To Tip or Not to Tip. That is the Question

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

I recently hired a dog walker to come to the house and take Cubbie and Ollie on a 30 minute walk twice a week.  I was really just looking for someone to come and let them out in the middle of the day while I'm at work, but it was only a few bucks more to have them actually get a walk instead of just a quick trip to potty in the backyard. 

 

The woman I hired is the owner of a dog walking company and has a few employees but she is the one that actually walks C&O.  She is licensed with the town and is insured and knows pet CPR.  She charges me $22 per day to come and walk them.  She invoices me once every 2 weeks so that ends up being $88.  Here is my question: the invoice has a line that says "optional gratuity".  The last time I paid her, I did not include a tip.  I figure that she is the owner of the company so all money that I pay goes to her anyway, but then I started wondering if she would treat C&O any differently if I don't tip her.  I really don't think she would, but it was just a thought that crossed my mind. 

 

I sometimes feel like you now have to tip everyone that performs a service so I sometimes get frustrated but I want to do what is right.

 

I have to leave her a check tomorrow or Thursday so I am looking for advice.  Would you tip her and if so, how much?  I tried doing a search on this but only came up with tipping groomers and daycares.  Thanks for the help!

[Oliver & Elizabeth]

In a few weeks our new dog walker will be starting and I'm anxious to see how her invoice compares! If I get an obscure federal holiday surcharge DK will be the first to know.

By the way, after the last discussion I looked up tipping dog walkers to get some recommendations. Dogwalker.com (which I assume was created by dog walkers) stated that regulars should tip around the holidays and when additional services are preformed.

http://www.dogwalker.com/how-and-when-to-tip-the-dog-walker/

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This makes the most sense to me.

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

Thanks for posting that link.  I have it bookmarked now!

[Oliver & Elizabeth]

I really liked the link too, it's nice to know the tipping standards. I wouldn't want to be considered the stingy lady who never tips, but I'm not looking to be an over the top tipper either! I really like the gift card idea!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Yeah, that would definitely help me make my decision if I was still unsure about tipping or not. Karen's comments were priceless!