Dog Walking in Vancouver: what to know
Vancouver walkers are out in the rain — tell them about your dog's coat, whether it likes water and where to towel off before going back inside.
Where to walk dogs in Vancouver
- Stanley Park seawall — A classic on-lead walk around the peninsula; very busy on sunny weekends.
- Spanish Banks — Has an off-leash beach area for dogs.
- Hadden Park — A dog beach in Kitsilano, popular for swimming.
- Pacific Spirit Regional Park — Forest trails, some of them off-leash — follow trail signs.
- Sunset Beach — Includes a designated off-leash area near English Bay.
Weather and seasons in Vancouver
Vancouver is mild by Canadian standards but very wet from autumn to spring, with frequent rain and the odd snowfall. Summers are generally dry and pleasant, though heat waves and wildfire smoke from elsewhere in the province have become more common.
Planning around the seasons
In the rainy season, a waterproof coat and a towel by the door make daily walks easier; ask your walker to dry your dog off before leaving.
In summer, watch for heat warnings and poor air quality, walk early and keep beach time to the cooler parts of the day.
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 Vancouver — FAQ
Is dog walking available in Vancouver?
Yes. OnlyPaw is available worldwide, including Vancouver. 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 Vancouver?
Dog walkers in Vancouver 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.
Which Vancouver beaches allow dogs?
Only designated dog beaches and off-leash areas, such as Spanish Banks and Hadden Park. Many other beaches do not allow dogs, so check the 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.
