How To Start a Dog Walking Business

Are you looking for a fun, flexible part-time or full-time job?  Do you love dogs and enjoy being outdoors? If so, a dog walking business may be the perfect business for you.

More people own dogs than ever before. And these very same people are often willing to spend a great deal to make sure their dogs are happy. Their busy lifestyles prevent them from giving a dog what it often wants most – time outside. You can help.

What is a Dog Walking Business?

As a dog walker you simply take people’s dogs for a walk. You might group your clients by neighborhood and walk several dogs at once. Or you might schedule appointments and walk dogs individually throughout the day. You can charge based on a per dog fee, a per walk fee or a package rate.

You might also offer to do other things for your clients. They might include feeding the dog, pet sitting while they are away or taking the dog to the veterinarian.

What You Need To Get Started

You need very little to get started as a dog walker. You will want to have:

* A love for dogs
* A business plan
* A few extra leashes, pooper scooper
* Good walking shoes
* Marketing plan/materials

You can start a dog walking business for less than a hundred dollars. In fact, much of your marketing may be done via word of mouth. You may also want to post flyers around town.

However, before you start marketing your business make sure you have a business plan. What are your business goals? How much do you want to make each month? Each year? How many clients do you need to reach your goal? What are your rates? Who is your competition? Who are your ideal clients?

Spend some time researching other dog walking businesses. Once you’ve created your business plan, then go out and market your business to your ideal clients.

Tips for Marketing and Growing Your Business

Consider creating a website for your business. This will help people learn more about you. If you have a domain name in mind you can run a domain name search to find out if the domain is available for purchase. If the domain is already in use, you can also check to see who owns it and obtain their contact information to see if the owner may be willing to sell or transfer it to you.

Include an “About me” page on your website. This is important because people will have to trust you with their beloved pets. They want to know more about you. Also include a services page that lists what you offer and how much it costs.

Consider including a policies and procedures page along with FAQs. You might also want to have downloadable forms on your website. Clients will fill out the form so you have all the information you need. For example it asks for the name, breed and age of the dog. It might leave room for the client to document any special needs their dog has.

Publish a few articles or blog posts on your website as well. These can be articles you’ve written or have permission to reprint. They should be about the care and keeping of dogs. This information will be educational for your clients. It will also help boost your credibility as a care provider.

Make sure your dog walking website and business are listed with the local online search engines. For example, Google Places. Include your website on any marketing materials you print. Finally, consider asking local pet stores to display your brochure or flyer. Between your online efforts and a few strategic offline marketing efforts you’ll have a full dog walking schedule in no time.