6 dog walkers available in Tempe
| Service | Typical range (USD) |
|---|---|
| 30-minute solo walk | $20–$30 |
| 60-minute solo walk | $30–$45 |
| Group walk | $16–$25 |
| Drop-in visit | $20–$32 |
| Overnight sit | $55–$95 |
These are national guideline ranges — local rates in Tempe vary with solo vs group walks, peak after-work times, and the number of dogs.
Treat the meet-and-greet like an interview. Ask to see proof of insurance and any pet first-aid certification, ask for two client references you can actually call, and confirm how keys are handled (a written key agreement is the professional standard). Watch how the walker greets your dog — a good one gets low and lets the dog approach. Agree in writing on the exact service, rate, cancellation policy, and the emergency plan (which vet, who they call).
Arizona is a pure strict-liability state where breed can't be considered — and its at-large statute names dog-walkers, with the shortest bite-claim clock in the US (1 year).
These state-level rules apply across Arizona; the local rules that govern day-to-day walking are on the Local bylaws tab.
Arizona (A.R.S. § 11-1025) is one of the strictest strict-liability states: an owner is liable for a bite in public or a lawful private place, regardless of the dog's history or the owner's knowledge, and the only defense is provocation (Murdock v. Balle) — assumption of risk and contributory negligence are superseded. Breed may not be considered by any court in deciding viciousness or liability (§ 11-1025(C)).
Arizona has a statewide leash / at-large law (§ 11-1012) plus licensing (§ 11-1008), and a leash violation is negligence per se. Critically, the at-large statute (§ 11-1020) makes the owner or the person responsible for the dog — expressly including a dog-walker or pet-sitter — liable for injury (bite or non-bite, like a knockdown) caused by a dog that is not leashed or confined. So while the pure bite statute targets the owner, the at-large statute puts the walker squarely on the hook for a loose dog.
Mandatory bite reporting (§ 11-1014(E)) triggers a 10-day quarantine. Arizona has an unusual split on time limits: the strict-liability claim has a 1-year statute of limitations (§ 12-541) — the shortest in the country — while negligence claims get two years (§ 12-542). Comparative negligence can reduce but not defeat strict liability.