Why not All Wedding Dog Attendants Are Created Equal (and What to Ask Before You Hire)

If you’ve ever dreamed of including your dog in your wedding, you’ve probably come across someone offering “wedding dog attendant” or “wedding dog chaperone” services. It’s a beautiful idea, but in the last year, I’ve seen a wave of new providers pop up offering it as a quick add-on or side hustle. And here’s the thing: while it might sound simple (“just hold a leash and keep the dog nearby”), what we do at Black Dog Weddings is so much more. This work is about understanding the rhythm of a wedding day, observing and managing your pup’s behaviour and comfort all while working seamlessly alongside planners, photographers, and venue staff. It’s equal parts art, logistics, and deep empathy.

Black Dog Weddings wedding dog attendant Ash sits with client pup Nova minutes ahead of ceremony giving her a pup-talk and allowing Nova some time to calm and settle before her big moment at her pawrents wedding ceremony.
Photography Credit: Blackwood Photography

When couples are looking to hire a wedding dog attendant, I encourage them to approach it the same way they would any other professional wedding vendor - with curiousity, intention, and a good dose of due diligence! Ask the right questions, here is a list of questions I’ve been asked in the past and have answered in our brochures and review frequently with couples on discovery calls:

How long have you been providing wedding dog attendant services?
What types of weddings and venues have you worked at before?
How do you make sure dogs feel comfortable in new and potentially busy environments?
What’s included in your wedding dog attendant packages?
Do you offer transportation to and from the venue?
Can you help with wedding day photos or walking the dog down the aisle?
Are you insured and trained in pet first aid/CPR?
How do you handle dogs that may be anxious or reactive in crowds or around noise?
How do you ensure my dog stays hydrated and calm throughout the day?
What’s your plan if there’s extreme weather (heat, rain, cold)?
Do you bring your own supplies (leashes, water, waste bags, treats), or should I provide those?
How do you coordinate with the wedding planner or photographer?
Can you attend a rehearsal or site visit before the wedding day?
How far in advance should I book your services?
How much time do you usually spend with the dog on the day of the wedding?
Do you have a backup plan if something unexpected happens (illness, emergency)?
Do you require a meet-and-greet before the wedding day?
How do you tailor your approach to my dog’s personality, age, and comfort level?
How do you handle feeding schedules, medications, or mobility/medical needs?
Can you accommodate more than one dog? Can you provide additional care to a family dog not involved in the wedding day?
What happens after the wedding? Can you drop my dog off at home, or a kennel?
What’s your pricing structure, and what do your packages include?
Do you charge extra for travel, rehearsals, or additional dogs?
How far in advance do you require payment or a deposit?
What is your cancellation or rescheduling policy?
How do you keep me updated and communicate with me and my partner leading up to and during the wedding day?

As you can see with these thoughtful questions - Experience matters here. At Black Dog Weddings, we’ve spent six years refining what this work truly looks like. We train extensively before wedding season even begins - reviewing safety protocols, communication strategies, and ways to collaborate with other vendors for those perfect, calm photo moments and walking through venues to understand where dogs can and can’t be present. The flow of a wedding day might be a little similar and standard but I can assure you every single wedding is different, and so is every dog. The best attendants don’t just show up to hold a leash; they create timelines, anticipate the unexpected, and advocate for your pup with both compassion and confidence. There’s a lot of prep work that goes into the lead up of a wedding day in addition to the big day itself.

Unfortunately, in recent history, I’ve heard too many stories of venues and couples (and their pups!) having negative experiences with people who called themselves “wedding dog attendants” but weren’t prepared for the pace or expectations of a wedding day. It breaks my heart because I’ve spent years building trust with Ontario venues, advocating and proving that dogs can be part of weddings safely and seamlessly. One bad experience can undo so much progress. This is why it’s crucial that couples do their homework and invest in trained, experienced professionals…people who know this is more than cute, it’s a responsibility to be taken seriously.

If you’re someone looking to enter this industry, I want to help you do it right. I offer one-on-one coaching for aspiring wedding dog attendants who want to build real, sustainable businesses with heart and intention. You can reach out through my inquiry page or DM me directly - I’d be honoured to help guide you, I’ve included my coaching brochure below for your review. And if you’re a couple planning your wedding, remember: your dog deserves the same level of care and professionalism as every other part of your big day. Let’s make sure they’re in the best hands possible.

Give your pups some belly rubs from me.

Cheers,

Ash

P.S. Interested in becoming a professional wedding dog attendant? Let’s connect. Coaching spots are open now!