Pop Quiz!
Do you love dogs?
- Yes!
- Eh, they’re okay.
- Gross, no!
Do you enjoy being outside?
- All the time.
- Sometimes, but not my favorite.
- No way, there are bugs out there!
Would you like to earn some extra cash?
- Duh, obviously!
- Couldn’t hurt.
- Nah, I don’t need more money.
Do you have 5-10 hours to spare each week?
- Sure!
- Well, I’m kind of busy.
- No way, I’m swamped.
If you answered mostly “A,” dog walking may be the perfect gig for you!
Whether you’re looking for a side gig or a gateway to a career in the pet care industry, a dog walking business is a great place to start. You can earn some extra money while you build your skills and get some exercise. Not to mention getting to hang out with dogs all day!
We’re here to help you learn how to become a paid dog walker, from the first steps to getting started to tips to help your business grow.
How to Become a Professional Dog Walker
Before you dive into building your dog walking business, it’s important to understand what to expect and how to prepare.
Who Can Be a Dog Walker?
One of the best things about the dog walking biz is that anybody can do it!
This job is a great starting point for teens looking for their first job or busy students who don’t have time for a full-time position.
Pet professionals — like dog groomers, trainers, and sitters — can easily add dog walking to their list of services. If you already work with animals, you have the experience it takes to manage multiple pets at once.
But, industry experience isn’t a requirement to be a dog walker. No matter your day job or responsibilities, dog walking is a great way to supplement your income and spend some time outdoors.
Gain Dog Walking Experience
While you don’t need job experience to become a dog walker, some know-how never hurts. First and foremost, you should have some background with dogs, either as a dog owner or caretaker.
Loving dogs is not the same as knowing how to work with them. You may need to manage several pups at once or handle special-needs pets, which can be overwhelming to somebody who isn’t familiar with dogs.
To build up your confidence with canines, try one or all of these suggestions:
- Volunteer at animal shelters. Shelters are always looking for people to help out. You can spend quality time walking, playing, and cuddling with lots of different dogs.
- Pet sit for friends and loved ones. Offer to help when a loved one needs somebody to watch their pets. This allows you to practice with dogs who already know and trust you before working with clients.
- Study dog breeds and behaviors. Take some time to research the differences between dog breeds to understand the various personalities you may face (we’re looking at you, Jack Russel Terriers).
- Do animal-adjacent odd jobs. Working in or around homes with pets can help you build your comfort level with new dogs. Try starting a small pooper scooper business or mowing lawns in your neighborhood.
Learning a few basics like how to safely greet a new dog or the best ways to manage reactive behavior through experience and research will prepare you to handle the challenges you may face as a dog walker.
Understand the Role of a Dog Walker
While the job may sound simple on the surface, there’s plenty of thought and work that goes into being a professional dog walker. Here are the main responsibilities of a dog walker:
- Services based on the dog’s needs: Some pets just need a quick stroll around the block to do their business, while others require a strenuous hike to burn off energy.
- Exercise and play: Be prepared to play a few rounds of fetch or take a run around the park to keep pups occupied and engaged.
- Safety and well-being: Watch for safety hazards like traffic, aggressive animals, or harmful substances. It’s your responsibility to keep dogs safe while they’re in your care.
- Feeding and hydration: You’ll need to provide water as needed, particularly on longer walks. Depending on your arrangements with the owner, you may also to feed pets before the job is done.
- Training reinforcement: Stick with pre-established basic training commands — sit, stay, heel, etc — to help maintain discipline and obedience.
- Communication: Talk to pet owners about their dogs’ behavior, health concerns, or any incidents during the walk.
- Handling multiple dogs: As you build up confidence and experience, you may want to walk more than one dog at a time. This requires close attention and management.
- Adhering to special instructions: Many pets have dietary needs, medication, or behavioral issues that owners will expect you to handle.
In addition to your job duties, you’ll need some key skills and abilities to be a successful dog walker, including:
- Physical fitness: Keeping up with active dogs comes with the job! You’ll be racking up the steps on your pedometer when you’re a dog walker.
- Patience with animals: The dogs you care for could be excited, scared, reactive, or some combination of all of these. As a pet pro, you need empathy and understanding for the animals in your care.
- Time management: Managing multiple clients and schedules can get hectic. Time management skills are a must when running a dog walking business.
If these responsibilities and skills sound like a walk in the park, you’re a perfect fit for the job!
Ensure the Safety and Well-Being of Dogs in Your Care
Caring for other people’s pets is a big responsibility. You need to keep the dog safe, healthy, and comfortable during their walk. Here are a few best practices to follow:
- Assess the dog’s health and behavior before their walk
- Check leashes, collars, and harnesses for weak points and secure connections
- Know your walking route
- Carry essentials, like water, poop bags, treats, and a first aid kit
You can also prepare for potential emergencies by completing a pet first aid course, like the Cat & Dog First Aid Online Training through the American Red Cross.
Finally, you’ll need to keep a close eye on the weather and environment. While you may need to walk your clients’ dogs rain or shine, some conditions can be dangerous.
If the pavement is too hot, it could burn their paws. If it’s below freezing, it could be too cold for dogs, and some dogs (especially smaller breeds) shouldn’t be outside for too long.
What Do You Need to Start a Dog Walking Business?
Now that you’re ready to get your dog walking operation up and running, it’s time to take care of the business side of things.
Choose a Name
Naming your business is an important step toward becoming a professional dog walker. Have fun with this part! Here are a few best practices for coming up with pet business name ideas and choosing a noteworthy name:
- Choose a name that’s easy to remember, don’t overcomplicate it.
- Double-check that it’s not already taken.
- Check if it’s available for social media accounts.
- Try making it personal by using your name or the name of your town.
If you’re not sure where to start, use a name generator or ChatGPT to help you brainstorm.
Register Your Dog Walking Business
Even if you’re only working part-time, it’s a good idea to make your business official.
First, you’ll need to choose a business structure. If you’re working solo, you can operate as a sole proprietorship. Depending on the size of your business, you may want to structure your dog walking business as a limited liability company, or LLC, which separates your personal assets from the business.
Once you select a structure, you can register your business with your state agency. While sole proprietors aren’t usually required to register, going through this process can give you liability protection as well as legal and tax benefits.
Some cities also require businesses to register, so check for any local business licensing requirements as well.
Get an EIN
Next, you’ll need an Employer Identification Number (EIN). This is like a social security number for your business, allowing you to file taxes separately from your personal income.
Open a Bank Account
A business bank account offers several benefits, even if you run a small dog walking operation. It allows you to keep your business funds separate from your personal finances, accept checks written to your business, and track transactions and income.
If you choose to accept digital payments for your services, you can also link them directly to your business bank account.
Get Dog Walker Insurance
Hanging out with dogs all day is fun, but accidents happen. If your client’s Boxer breaks a vase or their terrier picks a fight at the dog park, you could be left holding a hefty bill. As a caregiver, you can be held financially responsible if a client’s property is damaged or if their pet is injured.
Before you ever hit the pavement, protect your business with dog walker insurance.
Carrying dog walking insurance gives your business an added layer of protection from expenses like repairs, vet bills, and legal fees.
Tips for Starting a Dog Walking Business
Building a successful business means choosing the right pricing, effective promotion, and staying organized.
Decide How Much to Charge
Dog walkers have some real earning potential thanks to the growing market demand. On average, dog walkers can charge between $15 to $25 per half-hour walk. This can vary depending on your experience, where you live, the length of the walks, and how many pets you’re walking at once.
If you’re unsure how much you should charge for your services, research how much other dog walkers are charging in your area. You can also use a care cost calculator for an estimate of how much you should charge.
Promote Your Dog Walking Business
Spreading the word about your dog walking services is the best way to build your client list. You can promote your dog walking business in a variety of ways, most of which are inexpensive or free!
- Create a website. Build a website featuring contact info, online scheduling, and important info about your business.
- Use social media. Using your business name, create accounts on social media to build a list of followers, share pup pics, and post in local groups.
- Join dog walking apps. Partner with dog walking apps like Wag! and Rover to connect with clients and accumulate positive reviews.
- Network with pet pros. Drop into local veterinary offices and pet stores to introduce yourself and leave some business cards or flyers for their customers.
- Gather testimonials. Encourage satisfied customers to post positive reviews on social media and Google. Share these on your website, too!
- Ask for customer recommendations. Ask your clients to tell their friends about your services. Word of mouth is a powerful marketing tool!
Manage Your Operations Efficiently
Organization is key when you’re juggling multiple clients. When you’re getting started, you can track your appointments on your digital calendar and communicate with customers via phone or text.
As your business grows, you’ll need to upgrade your system. Apps like Time To Pet or DoTimely allow you to streamline scheduling, featuring calendar management and alerts. These options also include communication tools and location tracking, allowing you to easily update customers on their pets’ status.
Another benefit of using scheduling software is the ability to track important customer info, like pet preferences, medical needs, and client requests. As your client list grows, it can be difficult to remember details like these, but the right app can help you keep it all straight.
Ready, Set, Walk!
Hopefully, these best practices and tips have set you on the right course to learning how to become a self-employed dog walker. With a little experience and lots of motivation, you can walk your way right into a successful business.
