How to Start A Dog Walking Business in 12 Steps?

More than 67% of households own a dog which means there is a huge market for dog walkers. So if you’re looking for an easy way to start a side hustle, then dog walking might be just what you’ve been searching for.

There are lots of people who own dogs but don’t have enough time to take them out for walks. That is why there is a huge need for dog walkers.

The first quality you need for your dog walking business is your love for pets. You must be a true lover of pets if you want to make money in this business. It’s a very lucrative business.

You can run it all alone on a small-scale operation. Alternatively, you can hire employees below you for a larger-scaled operation.

A dog walking business is a simple business based upon trust and companionship. If you can earn the trust of the pet owner and love the pets, you will get good results from the dog walking business.

12 Steps to Start a Profitable Dog Walking Business

There are several important steps to take when starting a successful dog walking service.

1. Find Your Location for Dog Walking

Decide where you’re going to set up your business. You’ll probably find that if you put it somewhere near a park or green space, people will be more likely to stop by.

And if you offer a doggie-walking service too, then you’ll definitely need an area with lots of grass around.

2. Understand the Local Dog Walking Market

Research the demographics of the area. How much dog ownership is present? What is the average household size? Do they own pets?

These questions can help determine the number of potential clients. Knowing the answers to these questions will allow you to plan accordingly.

Researching the various breeds of dogs and exploring the gaps that exist in current markets would be an important part of any business plan.

3. Create a Dog Walking Business Plan

A well-organized business plan will help your business be more organized and structured. You need to include important points like:

What name would you give your dog-walking business?
Investment Needed for Business
Source of Funds
Legal Formalities
Equipment/Accessories Needed
Expense Heads
How will you work?
What will be your fees?
Marketing and Publicity Plans
How to Grow your Business

If you need help writing up a business plan, you should definitely get professional assistance. It should be detailed and well-researched.

4. Name Your Business

Choose a good business name. Make sure it’s relevant to your service, and choose one that’s easy to remember. Ask everyone you know for their opinion, and then decide which one suits you best.

You must make sure that the website address is easy to remember and type into a browser. A good website should be user-friendly. Make sure that the font size is large enough so that people can read it easily.

Read more about naming your business here.

5. Register Your Business

Once you’ve named your dog walking company, you’ll need to get legal. In the US, you have four main choices: partnership, proprietorship, corporation, or limited liability company (LLC).

Choose whichever suits your needs best. But if you’re based out of the US, consider getting an LLC instead of a corporation because corporations require much more paperwork and filing fees.

You also need to pay the necessary taxes applicable to the type of business you’re running. To do so, you must obtain an EIN or employer’s Identification number.

You may form an LLC yourself or pay for help from a professional business formation service provider.

6. Get the Necessary License and Permits

Obtaining the necessary permits and licensing from the government is essential, as they will help you avoid any legal issues.

7. Open a Business Bank Account

Next, create an account at a bank where you can deposit any money earned from dog walking jobs. Get a small credit card for use in your dog walking job.

8. Buy Business Insurance

Insuring your dog walking business against risks helps ensure its success. A general liability insurance policy protects your business from losses due to accidents or injuries caused by third parties.

The general liability insurance policy as a dog walker protects you from two things. First, you will be covered for any incidental injuries caused by the dog. Second, if the dog causes any damage to the property, the insurance company will cover the cost.

If you’re going to hire employees, you need Workers’ Comp insurance.

9. Equipment & Expense Needed for Dog Walking Business

You will require several different items for your dog-walking business. Some are essential, whereas others will help distinguish you from the competition. To summarize, here are the essentials:

Good Quality Leashes
Biodegradable waste bags for pooping dogs
Good and attractive Chew Toys
Balls and other toys
Chew Treats
Water and Water Dish
First Aid Box
Dog Whistle
Waterproof and Reflective Jackets and Hats for you

Apart from the equipment and any costs associated with the business itself, you’ll also need to pay for taxes, insurance, licenses, salaries, transportation, websites, marketing, and promotion.

The total cost of running a dog walking business will range from $7000-$8000.

10. Find Your Prospective Clients

This is quite simple – people who own pets are your customers. You must keep an eye on how much they can afford to spend. Most homes have pets. So you should expect to get plenty of customers.

11. How Much Profit Can You Make in Dog Walking Business?

The normal rates are around $18-$20 for a 30-minute stroll, and between $25-$28 for an hour‘s stroll. For early morning or evening strolls, you may get charged an additional $3-$5. If you can take four or five canine pets daily for five days weekly, or one-hour strolls, then you could make $20-$40,000 annually. If you employ workers, your earnings increase because of the number.

If you want to earn more, you can offer a dog running service which provides you with higher fees.

12. How to Earn More Profits in Dog Walking Business?

This is the target for any kind of company. To earn more profits, expand your dog walking service, and gradually increase its size, you must do several things. We shall discuss them.

a) Value Addition

There are several ways you can add value to your business. First, train yourself in dog walking. Training gives you credibility.

Second, add extra services like dog running, boarding, or sitting as and when needed. These additional services will be charged separately from the basic service.

Finally, give them some good food occasionally or provide a free veterinary exam once in a while.

c) Build an online presence

To create an effective website for your dog walking business, use images of different types of dogs. You can offer online payments and bookings too.

Find out how to create a website and make money online.

c) Social Media

Use social networks like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc., to promote your dog walking business. This will help get your business out there.

d) Advertisement and Publicity

If you want to advertise your dog walking business, spend money on ads in local newspapers, television, radio, etc., and also use advertisements, posters, and hoarding at prominent places.

f) Make good customer relations

As you would with any new client, you must be friendly with the dog’s owner. You want to establish trust so that they refer you to others.

f) Personal Campaign

Door-to-door campaigns, as well as public relations, are very important. You can do it yourself or hire marketers. Visit the homes of people and talk to them about your dog walking business.

This works much better than advertising because personal contact works better than ads for many.

g) Offer Discounts

Offer discount prices for a monthly subscription. And offer special deals during festivals.

i) Develop and maintain key contacts with suppliers in your dog-walking business

Keep in contact with important people like vets, vet clinics, bakers, pet shops, etc. They’re important for your business. Let them know that. This will help them feel comfortable working with you.

Here are some key things to keep in mind when starting your dog-walking business. They’re not just for beginners; they’re for everyone!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Job of A Dog Walker?

Most people do not comprehend the significance of an animal groomer. The principal function of an Animal Groomer basically is to get your pet out for grooming at a particular time and route.

It might be directed and specified by your customer. Throughout the grooming sessions, you should give your animals nourishment and water. In addition, you ought to eliminate the waste of your canine.

Keep an eye out for anything unusual when walking the pets. Report any abnormalities to the pet owner. If you see any emergencies, take the animal to the veterinarian immediately.

Apart from all of these things, you need to develop a strong bond with the dog. This too is a big responsibility.

Is a Dog Walking Business Profitable?

It may be profitable for dog owners to hire someone to walk their dogs. However, the rate depends on the size of your operation. For example, if you want to pay $10 per hour, then you need to walk at least two hours every day.

If you can do 6 half-hour daily walking sessions, or 3 one-hour sessions per day, you can earn between £20,000 and £40,000 annually. After deductions, you’ll receive a profit of around 60%, which is not bad at all.

Before starting your dog walking business, you must take some important steps. These will ensure fast results.