How to Become a Professional Dog Walker
Walking dogs for a living is more than just clicking on a leash and getting some exercise together. You need to be a dog-lover who is in tune with the ways of dogs and ready to run a business. Yet, it can be a rewarding job for a dedicated person who is well-organized, professional and human and dog client-oriented.
Here are some suggestions on how to start your professional dog walking career:
1. Consider how big you want your dog walking career to be. Be realistic – you’ll probably need to start small, and allow yourself to grow. Do you want it to be a part-time or a full-time career? How much time can you devote to dog-walking? If you are young and want to make money by dog walking, make flyers and offer around your neighborhood.
For example, consider these scenarios:
- If you are a student who needs income during studies, you will have crunch times around exams and essay due dates but you will likely be fairly flexible during the rest of the time. Be honest with a potential client and explain your availability, including the possibility that there may be certain times when you will be very busy and may need to reschedule temporarily at such times. Always let them know you’ll make up for it during vacation etc.
- If you want to start a permanent business, consider whether it is something you want to work 9 – 5 (or extended hours) 5 – 7 days a week, or is it something that only interests you part-time, say 2 – 3 days a week of a few hours here and there? These are important considerations that will either expand or limit your options and availability. More hours means more clients and a likelihood of referrals. Less hours will mean more devotion to a small corps of clients and a need to make it clear to them that your availability is limited to them.
2. Be prepared for running a business. If you want a large business, are you prepared to manage employees and cover a larger part of the city than you could do alone? If you make your business large, you will need employees. You will need to:
- Get insurance and become bonded.
- Interview pet sitters, check them for reliability, train them and pay them.
- Be able to trust them to do their dog-walking according to your instructions.
- Keep good financial records, manage a payroll system, pay taxes on business income, and manage other worker’s requirements.
- Keep a tight leash (no pun intended) on the client arrangements. As owner of the business, you should make all arrangements for dog-walking directly with clients and then provide the instructions, keys etc. to your employees. That way, if things don’t work out with your dog-walker employee, you keep the client and substitute with a new employee.
3. Set the amount you want to charge. How you price your services will depend on the quality of your service and the length of time you have been dog-walking professionally. It will be difficult to charge higher amounts until word-of-mouth begins to boost your business and you have solid references.
- Research the field first. What are other dog-walkers charging in your area? Ask them if they are willing to divulge information to a potential competitor. Compete fairly with them – you could undercut slightly at first to get a toehold in the business. Don’t undercut viciously; after all, you want to stay in this industry, not be cold-shouldered by your fellow dog-walkers. If there is no one competing, then use the internet to get some idea of the costs for your region.
- Don’t under-charge or over-charge. Undercharging will lead some to think you are an amateur, perhaps even the local school kids looking for odd jobs. Charge a fair amount in return for good, reliable and professional services.
4. Print some stylish business cards. Make sure that they present a professional image and provide your contact details. Include a few short, pithy lines or words about what you offer as part of the dog-walking service.
For instance:
- Say where the dogs will be walked – for example, to the parks, on green grass, in quieter areas of the city – whatever you think dog-owners would appreciate and trust.
- Explain what you will do with the dogs to keep them entertained and well-exercised – for example, that you are prepared to run with the dogs for exercise, that you will play ball/tug rope/fetch with the dogs etc.
- The ways in which you will pay attention to nutritional and medical requirements of your canine charges.
5. Advertise. Pass around flyers or business cards to let people know about your business. Stop residents walking their dogs as you walk around, introduce yourself and offer your business card to them. Begin to network with family and friends regarding your business. Start small and let your good business spread by word-of-mouth. There is no harm in asking your first set of clients to refer you to their friends, colleagues etc. If they are happy with your work, many will be happy to do this.
