180 responses to “How to start a dog walking business”

  1. sarah

    Do you think that a thirteen year old can be a dog walker? i have just put out some flyers around my neighbor hood, and i am not sure if there s anyway that i will actually get any clients. i put cards on every ones door with my logo, email, website, and prices. i was thinking about charging five dollars a dog, but i highly doubt anyone will even email me.

    : (

  2. Jess

    Hi Lindsay,

    I enjoyed reading all about your business, and have been seriously considering starting my own dog walking/sitting business. I used to be a veterinary technician, and would do a lot of sitting for the hospital clients, and it was fun, but it wasn’t enough to support myself with alone. After a few years away from working with animals, I have started to miss them and wonder if I should revisit the idea of this type of work. My question for you is, how do you keep yourself safe in terms of being in someone else’s house alone or hiking an out of the way trail by yourself? I am a smaller woman, and at times, I would feel a little vulnerable being on my own in unfamiliar homes, especially staying overnight. What precautions do you take when you walk/run and do home visits? Thanks!

  3. Heidi

    Hi Lindsay!,

    I believe in fate. I was laid off this past April from a “desk job” that I had worked for nine years. I live in upstate NY and have a six year old and a two year old. A neighbor approached me and asked if I would be willing to take her dog for a walk every day for about 10 minutes. She offered to pay me 10 dollars a day. I agreed and I love it! It’s great to get outside and she is flexible so I walk Zodi anytime between 11am and 1pm.

    My husband is encouraging me to make a go at a dog walking business. We are ok financially right now and I am interested in pursuing the idea however I want to take it slow. We pulled my 2 year old out of full time day care when I lost my job so she is home with me 3 days a week (which I love). She walks Zodi with me (which she loves!) She is a peanut and likes being carried on my back in her hiking pack. I learned from Zodi’s owner that Zodi does not like anything on wheels so my running stroller was out. This definitely limits me as far as only walking one dog at a time and making sure that the dog is safe to be around children even though she is technically not walking next to them. We plan on enrolling her in preschool next year.

    What would you view as “must dos” even with just a few clients. Am I out of my mind to think that I can take on a couple more dogs with a two year old in tow three days a week? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

    Thanks so much,
    Heidi

  4. TG

    H Lindsay,

    I just wanted to thank you for all of the information and guidance you provide to everyone. I have a quick question. How do you get licensed? Do you have to do it through the city you live in, the city you will be working in, county or state…..

    Thank you
    TG

  5. kelsie

    i am wondering how you wold make dog walking cards to give to your nabers to walk ther dogs?

    /

  6. mona

    wow. this post was so incredibly helpful. thank you, lindsay. i just got laid off a couple of months ago, i volunteer for a rescue org out here in LA and i’m thinking, i must do something with dogs. thinking a dog-walking/running biz is the way to go. (p.s. i swam in college, but i was no sprinter :)

  7. Christine

    Hey Lindsay,

    I really enjoyed reading your blog. I teach kindergarten but have been thinking of starting to walk dogs on weekends and in the summer for now. I want to offer dog walking/rollerblading. I currently rollerblade with my own dog (big dog) and he loves it and I feel confident on the rollerblades. I am however stuck on what to charge between two different options.

    30 min walk: 10.00 or 15.00
    30 min rollerblades: 15.00 or 20.00
    60 min walk: 15.00 or 20.00
    60 min rollerblades: 20.00 or 25.00
    And 5.00 for each additional dog in the same family.

    Which do you think sounds best? At first I was thinking the lower prices, but now I am leaning more towards the higher of the 2. It’s just that I would like to make it affordable, but at the same time, worth my while, but not too expensive that people won’t call. Especially since I live in Phoenix and summers get VERY hot.

    Oh and I have researched the area, there is not much competition, but what there is is charging at least 15 and 20.00 per visit.

    Thoughts?

    Thank you so much!

  8. Chrystal

    I like your out look i am trying to do this to

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