPaw adds a service fee of 10% of the service price, with a minimum of USD 2 and a maximum of USD 20 (or the equivalent in your local currency), shown before you pay. Your payment is held and only released to the provider after the service is completed.
How are providers vetted?
Every provider submits a government ID and a selfie, passes a knowledge test with a 70% pass mark and uploads service-specific documents — home photos for sitting and boarding, driving licence and vehicle registration for pet taxi, certificates for grooming and training — before the OnlyPaw team approves them.
Where can dogs run off-leash in Melbourne?
In council-designated off-leash areas, such as parts of Royal Park, and on designated dog beaches like Brighton Dog Beach. Rules differ by council and season, so check signs.
What if I need to cancel?
Each provider uses one of three cancellation policies. Under the default moderate policy you get a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start, 50% if you cancel at least 2 hours before, and nothing in the last 2 hours. The flexible policy refunds in full up to 2 hours before the start; the strict policy refunds in full from 48 hours and 50% from 24 hours before.
What happens in an emergency?
Every active booking has an SOS button in the app. It alerts the other party and the OnlyPaw team straight away. If your pet needs urgent medical care, contact a vet or emergency clinic first.
