CRM & Billing System (Time To Pet)

  • You will receive an email directly from Time To Pet to activate your account and set your password. Please add your payment information and review your dog's walk schedule before their first day.

  • Download the app and turn on push notifications. We will inform you of same day changes to the schedule via Time To Pet.

  • Please review our page on Time To Pet to learn more about using the portal and app.

Billing Policy

  • All of our walk packages, invoicing, and cancellation policies are based on calendar weeks.

  • Billing for the prior week will occur every Monday. Your credit card will be automatically charged followed by an emailed invoice.

  • A $40 new client administrative fee will be charged on the first invoice.

    • This fee is used to compensate your walker and their manager for attending the Meet ‘n Greet and for setting up your account.

  • Unpaid Invoices

    • After each unpaid invoice, Blue Dog will contact you via email and/or text.

    • After 4 outstanding invoices, Blue Dog will discontinue your walks and you will forfeit your spot.

Subscription Policy

  • Packages and Pricing

    • We offer 3, 4, and 5 Day per Week walk packages as part of our Subscription Service.

    • We do not allow clients to alternate between As-Needed and Weekly Subscription.

      • When signing up for the weekly subscription, you are committing to using our service a minimum of 3 days per week. The weekly subscription holds your dog’s spot on the route as well as their 2-hour pickup window. Switching to As-Needed walks with forfeit your spot. 

  • Weekly Subscription Policy

    • Walk packages may be changed on a weekly basis to meet your dog walking needs.

      • Clients with an existing 3 or 4 day walk package can move or add walk days within the current week (subject to availability).

        • Adding additional walks, the week of, will be priced based off your current package.

      • Changing the length of the walk or from Group to Solo is subject to availability.

    • To change your weekly walk package, you must contact info@bluedogsf.com by 12pm PST the Friday before the week of service you wish to adjust.

    • Walk cancellations made during the current week will not be refunded.

  • Vacation Policy

    • You can "paws" your service at any time by paying our Holding Fee.

      • The holding fee retains your dog’s spot in the pack and walk time.

    • Spots may only be held for a maximum of 4 weeks.

    • If the Holding Fee is not paid, then upon return our new client fee would be required, and the walk would be subject to availability.

    • Pausing service will incur a Holding Fee for each week of service held.

      • Fee Schedule:

        • Group 30 min Walk - $37/week

        • Group 30 min Walk (2 Dogs) - $56/week

        • Group 60 min Walk - $53/week

        • Group 60 min Walk (2 Dogs) - $75/week

        • Solo 15 min Walk - $37/week

        • Solo 30 min Walk - $56/week

      • If your pup is scheduled for 2 walks each day, this is considered two packages per week. For any full week you are away, you will be charged one holding fee for each package.

  • As- Needed Walks

    • As-Needed walks will only be confirmed the week prior to that of the walk.

    • As-Needed walks are subject to availability and can be assigned to any walker to be completed at any time we have available.

Key Policy

  • Blue Dog requires 2 forms of entry into your home.  

    • One form will be used and held by the regular walker and the second form will be used by the backup walker in case of walker's absence or emergency

    • The client understands that if a second form of entry is unavailable, a walk may not be performed if the primary walker is out.

  • Blue Dog can utilize the following forms of entry

    • Keys or Fobs

    • Client placed lockbox

    • Door Entry Codes

      • Walker will wait no longer than 5 minutes if you need to buzz them into your building

      • If you are not available you will still be charged for the walk.

    • Key check out from building concierge

      • To stay on time for all appointments, your walker will wait no longer than 5 minutes for key check out 

      • If no one is available to give us a key you will still be charged for the walk

    • Backup Key 

      • Client understands that if a second form of entry is unavailable then a walk may not be performed if the primary walker is out

Walk Procedures

  • Walk Length

    • All walk times are inclusive of time spent in the home upon pickup and dropoff as well as going to other dogs’ homes.

  • 2 Hour Walk Window

    • Your dog’s walk will begin within your 2 hour walk window.

      • We would love to be able to accommodate your requested walk time; unfortunately, between ever-changing schedules and forces out of our control, we simply cannot guarantee an exact walk time.

  • Backup Walks

    • Blue Dog is excited to be able to offer backup walks in the occasion that your regular walker is sick or on vacation.  These are always performed by one of our managers or staff backup walkers.

    • Every backup walker cannot meet each dog. As such, in order to be a Blue Dog client, your pup needs to be comfortable with being picked up by anyone on our staff.

    • If the walker is unable to get your dog out of the house you will still be charged for the full walk time.

  • Group Walk Policy

  • Must be friendly with ALL dogs

    • We do not have the capacity to group dogs based on breed, size, etc. If your dog does not meet this requirement they will be required to sign up for a solo walk (pending availability).

  • Leash Manners

    • We understand that not all dogs will be perfect on leash; however, certain behaviors may preclude your dog from continuing in a group walk

      • Continuous pulling, darting, or frequent stalling make for a very difficult walk.  

    • Pending the severity of these behaviors, your dog may require a solo walk (pending availability).

  • Walk Pace

    • To qualify for a group walk your dog must be able to keep up an average pace with their pack.  

    • If this requirement is not met, your dog will require a solo walk (pending availability).

  • Trial Period

    • After your first week of service, Blue Dog will provide you with feedback on whether your pup met all of our Group Walk requirements.

    • If after this it is determined that your dog does not qualify for a group walk then we will typically suggest a solo walk, pending availability.  If no solo walk slot is available then we will have to discontinue your service until one opens up.

Aggressive Behavior

  • Aggression Towards Humans

    • Blue Dog does not accept any dogs that are aggressive towards humans.

    • If your dog has a history that includes aggression towards humans please inform us immediately.

    • If during a walk your dog bites the walker or a passerby and breaks skin, we will not be able to continue providing our service.

    • For lesser incidents that include: baring teeth, snapping, nipping, growling or anything else that does not result in injury, Blue Dog reserves the right to act according to its best judgement.  

  • Aggression Towards Dogs

    • Blue Dog may accept small and medium (Blue Dog’s discretion) size dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs, but only with Solo Walk Packages.  

    • If prior to becoming a Blue Dog client aggressive behavior is not disclosed or your dog becomes aggressive during their time as a Blue Dog client, we reserve the right to change your package to a Solo Walk or discontinue walks altogether.

Holidays

  • We do not conduct walks on the following observed holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving (Thursday AND Friday), and Christmas Week*.

    • You can always expect a reminder email to be sent out two weeks in advance of an observed holiday.

  • Holiday Week Subscription Options

    • 3 and 4 Day clients can move their holiday walk to a different day within the same week.

    • Any walk that falls on a holiday will be automatically canceled free of charge.

  • Christmas Week

    • Blue Dog closes for the entire week of Christmas (dates will vary).

    • There will be no charges for Blue Dog’s week-long closure.

Weather Policy

  • In the case of light rain, we will typically still perform the full walk.

  • In the case of medium to heavy rain, it will be up to the walker’s discretion as to whether or not the full walk occurs, a shortened walk occurs, or we just provide a potty break.

    • A potty break will consist of the walker letting your dog out briefly for a potty break and then returning them home.

    • Pricing is the same for these days as the walkers are still out for the same period of time.

  • In the case of hot weather, walks may be shortened in length and speed but not time. We realize that our pups are all accustomed to our cool SF days, so we like to take it easy in these situations.

  • In the case of air quality being hazardous, we will just provide a potty break. The health and safety of our staff and dogs are our number one priority.

    • A potty break will consist of the walker letting your dog out briefly for a potty break and then returning them home.

    • Pricing is the same for these days as the walkers are still out for the same period of time.

Pet Sitting

  • Blue Dog does not offer Pet Sitting as a service.

  • Blue Dog may refer you to a staff member for Pet Sitting services as an independent contractor only.

  • A client of Blue Dog may inquire about Pet Sitting to their Blue Dog walker as an independent contractor only.

  • Under no circumstances should a Client’s key, given to Blue Dog, be used for Pet Sitting.

  • Blue Dog will in no way be held liable, intervene, or benefit from any Pet Sitting arrangements made between a Blue Dog client and a Blue Dog employee.

Vaccinations

  • All dogs under Blue Dog’s care are required to have their Core Vaccines, including Rabies and Bordetella, kept up to date. 

  • Blue Dog may request a copy of your vaccination record upon signing up or at any other point during your tenure as a Blue Dog client

Blue Dog Liability Policy

  • Blue Dog will not be held financially responsible for anything that our client’s dogs do to themselves or others.

  • Blue Dog will not be held financially responsible for injury or harm to a dog in our care from anything outside of our control.

  • Our Liability Insurance is for the intentional misconduct or negligence of our staff. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS  

What if I only need one or two walks in a given week?

  • If you only need 1 or 2 walks for a week, your package will be reduced to our 3 Day per Week package and you will forfeit any unused walks. 3 days per week is our minimum weekly package and we do not allow clients to alternate between As-Needed and Weekly Subscription.

How will you enter my home?

  • We require two modes of entry for your home. We can use client provided keys, a client placed lockbox or check out keys from a concierge desk.

Why should I have to pay anything when I’m on vacation and I don’t need my dog walked?

Our goal is to be the most flexible daily dog walking service in SF by allowing changes in weekly plans. However, we do have to consider the scheduling and fixed costs of our business when accommodating suspension of service.

  • From a service perspective: We put a great deal of effort into creating packs and sticking to preferred walk windows. When a dog is on vacation, we are left with gaps in the walker’s schedule and open spots in their packs. This throws off timing and leaves open spots in packs that could be filled by customers on our waiting list.

  • From an operational perspective: We strive to create an amazing work environment for our walkers in an era when many hourly jobs are gig jobs with no stability or benefits. In order to provide a great employment opportunity for our walkers, we offer minimum hours to ensure a reasonable workday. With this we hope to attract and retain the best possible walkers for your pup in an extremely difficult hiring environment.

Couldn’t I just forgo the Holding Fee and “Cancel” my service while I am away?

  • That is an option, however we would be obligated to offer the spot to another customer if they are on our waiting list. Then upon return, the New Client Fee will be charged to reinstate your service. Our goal isn’t to penalize our customers for taking a vacation, but to allow us to consistently provide the best service for everyone!

If Blue Dog only provides a potty break on a rainy day then why do I still have to pay full price?

  • Unfortunately for the walker, they are still working the same hours on a rainy day.  Because we can’t expect all of our dogs to want to go for a walk in the rain, we have to break up all of our group walks and go to each house separately to perform solo potty breaks.  Additionally, with the changes that occur on a stormy day, we might actually be able to perform some full walks, but not others. There are just too many variables on a rainy day and this policy has best allowed us to handle them.