Wag Review
Pros
- On average make around $17.50 per walk
- Set your own schedule and manage your services
- Dog owners can tip you via app
- Company donates meals to rescue dogs
Cons
- Wag takes 40% off the top of our payments
- You have to pay $25 for a background check
Jump to: Full Review
Compare to Other Gig Economy Jobs
DoorDash
Earn $25 per hour plus keep 100% of your tips (4000 cities in USA)
You can use any mode of transportation: your car, bicycle or motorcycle
You have the freedom to pick and choose which orders you want to accept
How Does Wag Work?
Wag essentially allows you to;
- Sign up and make your own schedule, walking as little or as much as you’d like.
- Connect with pet owners in their area that need on-demand walks.
- Fill out a detailed report card with notes on how the walk went.
- Get paid for your services through Payable, an online payment platform.
Through the Wag app, owners can request dog walking services. It also lets the owner know when the walker confirms availability. Most walkers can fulfill a request within 30 minutes of a request.
There are three different types of walk on Wag:
- ASAP: This is for owners who need an on demand dog walk as soon as possible.
- One time: This is to schedule a walk at a specific time in the future.
- Recurring: This allows owners to set a recurring schedule for a weekly walk.
Pet owners who sign up to Wag will also receive a free lockbox. This allows you access to house keys if the dog owner is not at home.
The app also allows owners to leave instructions about the dog’s needs or other tendencies. During the walk, you can provide reassurance for the owner with notifications about the dog’s progress and GPS tracking.
After the walk, you will need to complete a pup report that includes notes and a photo. You will also need to confirm you have locked the home after dropping off the dog.
While dog walking is the most popular Wag service, you can also offer dog sitting or boarding services.
Set Your Schedule
With this app, you can connect with dog owners in your area and view the available requests when you’re ready to work.
The requests detail:
- The requested time of the walk
- How long it should be
- The type of dog
- How far away it is.
You can then choose the walks that you would like to accept. This can be one time walks, recurring or both.
It is important to note that Wag recommends you arrive at the home on time and wear suitable clothing and footwear. It is a good idea to bring some poop bags, in case the owner forgets to provide them. If you have any queries or the owner has forgotten to provide some information, you can contact the owners through the app during the dog walk.
Since the owner may not meet you face to face. So, it is crucial to take notes of how the walk went.
How Much You Can Make With Wag?
Wag has three base rates for different walks.
These are:
- 20 minute walk: $9
- 30 minutes: $12
- 60 minute: $18
Additionally, you can keep all of your customer tips. The app does encourage owners to tip. So, it is important to complete the pup reports carefully and ensure that the owner is reassured about their dog’s status.
You’ll be paid for your services through the online payment platform, Payable. This system connects to your bank account through the app. Each week, you’ll receive an automatic deposit for the funds you earn for complete walks.
Who is Wag Best for?
Wag is designed for pet sitters, dog trainers, and dog walkers who want to make extra money walking and taking care of pets. The platform is also meant for pet owners who need animal care.
Wag Benefits: What Does Wag Offer?
Flexibility
Wag allows you to make money on your own time and enjoy the flexibility of choosing how and when you want to work.
Technology
Wag offers instant pay, real-time GPS tracking, automated report cards, and live chat with clients as a fast, friendly, and convenient platform.
Safety
Wag has a dedicated 24/7 customer support team that sticks by you.
Guarantees Protection
Wag protects you by guaranteeing up to $1M of damage protection.
Wag Requirements
There are several requirements to join the Wag platform. These include:
- Age 18+
- Have experience with dogs
- Access to transportation to get to the jobs
- Be in sufficient physical condition to handle the walks
- Have a compatible Android or iPhone device.
Wag Costs to Consider
While the Wag app is free to download, there are some costs associated with becoming a Wag walker. The main fee is for the background check. This costs $25.
This is an upfront cost, but it is a vital part of the application process. Wag attracts dog owners to the platform with the reassurance that all walkers have been vetted to ensure that they are responsible and trustworthy.
Additionally, Wag charges a 40% commission rate on your earnings.
Wag Payout Terms and Options?
Besides its standard weekly payments, Wags Instant Pay allows you to instantly send money you’ve earned using the Wag platform to an eligible debit card. Once you initiate the payment, it will appear in your account within 30 minutes but may take longer depending on your bank’s processing time Wag will also deduct a 3% fee on the payment.
Wag Reviews: is Wag Legit?
Wag is certainly a legit company that has been paying dog sitters since 2015. Having a rating of 4.8 on the app store and 4.0 on Trustpilot, this app has generally been reviewed positively. According to most dog sitters, the app allows them to make extra money taking care of pets.
Others were also pleased with its Instant Pay, which let them receive payments faster. Unfortunately, there are few comments that indicate getting started with the platform is a bit difficult as it requires a complicated application process.
Other sitters also complained about not being able to reach support on time.
Website | Rating |
---|---|
App Store | 4.8 |
Trustpilot | 4.0 |
What Are the Wag Pros & Cons?
Wag Pros
- Wag allows you to keep 100% of your customer tips
- Flexible hours
- You also have the flexibility to pick and choose which walks you would like to accept
- Allows you to accept or reject the walk
Wag Cons
- Long winded application process
- While you can get to keep your tips, the base pay rate is a little low
How Good is Wag Support and Knowledge Base?
Wag has comprehensive support and knowledge base, including expert information, helpful tools, and tailored insights for all aspects of pet ownership. You can also email them at pr@wagwalking.com or call 323 894-7981.
Wag Review Verdict: is Wag Worth it?
Wag is an online app that allows you to walk, sit, or board pets for money. If you seek work involving pet care services, you can get approved and earn up to $18 per hour.
While the platform has a long and winding application, you can enjoy flexible working hours and choose when to work. Plus, the app allows you to keep up to 100% of customer tips. If you consider these features, Wag is worth it.
How to Start Earning With Wag?
Wag makes it simple to get started. The platform encourages walkers with experience, but as long as you are responsible and professional, you can apply.
Initial questionnaire:
The application process begins with a questionnaire about you and your experience. You can detail any pet sitting or dog walking experience.
Assessments:
You will then need to complete a series of assessments. These include:
- A quiz on safety and dog care. This evaluates your knowledge of proper walking techniques.
- A collar and harness test. This is an assessment to test you on your knowledge of the types of harnesses and collars you may encounter on your walks.
- Situational assessment: This tests your ability to handle unpredictable and varied situations. For example, how to recognize and deal with aggression.
Complete a background check:
Once you complete all the assignments, you will need to complete a background check. Wag charges a $25 fee for this.
Set up your profile:
You can now set up your profile. You’ll need to write a short bio and upload a professional photo. Remember, your profile is how dog owners will get to know you, so you need to showcase your professionalism and trustworthiness.
Sites Like Wag
Company | Wag | Doordash | Grubhub | GoPuff |
---|---|---|---|---|
Logo | ||||
Pay per hour | $18 | $20 | $12 to $13 | 13 |
Schedule | Weekly | Weekly | Thursdays | Wednesdays |
Best for | Pet sitting,dog walking | Food delivery | Food delivery | Delivery services |
Wag vs. DoorDash
DoorDash is a gig workers app that allows you to make money delivering foods. While both DoorDash and Wag will enable you to make money online, DoorDash’s main focus is food delivery, while Wag focuses on pet care.
DoorDash also allows you to earn up to $20 per hour compared to Wag’s expected earnings of $18 per hour. Otherwise, both platforms offer legit ways to make money and pay weekly.
Wag vs. Grubhub
Grubhub is a food delivery app that allows you to make money delivering restaurant foods. Like Wag, Grubhub is free to sign up and use. Grubhub also allows you to make $12 to $13 compared to Wag’s expected earnings of $20 per hour.
As for the payment schedule, Grubhub pays every Thursday compared to Wag, which pays weekly. Apart from the fact that they let you earn money online, the two platforms don’t have much in common.
Wag vs. GoPuff
GoPuff is one of the best gig job apps that let you make money delivering food. Both platforms are free to sign up and make some of the best side hustles.
While GoPuff lets you make up to $13, Wag allows you to earn $20 per hour taking care of pets. GoPuff also allows you to withdraw money every Wednesday, compared to Wag, whose payment schedule is weekly.
Wag vs Rover
The main competitor of Wag is Rover. This is a very similar platform as it also offers dog walking and pet sitting. The key difference between Wag and Rover is that Rover allows you to decide how many dogs you can walk at a time. This makes it easier to scale your dog walking business. If you have the capabilities, you can walk several dogs to maximize your hourly rate. This is not an option with Wag.
Additionally, Rover allows you to set your own rates. While you need to be competitive, this also increases your earning potential. The Rover commission rate is also lower at 20%.
Wag vs Petsitter
Unlike Wag, Petsitter is a self service agency. This means that you don’t need to pass assessments or a background check. Instead, you can use this platform like a job board to find dog walking clients or dog sitting tasks.
The site does provide support and resources for dog walkers including guidance and articles. However, you mostly need to manage your own jobs.
This does allow you to have greater flexibility compared to Wag. But, it can be trickier to find clients. You can expect to earn up to $15 per hour, which is lower than the Wag base rate.
Wag vs PetBacker
PetBacker is a dog walking app that doesn’t require a lot of tests to get started. So, it is easier to get started compared to Wag.
You can register with the site and list your services, including pet boarding, dog walking and pet grooming. The site allows you to set your own rates, but the average is around $15 per hour. Just be aware that you will need to pay a service fee of up to 25%.
One similarity with Wag is that you still need to pass a background check to sign up for PetBacker.
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Wag FAQ
What is Wag?
Founded in 2015, Wag is an online platform that connects dog-walkers, pet-sitters, and trainers with people who need animal care. From GPS-tracked walks and customized lockboxes to set it and forget it booking in the Wag app, Wag makes being a pet Parent easy.
As a dog walker, you can sign up and receive notifications when someone in your area is in need of dog walking services. Dog owners will also know their pet is in good hands and getting the necessary exercise.
This allows you to make a side hustle, spending time with pets. Today, the company has a community of 150,000+ pet Caregivers nationwide and has donated over 10 million meals.
A portion of its proceeds from the walks you book help to feed shelter dogs in your area.
What are One-Time walks?
One-time walks are a scheduled, one-time commitment of either 20, 30, or 60 minutes.
What is a recurring service?
Recurring services are walks that typically require a commitment of 3+ months to allow Pet Caregivers to keep a consistent, set schedule.
Am I able to leave during a sitting?
While you can leave during the day, you’re encouraged to be with the pet as much as possible.
Do I need to pick up and drop off the pets?
Pet Parents can request you to pick up and drop the pet for an additional fee
Can you trust Wag walkers?
Wag walkers are bonded and insured; hence you can trust them.