Your dogs,
our family
Meet the Hearts behind our service
Your dogs, our family!
Meet the Hearts behind our service
About us
Welcome to Buster and Whiskers, Astoria and Long Island City's premier Dog Walking Service. Fully insured and staffed by Red Cross Pet First Aid Certified walkers, we specialize in safe and enriching Group Walks. Our Dog Handlers are extensively trained to ensure your dog enjoys a balanced mix of exercise, structure, and socialization.
Our Vision
At Buster and Whiskers, our mission is to provide exceptional dog walking services. We are dedicated to enhancing the well-being of dogs and providing peace of mind for their owners through our reliable and professional services.
About the owners
Igor
Igor brings a wealth of experience and passion for dog training to Buster and Whiskers. His journey began in Brazil, where he grew up breeding German Shepherds and Rottweilers. This early exposure ignited his lifelong commitment to canine behavior and training. In New York, Igor has continued his professional development, working with K9 units and training certified service dogs and emotional support animals. As an evaluator for the American Kennel Club and a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, Igor is dedicated to providing tailored training solutions that address the unique needs of each dog. His approach focuses on practical obedience and effective behavioral solutions, ensuring that every dog he works with becomes a well-balanced and happy companion.
About the owners
Jennifer
Jennifer’s love for animals started at a young age, growing up with pugs and Boston Terriers in New York. She pursued her passion academically, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science from Cornell University. Her professional experience is extensive, including over five years working in a veterinary office and volunteering at a farm animal sanctuary. At the sanctuary, Jennifer cared for abused and neglected farm animals, deepening her commitment to animal welfare. Her diverse background in animal care and her scientific training enable Jennifer to bring a compassionate and knowledgeable approach to Buster and Whiskers. She is dedicated to ensuring that every pet receives the best care possible and thrives under her team’s expert guidance.
About the owners
Igor
Igor's fascination with Animal Behavior began at a young age, when he was breeding and raising German Shepherds and Rottweilers during his childhood in Brazil. He has trained Canine Units with the Police Department in Brazil and has trained Certified Service Dogs and Emotional Support Animals here in New York. He is currently an evaluator for the Canine Good Citizen Test through the American Kennel Club and is a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers. He trains and socializes dogs with a variety of needs, from puppies requiring basic obedience training, to dogs with more complicated behavioral issues.
Jennifer
Jennifer was born and raised in New York and grew up with pugs and Boston Terriers. She graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science. Her extensive experience with animals includes working in a Veterinarian's Office for over 5 years. She also volunteered on a Farm Animal Sanctuary, where she cared for abused, abandoned, and neglected farm animals.
Do you have questions?
We have answers for frequently asked questions
Our Group Socialization Walks involve walking a group of dogs together to improve their social skills, impulse control, and leash manners. These walks help dogs become more comfortable in urban environments and teach them to cooperate with other dogs and humans. We tailor groups based on energy levels, age, size, and temperament to ensure a safe and enriching experience for all participants (B&W – Dog Walker Astoria) (LocalPetCare).
Most dogs show positive changes within a week of starting our walks, with significant improvements typically seen after 3 months of consistent participation. Sustained improvements can take 4-8 months or longer, depending on factors like the dog’s starting skill level, motivation, and age (B&W – Dog Walker Astoria).
A commitment to daily walks from Monday to Friday is required to ensure consistency and steady progress in your dog’s behavior. Walks are prepaid and non-refundable to secure your spot in our program (B&W – Dog Walker Astoria) (B&W – Dog Walker Astoria).
During a Meet and Greet, we assess your dog’s walking skills and behavior with a quick 5-minute walk without the owner present. This is followed by a discussion about the onboarding process and your dog’s specific needs to ensure a good fit for our group walks (B&W – Dog Walker Astoria) (LocalPetCare).
Walks scheduled as part of our Monthly Package are non-refundable and cannot be switched to different days. We ask for at least two weeks’ notice if you decide not to renew the package for the next month. Cancellation fees are waived only for Federal Holidays or with sufficient notice for vacations after two months of walking with us (B&W – Dog Walker Astoria) (B&W – Dog Walker Astoria).
The Monthly Package must be prepaid before the first date of service. Walks are scheduled consecutively from Monday to Friday and are non-refundable. Cancellation fees are waived for Federal Holidays or with at least two weeks’ notice for vacations after two months of walking with us (B&W – Dog Walker Astoria).
If your dog has significant behavioral issues, we recommend scheduling one-on-one sessions with a Balanced Trainer first. This approach can provide focused training to address specific problems before joining our Group Walks (B&W – Dog Walker Astoria) (LocalPetCare).
We do not offer sporadic or non-recurrent walks. Our services require a commitment to recurrent walks with a minimum of three walks per week to maintain consistency and availability for all clients (B&W – Dog Walker Astoria) (LocalPetCare).
We require dogs to use a backup safety clip during walks. Harnesses and retractable leashes are not allowed for safety reasons. We will assess your dog’s walking gear during the Meet and Greet and may recommend changes if needed (B&W – Dog Walker Astoria) (B&W – Dog Walker Astoria).
To get started, schedule a Meet and Greet by confirming a date and time. Provide two copies of your keys if you won’t be home for the first walk. After the Meet and Greet, you’ll need to fill out the Client Agreement, set up the online portal, and upload your dog’s vaccination certificates. Once this is complete, we will schedule your dog’s walks and send you the first invoice (B&W – Dog Walker Astoria) (B&W – Dog Walker Astoria) (LocalPetCare).
