Swifto's Onboarding Process

 

Swifto’s hiring process is rigid and taken very seriously. Only 1% of applicants are hired and they are expected to uphold the values and responsibilities that being a Swifto dog walker and pet sitter entails. We pride ourselves on our high-quality care, reliability, and qualified and professional team members. To instill this message, our walkers and pet sitters undergo a comperhensive onboarding process. During this onboarding period, we work closely with them to equip them with the skills needed to be successful members of the Swifto team. This process varies by location, and may include some or all of the following activities.

 

 

Harnesses

dog walker
Our walkers must understand which types of equipment are most effective and why. This in-depth segment of onboarding is clearly communicated to team members. Our dog walkers receive hands-on practice by putting on and taking off different types of harnesses. This exposure equips them to confidently and appropriately handle a variety of harnesses, ensuring successful dog walks.
 

 

Online Coursedog walker

All our dog walkers are sent an online course on dog and cat behavior. Swifto firmly believes this information benefits both team members and the dogs and cats in their care. This information is reinforced because it will be applied in real-life dog-walking situations. The course is thorough and designed to test the dog walker’s knowledge and awareness of typical dog behavior and why or why not it is exhibited. The course covers everything from body language basics to dog socialization 101 as well as some cat specific courses. It consists of 24 mini-courses, each concluding with a short quiz to reinforce the material and ensure it is understood.
 

In Person Presentation

dog walker

This is a one-on-one presentation. The team member watches slides and engages with the Swifto instructor to fully comprehend the information. Key points, such as constantly updating the pet’s progress, taking photos, and reading all the owner’s provided information, are reinforced. Afterward, the team member learns the rules of apartment access and client property. We outline the different types of home access and how to manage them successfully, respectfully, and safely. We confirm the team member understands all aspects of pet care and the various methods involved. The one-on-one nature of this highlights the importance and prioritization of each pet’s safety and the serious commitment our dog walkers and pet sitters make. This part of onboarding equips each team member with the necessary knowledge before practicing real dog walks and cat visits.

 

 

 

Practice Walk/Visitdog walker

Our dog walkers and pet sitters will experience how a walk and/or visit works while fully applying their knowledge. This final step of onboarding is extremely important, as it demonstrates the kind of dog walker and pet sitter the team member will be. We address any questions or issues they may encounter during a walk or visit, giving them a glimpse of a typical day at Swifto.