Dog Walking in Toronto: what to know
Off-leash areas are popular but not for every dog — tell your walker whether your dog should stay on a lead and how it handles winter conditions.
Where to walk dogs in Toronto
- High Park — Has a designated off-leash area plus long on-lead trails.
- Trinity Bellwoods Park — A busy downtown park with an off-leash area.
- Cherry Beach — A large off-leash area by the lake, popular for swimming dogs in summer.
- Withrow Park — A neighbourhood off-leash area in Riverdale.
Weather and seasons in Toronto
Toronto winters are cold, with snow, freezing rain and heavily salted sidewalks; summers are warm and often humid. Spring brings slush and mud, and the lake keeps the waterfront cooler in summer.
Planning around the seasons
In winter, shorten walks on the coldest days, use a coat and booties for small or short-coated dogs and wipe salt off paws.
In humid summer weather, walk early or late and use the lakefront and shaded parks to keep dogs cool.
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 Toronto — FAQ
Is dog walking available in Toronto?
Yes. OnlyPaw is available worldwide, including Toronto. 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 Toronto?
Dog walkers in Toronto 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 my dog be off-leash in Toronto?
Only in designated off-leash areas in city parks, such as those in High Park, Trinity Bellwoods and Cherry Beach. Everywhere else dogs must be on a lead.
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.
