Dog walking business

[wombatsandstuff]

Hi,

I’m wondering if anyone has any experience in a dog walking business.

I have plans to start one once we move and I’ve lost weight, hopefully not next year but the year after. But I like to research thoroughly in advance, which isn’t a bad thing.

Anyone have any tips on courses to do? Or anywhere to read stuff.

I’ve seen the narpsuk course but its 300£ and whilst it seems good not sure it’s worth that much, has anyone done it?

Or can recommend another course that would give me a good overview on what I should do and give me some insight.

I have lots experience with dogs and I think it’d be something I’d enjoy. I’m used to be a Postie so I’m used to walking miles and miles in all weathers, so that wouldn’t be a shock to me. And I think it’d be more enjoyable than being a Postie.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

The most important thing is to look up how much it would cost to insure yourself to do this. Then work out if the price people will pay will make it worthwhile.

Insurance, two dog walkers I know have lost dogs they’ve taken out.
One had to break up a fight.
You may need to end up offering dog sitting to your resume, whether in your home or the customer’s home. Dog/cat feeding etc.
A doggy first aid course.
Would you have a van to transport the dogs? They need to be properly ventilated etc

Omg imagine if a dog walker LOST your dog!!!

Insurance. The best Insurance you can get. You want to be insured up to the eyeballs for everything you can possibly have happen.

Hi OP, I'm a dog walker - feel free to PM me if you want :)

You don't need any formal qualifications to be a dog walker but insurance is an absolute must. I use Protectivity and pay around £6 per month - it's really cheap.

I'm also qualified in canine first aid (there are loads of courses about - I paid around £30 for mine) and I eventually want to get my qualifications in dog training and behaviour from IMDT but they're not cheap!

I would recommend joining Dog Walkers UK on Facebook and asking on there for advice on courses etc. We're a friendly bunch and always happy to help any curious newbies :)

My main advice would be to be selective about which dogs you take on and decide whether you want to group walks or solo walks. Groups are where the money is, but you have the challenge of matching dogs together, controlling multiple dogs and transport to think about.

Solos are easier in that sense but much tougher on the body and it's almost impossible to make money just doing solos. The average price around here is £10 per hour - so groups can make you £60 but a solo just £10. Factor in transport, insurance, costs like poo bags and treats and you won't make much money doing solo walks.

Personally I do a mixture of groups and solos - the solo walks are charged at the same rate but are 45 minutes instead of an hour. I also offer toilet breaks at a price of £7 per dog.

Always, ALWAYS do a meet and greet and trial walk before agreeing to take a dog on. This gives you the chance to meet the owner and the dog, and see how they walk on lead, how they react to other dogs etc.

Also, don't feel bad for not taking on a dog. If your gut tells you it's a bad idea, listen! :) and good luck, it's the best job in the world!

@britnay

The most important thing is to look up how much it would cost to insure yourself to do this. Then work out if the price people will pay will make it worthwhile.

Insurance is dead cheap - not even £120 per year. I pay just over £6 a month all-inclusive.

Check if your local authority puts a cap on how many dogs you can have in local parks and woods etc.

I have a lot of experience with dogs but I haven't done it because of thr risk of dog theft or loss . I would only do it if I kept them on an extending lead ! It's not like it was when I was a child with dogs , they are very valuable and I see too many potential issues !

Please be selective on the dogs you take if you're not experienced in dog behaviour and training. We've had 2 dog walkers make our reactive dog worse because they failed to listen to us in regards to our dogs reactivity and advice given by our behaviourist. The walkers behaviour honestly set us back months with our dog.

We now have a new walker who's worked in zoos and knows everything their is to know about dog behaviour. The others just wanted to make an easy living (which is fine but only take easy dogs).

Im in an area a very rural area where dog walkers are like hens teeth probably because most people are either farmers or OAPs. Price is key I have no intention of paying more an hour than I earn (I'm a professional with 35+ yrs experience doing a highly skilled job) I once met women who wanted £30 to walk my two exceptionally well behaved sociable dogs dogs for 45 minutes she was keen to tell me she had vacancies (no surprise there) and that she was very "reliable" I'd be bloody reliable for £30 for 45 mins. On the other hand if you don't charge enough and you have to drive between clients you dont earn enough either.
Reliability is also very important 1 dog walker let me down two weeks in a row and texted me every morning when I was at work making it difficult to make alternative arrangements (I'm lucky I have helpful neighbours). I understand that we all have sick days etc but when people are depending on you you need a back up plan if ill health persists beyond a few days or at least don't keep saying you'll be 'better tomorrow'.
Also if you say you're going to walk a dog for an hour do that, one women who was charging me £20 an hour (for one dog) brought my dog back after 40 mins.
I'm happy for group dogs but some owners really don't like it. Finally a friend was a dog walker she said dont touch problem dogs with a barge pole!!

Thanks for all the replies guys.

Super helpful and will take everything on board. I know I need good insurance.

I'm a dog walker who specialises in walking Gundogs.
Do your research in your local area of what other dog walkers offer.

I offer 90 minute games based walks, and I charge alot for it.
Insurance & Canine First Aid is a must.
As said above there are lots of Facebook pages which are really helpful. Do feel free to DM me if you'd like anymore advice.

My dogwalker is my saviour, an absolute gem of a human. She has to be extremely flexible and super efficient at managing her ever changing diary. She also spends more time driving than walking despite having a fairly small patch so do factor that in.

I think you really have to like people as well as dogs but it is quite solitary at times.

As an aside my Walker is quite overweight and manages fine but has had some extended periods of injury which I imagine is quite common so having a stand in is handy.