Starting a Dog Walking Business
What you need to know about starting your own dog walking service
Starting a dog walking business can be a fun and rewarding way of making money from home. Pet care services are a growing industry. You can enjoy the many benefits of
running your own small business within this profitable industry. Little special experience and education is required and your
start up costs are minimal. You do need to genuinely like dogs and be enthusiastic about physical exercise. Here are some practical tips and ideas for starting a successful dog walking service.
What do I need to plan and prepare?
- Research, Before starting a dog walking business do some initial research to find out the need for dog walking services in your area. Talk to
residents, pet stores, local vets etc and try to determine if there is a market for your business.
- Your daily walks and routes.You will have to plan where you can best walk the dogs. Work out some good routes and
measure distances so that you can tell clients the length of your walk. Usually a half hour dog walk is considered adequate. To avoid the difficulties of transporting the dogs it is
best to work out routes around the areas your clients live.
- Scheduling your time. Dog walking is fun but there are a number of responsibilities that come with it. You
must ensure that the times you commit to with clients are realistic and manageable.
- Licensing, insurance and regulations. Do you need a license
for starting a dog walking business in your state or city? How do you buy dog walking insurance? What local by-laws apply to walking dogs in your area? Go to Dog walking insurance and licenses to find out more.
- Your dog walking fees. Set the amount you want to charge. Typically one dog walk takes no more than a half hour.
Work out your rates per half hour and your rates for solo and group dog walks. Go to Dog walking fees to find out how to price your dog walking services.
- Types of dog walking services to offer. When starting a dog walking business you should decide what your service will consist of. How many dogs will you walk at one time? Will you offer private or group walks?
How many dogs can you walk in one day. Do you want to walk 7 days a week or 5 or less days a week. You need to consider your availability
and commitments. More hours means more clients and more money but you need to be realistic about the hours you can put in. It is always advisable to start small and allow for growth.
- Client agreements. Organize a dog walking agreement. You need to make sure that you and the client
are in agreement about what is expected. It is also important to cover yourself and make sure that the dog owner has signed a form that
states they are responsible for providing the required vaccinations. Ensure you have a comprehensive contact form for each client that
includes all necessary information about their dogs and emergency contact numbers. Cover yourself for any damage or
injury the dog causes on or off the owner's property with dog walking insurance.
How do I advertise my dog walking business?
There are a number of different options for promoting your dog walking service and getting dog walking jobs. It depends on your budget, location and
the types of dog walking services you offer. Go to Getting Dog Walking Jobs for practical advice and ideas about how to advertise your dog walking business.
How do I learn more about dogs?
- Get relevant books out of the library. The better informed you are the more likely your dog walking business will
succeed. Find out as much as you can about dog care and handling form relevant books. You need to know which breeds might be compatible if you are offering group walks. Find out what you can about dog health and safety
such as how to handle a dog in heat. What do you do if a dog suddenly becomes aggressive? Read up and be well informed. This will not only
help you with your small business but will also impress clients and reassure them that you are capable of
looking after their beloved pets.
- Research online. There are a huge number of pet care sites that offer free advice and information on
caring for and managing dogs. Do your research and learn what you can from these free resources. Find out the best way to poop scoop and the best equipment to use
for your dog walking business.
- Speak to your local vet. Make a list of any questions you have and ask your local vet. Establishing a good relationship with your local
veterinary practice is a good idea when starting a dog walking business as they can also be a potential source of dog walking jobs. Learn some basic dog first aid. Your local vet can
provide you with some training but expect to pay for this. In addition ask your local clinic about dealing with a dog bite. This may never be necessary but it is far
better to be prepared.
- Get some experience. A number of dog walkers volunteer to walk dogs at animal shelters or dog rescue centers to get some experience
before starting a dog walking business. This will provide experience with handling a variety of different dogs. Often these dogs provide a real challenge and will give you the confidence and credibility
to go out and start getting paid dog walking jobs. Another advantage is that dog rescue and dog shelter workers can provide very helpful support
and advice when you are learning about dog management and care.
Start a dog walking service and set off on the road to success!
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