How do I find a trustworthy dog walker?

Ask specifically how many dogs are walked at once, whether visits are solo or in a group, what happens in bad weather, and what the walker's plan is for an emergency such as an escape or injury, since vague answers to these questions are worth noting.

A week or two of visits, with a camera set up to review footage of the actual walk preparation and departure, shows whether the walker is punctual, gentle with handling, and follows any specific instructions you have given about your dog's routine.

A walker who leaves brief notes or photos after each visit, asks clarifying questions about your dog's needs, and adjusts based on feedback tends to be more reliable long term than one who treats each visit as purely routine.

A walker who is frequently late without warning, gives vague or evasive answers about how many dogs they handle at once, or seems reluctant to have you review any camera footage from the visit are all reasons to reconsider the arrangement, even if nothing has obviously gone wrong yet. Trusting your instincts here matters, since a walker's reliability during a trial period is usually a fair predictor of how the arrangement will hold up over many months ahead. It is far easier to change walkers early, before a dog has bonded with someone unreliable, than to make a change later once a routine is well established.