This post has been expanded into an ebook on how to start a dog running or dog walking business.
I quit my job as a newspaper copy editor and page designer last year to start a dog running business.
I now have time to walk and train my mutt Ace as often as I want. My “jobs” consist of Fargo pet sitting, dog walking, dog running, dog training, pet photography and dog daycare. From time to time I foster dogs. I also write, edit and do Internet marketing in Fargo.
Quitting my job at The Forum newspaper was one of the best decisions I’ve made.
Here are just a few of the reasons why I’m glad I quit my job to start a dog walking business:
1. I’m doing things I love.
2. I have more freedom.
3. I’m not wasting my life away at a desk.
4. I am never bored.
5. I hang out with dogs.
6. I take vacation whenever I want.
7. I don’t have to ask permission for anything.
8. I haven’t been sick in more than 17 months.
9. No one tells me what to do.
10. I’m not helping someone else get rich.
I could go on and on about why you should quit your job (you probably should), but I intended this post to be about how to start a pet-related business. Since my business is primarily dog walking and dog running, that’s the example I will use. I will use dog walking and dog running interchangeably throughout this post.
Anyone can start a dog walking business. There’s no secret on how to do it. I’m here to make it even easier.
How to start a dog walking business:
1. Don’t worry about money.
If money is your primary concern, then you shouldn’t start any kind of business.
If you do start a dog walking business, there will be people who will make comments like, “Is that really a good idea?” or even flat out, “How much money do you make?”
Unfortunately, others will judge your success based on your salary and not by your happiness. Don’t fall into their trap. Expect people to take their insecurities out on you, because they will. Most of them won’t even realize they are doing it.
When I quit my job, not all of my friends and family members supported my choice. Most of them voiced no opinion at all, seemingly hoping I would forget about the idea and get a “real job.” I was lucky to have a very supportive boyfriend who was basically begging me to quit the job that I hated. Thanks, Josh!
I would have been laid off by now had I stayed at The Forum newspaper. Instead, I got out of there on my own and now I’m doing something better. Think of it this way, what would you do if you were “laid off” today? Might as well get started on your dog walking business plan.
2. What should I charge for dog running?
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.
3. Start walking shelter dogs.
I began volunteering to walk dogs with 4 Luv of Dog Rescue in Fargo long before I started a dog walking business. This gave me extra experience walking and running the strongest, worst-behaved labs, German shepherds, pitbulls and mixed-breeds you can imagine. I also had support from the rescue volunteers. Dog rescue and dog shelter workers and volunteers are the most hardworking, passionate people out there. I need them on my side.
4. Find one person who believes your dog walking service is valuable.
If one person thinks you’re the greatest, they will tell others. This will give you confidence, and at least you will be getting paid for something you love. Starting out small will give you a sense of whether or not this is something you truly want to do.
I found a couple people in my apartment complex who were in need of a dog walker. These neighbors of mine worked 12-hour shifts and were leaving their dogs home without a bathroom break. When they saw my fliers, they were thrilled I could walk their dogs for them. I didn’t even have to quit my job. Sometimes I walked these dogs on my days off. Sometimes it was before work. Sometimes it was on my break.
5. Believe you are an authority on dogs.
It takes more than an animal lover to be a dog runner. I have lived with sporting breeds my whole life, and I worked at a boarding kennel throughout high school and college. I took my golden retriever through formal obedience training and trained my out of control mutt into a decent pet. I consider myself an expert on dog behavior. That’s why I started this dog blog.
Now that I run dogs, people trust that I am knowledgeable about dogs’ needs. I don’t let the dogs run out in front. They are always at my side. I work on basic obedience and manners, but most of all I give the dogs a good mental and physical workout. I know how to control large dogs that pull, jump or want to attack other dogs. I’m comfortable running with two or three dogs, but I also know and admit my limits.
6. Advertise your dog walking business.
I did some advertising that worked and some that didn’t. The best advertising is word of mouth and getting support from local rescues and dog businesses and town. I hang fliers at the dog park and at a few businesses like our training club. I drop off brochures and business cards at certain veterinarians’ offices and grooming shops in town. These are mostly to catch a few new clients here and there. The best advertising is word of mouth.
Don’t waste your time on newspaper ads. They are overpriced, and people don’t read the paper. I bought a few one-inch by one-inch classified ads to run every day with a small photo for $140 a month. I got very little return from these ads. Instead, it’s worth it to set up some free Craigslist ads. My Craigslist ads are very simple and redirect people to my web site. I’ve had a lot of success through Craigslist without spending any money.
7. Create a dog walking web site.
You need a dog walking web site to be taken seriously as a dog walker. For a couple bucks and less than an hour, you can set up a Wordpress blog template and turn it into a basic web site. There are plenty of computer nerds willing to help if you ask.
Put some photos and information about yourself on your site. Be honest and personal. Don’t hide behind words like “we” or “our company.” This won’t impress anyone. If you’re the only one involved in the business, then say so. Here is my dog running web site. There are plenty other good dog walking web sites out there such as RunningThePack.com and PoochPacers.com.
8. Don’t worry about taxes right away.
The IRS is not going to kidnap your first born for not reporting the $100 you made during your first month of dog walking. Just chill out about taxes and wait until you have a substantial amount of money coming in. If you need help, find a professional in your area who can answer all your tax questions.
9. Get some pet sitting insurance once you have a few clients.
There are several companies out there that offer insurance for dog walkers and pet sitters. Don’t worry about insurance immediately, but do so once you have a handful of clients. Insurance is very affordable and runs around $100 per year. It’s worth having in case a pet causes bodily injury or property damage while under your care.
10. Create a liability form for your dog walking business.
I will not run someone’s dog until they have signed my liability form that states the owner is responsible for providing ID tags and vaccinations. The owner is also responsible for any damage the pet causes on or off his or her property. I also gain permission to take the animal to a vet if necessary.
11. Create a good contact form.
All of my clients fill out a form that includes information about their dogs such as allergies, aggression issues, old injuries, medications and emergency contacts.
12. Create a business card and logo for your dog walking business.
I hired a graphic and web designer to design my logo and dog walking business cards. Then I printed my cards at Kinkos. This was convenient, but you can also have cards printed with online companies for a quarter of the price. I designed and printed my own brochures, but I recommend paying a designer to do that as well.
13. Outlast your competition.
Most people who start a dog running business will give up within a month. The rest will give up after six months. It takes a lot of time and work to gain enough clients to feel and be successful. The job itself is hard work. Those who can maintain a successful dog running business are the people who give 100 percent and truly believe in what they are doing. Whoever works the hardest will gain the most clients and be successful.
14. Admit if you are athletic or not.
I never thought of myself as an athlete, but I am. I swam butterfly and freestyle sprints in high school. I played rugby for eight years. In college, I began running six days a week and later started running half marathons.
I am not a fast runner. My average pace is about a 9 1/2-minute mile. But what I can do is run forever. I am the toughest person I know. I run outside when it’s –20 degrees or colder. I run when it’s 90 degrees and humid. I run in the snow, the rain and the wind. I run when I’m in pain.
There’s nothing wrong with sticking to strictly dog walking, but it’s a lot better for your business if you can offer dog running. Can you run 10 miles without stopping? Can you handle 30 miles in a week? 50 miles? Have you been running for at least a few years?
15. Offer many services, and be creative. This is your dog walking business.
Be flexible and think about the variety of services you can offer and what you’d like to offer. You can always make changes later on.
I offer pet sitting where I visit pets in people’s homes. I allow dogs to stay in my home overnight or for dog daycare in Fargo when it works with my schedule. In addition to dog walking and dog running, I simply let dogs out to go to the bathroom when their owners can’t make it home from work.
There is so much more I could say about starting a dog walking or dog running business. My best advice is don’t copy everything I’ve said or everything someone else did. Use your own ideas and creativity. And don’t skimp on running shoes.
Good luck with starting your own dog walking business!
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June 8th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
Lindsay,
I love the depth of your post here. Would be interested to learn about your advertising, what worked and didn’t. Can you describe the details of your advertising?
June 8th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Quitting my job and working for myself in my own dog training business was the best decision I ever made as well. I’m glad you’re having so much fun.
June 9th, 2009 at 7:07 am
All I do for advertising is hang up fliers and hand out business cards and brochures. Other than that I have a web site that ranks high for Google terms like Fargo dog runner or Fargo dog walker. Craigslist also works well.
Thanks, Ty! I’m glad you’re having fun as well!
June 9th, 2009 at 7:43 am
Great post and good for you! I worked for myself for almost a year and really enjoyed it. One day, I will do it again!
June 9th, 2009 at 7:54 am
What did you do when you worked for yourself?
June 9th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
What a great blog. It has given me the inspiration to do this myself with my partner. Well done and keep walking and keeping all those dogs happy. Just want to ask you if I may, i’m finding it hard to set up my blog properly, have you any ideas to make this a bit more easier?.
June 9th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Well, I see you’re using Blogspot. I have a few Blogspot sites, but I don’t do a whole lot with them, so I am not the one to ask. For my dog walking site http://www.runthatmutt.com, I just bought the domain name for a few dollars and then used a free Wordpress blog template on it. If you want to use Blogspot, I’d just find a site on there you admire and ask that person what they did.
Here are a couple Blogspot dog walking sites:
diary-of-a-dog-walker.blogspot.com
allaboutpawsdogwalking.blogspot.com
Good luck with your dog walking business!!
June 9th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Lindsay,
What do you do if you get sick? Who walks the dogs for you?
June 9th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Good question. That is when it is a good idea to have a contract worker or employee. I haven’t been sick since I started walking dogs. I do take vacations and time off, but that can be planned so people have time to make other arrangements.
June 10th, 2009 at 8:29 am
I had a much more boring workload than you – I was a freelance writer and analyst (statistics and other numbers-related gobbledygook). I would like to be a pro golfer or surfer now…or just golf and surf every day instead of work!
June 10th, 2009 at 9:14 am
That would be awesome if you could be a pro golfer or surfer!
June 11th, 2009 at 5:31 am
Lindsay, great advice for anyone thinking of starting a Dog business of their own. You certainly can’t beat working for yourself, whatever field it may be in.
No office politics and no need to answer to “The Man”. Being your own boss actually makes you more determined to succeed. You know that all your work pays off and it is you that reaps the rewards not someone else.
I would advise everyone to go for it if they possibly can. You may start off a little poorer but you will be determined to succeed.
June 11th, 2009 at 8:02 am
Thanks Three Dog. That is what I was trying to say.
Do you work for yourself?
June 11th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
I love your post! I said before that I wish I could run and I have zero lung capacity on one side, but I shocked me the other day! I drove 1 1/2 hours to get to a shelter and there was a dog there that they told me was unadoptable because he is high energy. We started out for a walk and he wanted to run. I was in flips flops and it was muddy and crazy out. We ran anyway. He wore out before I did. There is something about a dog that makes me well again. Makes me well and happy!
June 11th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
i forgot! when i began dog walking, i never had to go back to the chiropractor again. i had been seeing a dr for back and neck pain for years. dog walking fixed that problem. it had something to do with sitting in a chair doing accounting at work all day or something.
June 12th, 2009 at 6:30 am
What a marvelous article, Lindsay! No wonder you’re such a great writer–you were a newspaper editor! I didn’t know that
June 12th, 2009 at 6:58 am
That’s great, Lori! A dog is never unadoptable because of high energy! The dog just needs someone willing to exercise it. I’m glad your back and neck are better. Humans were not meant to sit in a chair all day.
Thanks so much for the writing compliment, Mayra!
June 12th, 2009 at 11:52 am
Hi Lindsay,
I just about work for myself now. Making my way in the online game of niche blogging. Not as rich as I once was (yet) but slowly getting there. Certainly better than construction work which I have been doing on and off since I moved to Spain. High temperatures and mixing concrete are NOT a good combination!
I guess you know the sense of satisfaction of knowing you have built something from scratch because of your own hard work and knowing that it will never disappear if you keep doing the work.
Whatever type of business you run it is so much more rewarding to know it is from your own work and your time is not being dictated by someone else.
June 12th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
That’s great to hear!
June 15th, 2009 at 6:32 am
Girl, Im so proud of you, for what you have achieved and your willingness to share that.
When I worked shift-work, I would of gladly paid someone to walk Chels as there were times I was asleep when the rest of the world was awake. Perhaps there is an area for you to work your magic, nurses, factory workers, emergency services (police etc) as there are times when you dont have a choice in shifts and Chels used to miss out or Bella would take her walking. With 2 Danes it would of been near impossible.
Now Im unemployed (2 g/f’s also were laid off) we’ve been mulling over working for ourselves or with each other. Not sure what in yet. We’re basically writing down our strengths & passions and seeing if we can work that into a job….tis not urgent yet
I loved this post for the content and the effort you put into all your posts, your love of dogs and happiness comes through in all you do.
June 15th, 2009 at 8:16 am
Thanks so much, Abbey! I would have loved to walk Chels. I think you have a good point about the nurses, factory workers, etc.
I’m glad to hear that things aren’t urgent yet, and you are thinking of what you are passionate about. I can’t wait to hear what you figure out. I wish you the best.
June 16th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
This is an awesome post. Thanks for sharing your experience. I, too, am deciding to go full-time with dog walking.
Money is a slight concern, but I’m pretty sure it won’t take long to build up a clientele. Especially since I’m living in a big city. And, I’m unhappy with the weird dynamics occuring at my “office” job. I think I’m just going to take a leap of faith!
Sharon
June 16th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Great to hear, Sharon! I hope your dog walking business works out. Let me know how it goes! One way to look at it is knowing you can always get a part-time job if you need it down the road. You will be happier doing something you love and the added part-time job would just be temporary.
June 17th, 2009 at 3:25 am
Hi Lindsay, I decided to start up my own dog walking business 3 weeks ago. It’s been a very slow start, as I’ve not gotten my first client yet and I am wondering what further advice you can give me? I’ve put up tons of flyers and done the Craigs List Ad and have the website. I’ve got the Google Analytics for the site and despite the fact people are indeed taking the tear-offs from my flyers, hardly anyone is coming into the website. I am in a big city too(Chicago!) and I realize the market is somewhat saturated. So I have been also trying to think of services to offer, that the others do not. But again, despite my marketing, I’m not getting the people into my site. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
June 17th, 2009 at 8:38 am
Hey Kara,
Congrats on starting your business. It will be slow at first, but if you stick with it and really love what you are doing it will work out. If you haven’t hung up fliers or dropped off biz cards or brochures at all the local vets offices, do that. Advertising at the dog park also works well. I use the plastic, three-ring binder sheets over my fliers to protect them from the rain and hang them with zip ties. I would also schedule a weekly appointment or two appointments a week to run or walk rescue dogs in your area for free. Ask the rescue if they will put a link to your web site on their web site. I’ve gotten a lot of clients that way because passionate dog people are always checking the rescue web sites. Offering pet sitting or other services will help, too.
June 19th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
Hi Lindsay, great post
I’m in Miami and am doing all the research to start a dog walking / dog&cat sitting service. My husband and I are just about to move to one of the most dog friendly buildings in Miami (think big dogs no problem!) which is full of young professionals. I’m really excited about the idea because we already work from home with another business that is more my husband’s and we have our little daughter at home as well so I figured this would be great idea. What suggestions would you have to start out? I’ve got a dog walking book already ordered from Amazon and have been doing lots of research including polling dog owners at the building but could use more ideas. Thanks and keep up the great work!
June 20th, 2009 at 8:30 am
Sounds like you have everything figured out already and are doing a lot of good things. I would ask people specifically what they’d want for their dogs and try to be as flexible as possible for offering different services. For example, someone might want your dog to stay with you or someone might want you to just check on their dog two or three times per day. Some dogs might need medications, etc. You could offer to take them to a nearby dog park. And some people will want you to walk their dogs alone with no other dogs, so make sure that is an option for people with very strong, hyper or aggressive dogs.
June 24th, 2009 at 11:47 am
Is it possible for a dog runner to ride a bike, or rollerblade, if the dogs are well behaved?
June 24th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Of course! You can do whatever you want! Just be careful because most dog’s are not well behaved!
June 30th, 2009 at 10:48 am
I frequently walk/run my friend’s dog and love it. I live in a small apartment complex and can’t have a dog of my own. I am thinking about starting a dog walking biz but do you think it will hurt my credibility with clients that I don’t have a dog of my own?
June 30th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Maybe, but honestly, most people won’t even ask. They’ll just assume you have a dog. If you volunteer at a shelter and walk some of the worst dogs it will help your credibility. Or if you’ve owned a dog in the past.
June 30th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Really interesting read, great for startups out there!
June 30th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Thanks!
July 14th, 2009 at 9:21 am
I live in a condo and there is a huge amount of residents in my development and the neighboring development as well. I was thinking of starting a little dog walking business just for my neighborhood and the one next door. I see and know people who walk their dogs in both neighborhoods. I have not had any experience in working for a shelter or at a dog walking company but i have owned dogs my whole life and own a dog now who has been quite a challenge to train but is getting there
. Would not having experience at a shelter or anything to do with dog walking affect my chance of successfully gaining clients?
thanks!
July 14th, 2009 at 10:01 am
You should be OK because you still have experience with your own dogs. You should know whether or not you can handle big dogs that are poorly behaved.
August 14th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Get site, glad I came across it. I love dogs, have three and would like to soon have a 4th. I am working on a 4 year plan (that is when my children will be out of college) and am hoping to have a Dog Walking Business up and running at the end of that period of time. I am already doing many of the things you suggested and appreciate the additional suggestions as well. Your recommendation to volunteer at local dog shelters is excellent. It is one of the most rewarding mission fields I have ever stepped into! I still have a lot to accomplish, but I’m excited about the endeavor that awaits.
August 15th, 2009 at 10:13 am
Thank you Colleen. I’m really glad I am able to help. Good luck with your goals.
September 27th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
I am so glad that I found your website, my name is also Lindsay and I am also a big, huge animal lover. I absolutely adore dogs. Right now I have a good job at an insurance company, but I am absolutely miserable and very unhappy. Sitting at a desk for 40 hours a week, really is taking a toll on me mentally and physically. I have gained 20 pounds in a year!! I have been wanting to start a dog-walking business for awhile now. I got my degree in business so I have always wanted to start my own business. I can’t seem to find anything about walking dogs that I would be unhappy about. I love dogs, I love walking/exercising, I would lose the weight I gained, I would be my own boss, etc…
The only issue right now is money. I have a mortgage and a car payment. Plus my fiance is kinda iffy about it because he wants to make sure we will be able to afford our bills and pay for our wedding in July.
So I have been researching online about this and that is how I came across your website. I am hoping to get a really good business plan down so that when I do quit my job I know that I will be able to pay my bills and my wedding!
I would have employees working with me that would also be walking dogs too, so I would be making money from them and also have someone to cover for me in case I need someone.
Do you have any advice for me? I appreciate any help that I can get!
September 27th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
It does take quite some time to get going. My advice is to stick with it if you really love what you are doing and it will work out. If you are concerned about money, it might be easier for you if you start your dog walking business while you are still employed. Then as you have more clients, either quit your current job or switch to part time. You can always take on an extra part time job for awhile if you need extra money. Even if it’s something like delivering pizzas at night, at least you know it will only be temporary until you reach your goal.
September 27th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
I read all your advice – and it really helped. Thanx.
I have always loved animals – an animal nut! I have 2 boys aged 5 & 8 and am studying 1 day a week.
I was thinking about starting a small dog walking business for some extra pocket money. From your knowledge do you think that it is possible to manage a dog walking business aroundother responsibilities.
Thank you – sarah
September 28th, 2009 at 9:17 am
I think it is possible as long as your schedule is fairly flexible. But, if you’re doing it just for the money, there are a lot easier ways to make money. It does take time, consistency and patience to gain a number of clients. It’s all a matter of how badly you want to do it and how hard you are willing to work.
October 5th, 2009 at 9:47 am
[...] I know there will always be dogs that need more exercise, I opened a dog running and dog walking business last year. There wasn’t a need for just another dog daycare. There was a need for something [...]
October 14th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
Hello-
Do you find it awkward asking the clients to sign the liability sheet? Do you ever find the clients to be bothered by this? Thank you.
October 14th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
It’s not awkward. Any kennel or dog daycare will have a similar form. Most clients don’t care and are happy to see the form. They view it as professional.
October 17th, 2009 at 2:21 am
Hi lindsay im in the process of organizing my own dog walking business. I was thinking of starting it out out of my own home doing local pick us to their home and walk the dogs around their location. do you think that is a good idea? and do customers frown upon business runing out of ones personal homes? Or should i get a little storefront…Even though that hurt my pockets…
October 17th, 2009 at 2:24 am
Also do u think $15 for an hr is too little and $10 for 30 mins…
October 18th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Chad, I don’t see why you would need a storefront for dog walking unless you wanted to sell treats and food and collars, stuff like that. People will expect you to come to their homes and walk the dogs from there. The price really depends on where you live. I’d shoot for $20 per hour and $15 for a half-hour. You could always offer discounts, like 10 percent off when you buy 10 walks or something like that.
October 18th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
oh alright thanx apperciate the advice. would you say this a profitable business? Because one day i wanna get a store front and move into selling a little merchandise and sitting from 7 to 5…then get into doing the over nights when i get a bigger place.I wanna start my own 24 hr daycare. But for now im trying to start with the walking first…I was aiming for 15 too bring in and attract cutsomers. but do you think if I should just list it as @ 20.00 and make a whole bunch of coupons and project sales @ 15 a walk. Do you ever get coplaints for 20 a walk?
October 18th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
*complaints
October 19th, 2009 at 9:21 am
It is profitable but it takes a lot of time and patience. No. 13 in my post is very important. I truly believe that the majority of people who start a dog walking business will fail. They want instant success and will give up within six months. If this is something you are truly passionate about and are willing to put a lot of work into, then you will find a way to be successful and profitable.
If your goal is to bring in as many customers as possible right now, then go ahead and charge a little less. You can always increase your rates later on. It depends a lot on the community you live in. I live in Fargo which is about 100,000 people. Some think $20 an hour is a bargain and others would never pay that much. But if someone doesn’t see the value in my service, then they are not the kind of customers I want to attract. You could try something in the middle like $17 per hour and $13 per half-hour.
By comparison, the dog daycares in my town charge about $20 per day for daycare. I’m not in direct competition with these businesses because we offer different services, but it gives me an idea of what people spend.
November 5th, 2009 at 4:03 am
Hi Lindsay,
Congratulations on starting a business that you love and that provides a valuable service! And thank you for sharing so much great information with all of us.
When you charge per half-hour or hour, is that entire time frame devoted to dog-running, or does the time frame include all the other things you do such as unlocking the door, greeting the dog, putting on the leash…and when you return, perhaps wiping off muddy paws, re-filling the water dish etc?
November 5th, 2009 at 9:29 am
No problem. Glad you found it helpful. I don’t count all those extra things in the 30 minutes or 60 minutes.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
Awesome blog! I found it totally helpful and will definitely come back to it in the future for more tips. Curious Lindsay, up to how many dogs can you walk/run/sit in one day? By count, what is a good day and what is a bad day? Also, I am a veterinary assistant and am looking into starting my own dog walking/running business. I am definitely familiar with aggressive dogs. Have you ever been injured on the job? If so, what then takes place? Also, have you ever had to turn away clients due to aggression? This blog is great! Thanks for the help!
November 6th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Hi Andrea, glad I can help.
A busy day for me is about 8 dogs. I will run up to 15 miles per day and will pet sit only 2-3 dogs at one time so I can give each dog the attention it deserves. Scheduling is more of an issue for me rather than running or walking too much.
I have dealt with many dogs that are dog aggressive or leash aggressive. Their owners give me a heads up as I always do a sort of “meet and great” before I get started and have them fill out a form about the dog’s personality. I use appropriate collars for control and work with the dog on its issues. I’ve never had to turn away a dog because of behavior but I would if I felt I could not safely control it. I have never been injured on the job except for a few scratches and a nip that did not break the skin. Making sure the dogs are vaccinated and carrying pet sitting insurance should help with this.
November 6th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Your story is such an inspiration. I used to have a job where I ran around and was on my feet six to eight hours per day and I miss it so much! My boring desk job now is doing nothing for me. Reading this blog may have been just the kick in the butt I needed to get back out on my feet. Thanks!
November 6th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
Thanks. I hope you find a job you like!
November 9th, 2009 at 8:12 am
Hi Lindsay! This blog has really been an inspiration for myself. I live in a city outside of Toronto, Canada called Mississauga and I have been thinking about starting a dog walking business in my area for some time now. I have my own Miniature Schnauzer named Rook who I absolutely adore and I would love to give other dogs much needed exercise and love while their owners are out at work or other commitments. While I do have experience with my own dog and my friend’s dogs, I really would like to gain some more experience with other types of breeds before I start up my business. Do you have any suggestions on how to get myself around other breeds? I am going to volunteer at my local shelter but I am not sure how much hands on experience I will get with the dogs there. Let me know what you think…I really appreciate all your advice, it’s really helpful!
Lisa
November 9th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Hey Lisa! To get more experience around different breeds, I would definitely volunteer at a shelter. Also look into dog rescue organizations. These groups usually don’t have shelters but they have foster homes. You could offer to take dogs to adoption events or even walk the dogs. Also, attend as many dog events as you can – dog shows, obedience trials, stuff like that. And visit the dog park and pet stores that allow dogs to visit. There are also tons of books and web sites out there that explain each breed.
November 9th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
Thanks for the details! I am considering starting up this type of business because I love dogs and running alike. We waited a year and a half before attempting to run with our Willie (Black Lab) but it was worth because he’s the greatest run partner I’ve got. It wasn’t until we moved into our neighborhood and I would run by fenced in pups time and time again that I started to consider doing this. I feel sorry for those poor pups being locked in all day. So, for the love of it, I wanted to get certified as a pet sitter and get this going. Your blog has given me a great amount of insight…thank you!
AS
November 10th, 2009 at 7:32 am
Glad I could help! Good luck! I’m sure your dog loves going for runs with you!
November 10th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
Hi Lindsay! Thank you for the very informative blog. It was such a relief to see that I am not the only one who has quit their job to start their own dog walking business. I was beginning to think I may be making a mistake. But I am hopeful now
I am in the process of getting my business started, but I was wondering if you had any tips regarding scheduling. My concern is that once the middle of the day hours are booked, I won’t be able to get schedule any more clients during the earlier or later parts of the day. How do you handle these situations? Thanks for your help!
Diana
November 10th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Hey Diana,
I guess I don’t understand what you mean. If you are full in the middle of the day, why wouldn’t you be able to take clients in the earlier or later part of the day?
There are definitely times when I have to turn people away because I’m too full. The solution to that is to charge more or hire some help.
November 10th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Thanks for your response Lindsay
What I meant was that clients will probably prefer the midday hours, right? Or do you have a steady flow of clients throughout the day? If the midday hours are booked for me, then how can I promote my early or late day hours when I am also free.
Diana
November 11th, 2009 at 9:14 am
I haven’t had that problem because so many people don’t work the usual 9-5 hours. Many of my clients are actually home during the day but don’t have time to exercise the dogs, so they don’t care what time I come. A good way to promote the later afternoon walks, like between 2 and 4 is to say the dog will be nice and tired when its owner comes home. A way to promote earlier exercise is to say if the dog is exercised right away, he is less likely to get into trouble the rest of the day.
November 19th, 2009 at 9:08 am
Hi Lindsay! It’s Lisa again with another question! (also, thank you for your great response to my first question). I know you mentioned that it does take time to build up your business and gain clientele. I’m probably going to be taking up a part time job in order to have some money flow during the early stages of starting up my business. I see you said to give it at least 6 months or so and I was wondering how long it took yourself to build up your clientele…6 months? more than that? less? Also, did you start your business part time at first or did you jump in with both feet?
Thanks in advance for your reply!
Frequent visitor,
Lisa
November 19th, 2009 at 10:11 am
Taking a part time job is a good idea, even if it’s something like delivering pizzas in the evening. It took me 11 months to feel like I could fully support myself through Run That Mutt. Until then (and still), I had a very supportive boyfriend, and I worked some random part-tme jobs. I quit my demanding full-time job right away so I could really focus on dog walking. You really do have to stick with it and work your butt off. My best advice is to treat your clients very well so they will continue to use your service and recommend you to others.
November 21st, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experience. It is amazing that you take the time to reply to all of the posts. My son(25 yrs.) and I(45 yrs.) are getting ready to put out flyers for our dog walking business. It will be running and walking. We plan on 20 min. runs. I have been running with my own dogs for about 9 months. I cover 1 1/4 miles per day. I will run for a block then stop and walk about 50 steps then run the next block and stop and walk about 50 steps, etc. I can’t seem to build endurance/stamina. Can you give any advice? I really want to be successful.
November 22nd, 2009 at 7:01 pm
I build endurance by slowly pushing myself a little further, working the muscles more than they are used to. So, if you can run a block comfortably, then push yourself to two blocks. Then three, etc. Of course, build up slowly over the course of a week or more and always give yourself rest days.
When I’m training for a marathon, I will increase my mileage for a week, but then the next week I will go back down to the mileage from a week before, then increase again, then take a step back, etc. The idea is to give the body some rest and recovery while slowly increasing the distance. You don’t want to injure yourself.
November 25th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
I have been looking at setting up a dog walking business. Not dog running-definitely not my niche…But I do have other ideas for my niche! Your posting on starting a business and ideas about volunteering are more unique than any site I have seen so far (and I have seen quite a few). Thank you so much for your insight. Also, do you belong to a membership of some pet sitter organization? Please email me:)Alyssa
November 25th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
I am considering starting a dog walking business next year and am very glad I found your blog. I appreciate your sharing your experience! Since there are many dog walkers in this area, I will need to do my homework and be very organized about this in order to compete. Thank you!
November 26th, 2009 at 9:23 am
Thank you Alyssa and Susan for checking out my blog. I’m so happy I could help. Good luck!
November 29th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Lindsay, do you have any rules about what types of dogs you will not take, for example a certain breed or perhaps a dog that has serious dog and/or people aggression issues? This is something I want to think through beforehand. Thank you, Susan
November 29th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
I would never refuse to run a dog because of her breed, and I hope you wouldn’t either.
I have never turned a dog away, but I would if I could not safely handle it. This has not happened because I have experience handling dog-aggresive dogs, powerful dogs, hyper dogs, etc. In some cases, I ask that the owner provides a specific training collar such as a prong collar, a Halti or even a muzzle, but in these cases the owner usually already has these kinds of tools because they are well aware of their dogs issues.
January 16th, 2010 at 7:29 pm
Hi Lindsay,
Love the information — thanks for sharing! I would like to start something like a dog-walking business and then one day include rehabilitating aggressive dogs. I have two questions: 1. Since you’re from Fargo (North Dakota?) what do you do in the winter for exercise? 2. Do you have any suggestions for gaining experience with aggressive dogs? Thank you!
January 16th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
I run outside with the dogs all year. On rare days when it’s not safe to be out, I will sometimes stop by and play with the dogs or just do a quick 15-minute run.
If you want experience with aggressive dogs, volunteer with a local dog rescue. Rescues generally have more aggressive dogs than humane societies.
January 26th, 2010 at 3:05 am
Lindsay,
I read all the posts on your fantastic blog..you are terrific really !! What an inspiration you are to so many of us..Thank you for giving honest advice to people wanting to get started in the dog business !!
I started my dog walking business 1 1/2 years ago when the real estate market slowed down here in California (been selling real estate over 32 years) .. I just started passing out flyers in the neighborhood & only charge $12 for a walk instead of $17 (normal rate here)…I also do overnight dog sitting in their home…I have been charging $45-$55 a night from about 8am-8pm including a night & a morning walk..I have been asking if they want a mid day walk & let them know it will be $12..Do you think I should come up with a price that includes the mid day walk ? Most of the overnight prices here are anywhere from $40-$80 (some include the mid day walk & some don’t)…I want to be competitive..but want to be fair to everyone…Orange County Ca is a very expensive area to live, but I know how difficult the economy is and want to keep prices low..Do you have any ideas how I could market to the young professionals with a pet & no kids, but are working 10-12 hours a day and live in a condo or apartment ?
I love your idea about working at the shelters..its wonderful to be able to play with those shelter dogs and give them some love & attention !!
What do you honestly think one person could make in this business if they started having regular day walking customers & doing overnight sitting as well ? I would love to figure out a way I could make enough money walking dogs to live on !!
I want to keep it simple and fun for everyone…By the way, my real estate customers never gave me flowers..wrote me nice notes..left me little gifts to thank me for just sending them text messages…In fact one of my favorite dog walking clients just bought a house from me…I think she trusts me as I take loving care of her 2 adorable doggies…
I would really value any advice you would have time to give me..
Thanks,
Kris
Owner: DogsandtheCity@aol.com
January 26th, 2010 at 9:21 am
I charge my visits based on time: $10 per 15-minute visit, $15 per 30-minute visit, $20 per 60-minute visit and $35 for an overnight visit (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.). Since my rates are based on time, I can include walking or running with the dogs during those times without charging extra. The owner can purchase one visit per day or as many visits as they want. This has worked out well for me.
You can definitely make enough money to live by doing strictly dog walking and pet sitting. Just give it 100 percent and go for it! I know you have more competition than I do and it’s more expensive to live there, but you will be able to make it work. I’m working on an ebook with more detailed information about starting a dog running business, and can let you know when it’s ready if you are interested.
Thanks for checking out my site. I checked out your web site, and one suggestion I have is to change the font to a darker color. I had difficulty reading the white font, and I’m only 26.
January 27th, 2010 at 11:30 pm
Lindsay,
Thanks for letting me know I need to change the color of the font…I appreciate it…What does the $35 over night visit include ? Do you stay at the dogs house overnight ? What do you say to people that are away for business..vacation etc about walking the dogs between your 7am and 10pm visit & how much extra do you charge…The overnight pricing is the most difficult one for me to figure out..
Good luck with your ebook..Let me know when it comes out ok ?
I will keep reading & sharing your blog with my doggie friends..
Thanks again for your honesty !!
Kris Olson
DogandtheCity@aol.com
January 28th, 2010 at 10:28 am
The overnight visit only includes staying at the house with the dog, and whatever care the dog gets during that time. All additional visits are an extra charge and may include walks. The rates are listed in my above comment.
January 31st, 2010 at 5:43 pm
What an inspiration you are Lindsay! I had dreamed of walking dogs for a living but did not know the industry existed. Wow!
January 31st, 2010 at 7:21 pm
Thanks Jeff!
February 1st, 2010 at 6:33 pm
For anyone interested in my ebook on how to start a dog running or dog walking business, it is now available for $7.
http://www.thatmutt.com/ebooks/
February 8th, 2010 at 7:31 pm
Thank you for this blog… I will be losing my job next month due to a business move… I have always loved dogs and have always wanted to work with dogs! Like you I am a runner and love the outdoors,running in cold temp and snow! I love it! You inspire me to open my own dog walking business! Cheers!
February 8th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
Good luck!