For most dog walker profiles the best primary category is Dog walker — use it when: dog walking. Choose Pet sitter instead if in-home pet sitting. Pet businesses mix services and venues. Mobile groomers, walkers and trainers are usually service-area profiles; kennels, vets and shops show their address.
Open the free tool for a dog walker → tick what you really offer and get a copy-ready setup sheet
Primary category
- Dog walker — Dog walking
- Pet sitter — In-home pet sitting
Secondary (additional) categories
Add one only if the condition is genuinely true at this location. Fewer, accurate categories beat a full list of nine.
- Pet sitter — only if: overnight sitting
- Dog day care center — only if: doggy day care who else uses it
Categories to avoid
These are often added to dog walker profiles but usually describe a different or broader business:
- Pet boarding service (unless you host at a facility)
- Veterinarian
Address or service area?
Usually set up as a service-area business: hide the street address and list the cities, ZIP codes or postcodes you genuinely serve (up to 20). Don't create a separate listing for each town. Service-area vs storefront rules.
Starter services to add
Categories say what you are; services say what you do. Good first entries:
- 30-min walks
- Pet sitting
- Puppy visits
Check before you change anything
Search “dog walker” on Google Maps in your own area, open the top few profiles and note their primary category (shown under the business name). Use what's common as a sanity check, not a template — your categories must describe your business. Ready to switch? How to change your category safely.
Profile problems?
Suspended, stuck in verification, or not showing on Maps? See the free fix guides: suspended profile · verification failed · not on Maps · name rules.