How to Start a Dog Walking Business

Background of The Dog Walking Business:

Starting a dog walking business can be a fun way of getting out and enjoying nature with man's best friend. A normal day consists of arriving at other people's homes and taking their dog(s) for walks.

You may take them to a park to play for awhile. After returning the dogs to their homes you may pick up another dog or group of dogs from another home, development or town. Keep in mind that you will need to pick up after them as you go.

Dog Walking Business Considerations:

There are a couple things to consider before starting a dog walking service. First, think about your ability to handle dogs. Some people have a strong fear of dogs and cannot walk even small dogs. Also, consider walking several dogs at a time.

If the dogs are friendly and can be walked with other at the same time you can maximize your earnings.

Also, consider extra services such as dog sitting, grooming or training to give you a larger scope of work. You may also want to consider buying a franchise. This will give you name recognition but can cost up front money.

Tasks, Skills, and Issues, Needed To Run This Business:

Whether you do all the work yourself, hire, or subcontract, here's a list of tasks, skills, and issues that need attention:

Keeping track of invoices to dog owners
Scheduling walks and routes
Advertising/marketing
Interview the owners about dogs
Walk dogs according to schedule
Cleanup after dogs
Money managementProblem solving skills

Approximate Daily Hours Needed:

General Hours of Operation: You can determine the hours that you wish to work with the owners of the dog when you are deciding your routine. They may have an idea in mind for when they want you to walk the dog and you can adjust your schedule around the dog walking.

Also plan a few minutes to prepare, schedule, dress appropriately for weather, gather treats and extra equipment, and do billing.

Licenses:

In addition, to a Business License, you will need a Federal Employee Identification Number (EIN), insurance and possibly incorporation paperwork such as an LLC.

Approximate Minimum Start up Cost:

The average startup cost is minimal, $100 to $200 USD. This may vary since all you need is a good pair of walking shoes and an extra leash.

Necessary Equipment To Run A Dog Walking Business:

Good pair of walking shoes
Extra leashes and collars
Bags for dog waste
Water containers
Office Supplies (computer, printer, etc.)
Dog treats and toys

Monthly Expenses To Consider:

New leashes
New waste bags
New Shoes
Permits
Advertising/Marketing
Water

Special Requirements and Considerations A Dog Walking Business:

You should have a service contract that includes the name and address of the home you will be working in as well as your name to show it is an agreement between yourself and the homeowner. This allows you to be in the home. It should then lay out what you will be doing there.
Some of your business policies should include liability issues such as damage, aggression, illnesses, accidents, etc. You should also list your cancellation policy, payment policy, etc.
A dog information sheet should be filled out and have all the dog's information such as breed, color, microchip number, shot record, birthday, etc. Then it will ask questions about how the client wants you to take care of the dog. This sheet should be pre-filled with all the questions so you will not forget to ask the client any important questions.
Make sure to obtain a veterinarian release. This is used to allow you to take the dog to the vet without baring the responsibility of the payment. It will list who the dog's normal vet is and gives permission to take to another vet if necessary.
Dog walkers take pooches out for their daily constitutional one or more times a day, either individually or in small groups. In some cities across the United States, like New York, dog walking alone can be a booming business. But it's actually more common for dog walkers to offer additional services, including playing with and feeding pets, bringing in newspapers and mail, and turning lights on and off.
You may also want to get insurance. The one-stop shop for dog walking insurance is Pet Sitters Associates. For $174 a year they will insure you, the dogs, your employees and your client's home and property. For $14.50 a month it is the best deal around.

Type of Customers You Need to Attract:

Your customers will include people in your area who are ill or going on vacation, traveling businesspeople, and those who work all day.

Dog Walking Statistics:

At this time both pet sitting and dog walking are still in their infancy as recognized professions. There are an estimated 78.2 million dogs owned in the US. According to an industry expert, only 3 percent of households nationally use a pet sitter or dog walker. Even so, that adds up to 50 million to 60 million visits annually, according to the same source--and that number is on the rise.

In fact, the outlook for pet sitters and dog walkers has never been better. Some estimates put the number of bonded and insured pet-sitter businesses nationwide at 10,000 (regrettably, there are no stats on the number of dog walkers).

Dog Walking Revenues:

One of the best ways to gauge pricing in your areas is to investigate what other dog walkers/pet sitters are charging in your area. Check your local papers for ads and go ahead and give the person a call. Check the internet. Classified websites such as Craigslist.com usually has local dog walker ads with the prices included.

Lindsey Stordahl, a professional dog walker states: "I charge $20 to walk or run a dog for an hour in Fargo and $15 for a half-hour walk or run.

Dog runners in other cities are able to charge as much as $50 for a half-hour. On the other hand, there are students in Fargo who charge $5 for a half-hour walk. I know my service is worth more than this. If someone is not willing to pay me $15 to run her dog for a half-hour, then she doesn't appreciate my value and is not worth my time. I am an experienced dog trainer and athlete and people are getting the best possible service in Fargo when they hire me as a dog runner. My clients know that."

Sample:

8 visits x $16/visit = $128/day

$128/day x 5 days/week = $640/week

$640 x 50 weeks (two weeks off for good behavior!) = $32,000/year

Keep in mind that in some cases you may be able to walk several dogs at a time. This will multiply your earnings.

Dog Walking Resources:

Industry-Specific Websites:

Pet Business Central

Dog Community

Courses:

DogZanny Walker's Kit

That Mutt

Forums:

I-Love-Dogs

Dog-Channel

Dog Forum

Dog Lover Forum

Businesses To Related to a Dog-Walking Business:

Pet grooming
Pet sitting
Veterinary practice