To risk money to become self employed? *Dog Walkers*

[hasbeenbean]

Hi - do we have any dog walkers who could give me some insight please?

I’ve worked in the justice system for many years now and I’ve just become drained and need a change. Working in jobs that aren’t just jobs you leave at home, the potential extra time you might have to give, the emotions and way it changes your perception on many things and honestly, the way you’re treated (and not by clients!)

I’ve always wanted to work with animals but I know it can be a lower paid industry and with the way of the world at the moment, it’s a scary prospect to leave a guaranteed job with decent pay. With that said, I can’t help feeling it’s a now or never time and often think I’d love to become a dog walker (although worry it’s becoming a saturated market).
I have 2 Labradors of my own and have a great deal of equine experience so am used to being out in all weathers and handling large dogs/animals.

So after my waffle - could I have some lived experience please; is it a job worth doing? How does it work for you? How do you go about getting set up? Are there any advisable courses to take beforehand?
Any information is welcomed.

Thank you

How old are you? I would definitely consider this if I was pretty well set up, with good pension etc, with not too many working years left to go.
I think I’d just worry about the loss of fixed income, plus all the other benefits, sick pay, holidays etc. And maybe the shine of walking dogs may tarnish if you have to do it all the time.
Could you join an existing enterprise to do the odd walk around your current job - and see if it’s truly for you?

Thank you. I’m 30.
You do raise some good points which are also of concern for me. I’ve had my second and last baby this year so I wouldn’t be worried about things from a maternity perspective but definitely agree on the worries about sickness and holidays!

I have a friend who does this and loves it.

Sorry, I don't know many of the details but she loves dogs, the fresh air, natural landscapes.

She earns a supplementary income on top of her husband's earnings though so it depends on your financial situation as you wouldn't be able to run a household with a high rent or mortgage on it...

Thank you. That’s what draws me in - I love being outdoors and being with dogs. Fed up of working out of an office/home visits all over the place.

That is another point. DH earns well but we do have a mortgage still and 2 children and I’d never want to do anything to jeopardise their lifestyle/home.

When I had to find something self employed years ago I tried dog walking. The job itself is nice and peaceful but your ability to upswell is limited and your earning potential isn’t very great. There are only so many dogs you can walk at the same time or in the same sort of area which makes your real hourly rate quite low.
I switched to garden maintenance which is far more profitable and have done this for more years than j can remember now.

AFAIK there are no regulations, anyone can just set up.

But I think that you should do a canine first aid course. And you must get insurance

Find out if your council requires a licence for use of parks etc, and if there is a limit on the number of dogs you can walk at any one time. But also think about how many you can really cope with - say one of your charges cut a paw, how would you cope with the others whilst assessing then treating the injury.

What would be the pick up and drop off arrangements?
How would you deal with wet/muddy dogs at the end of the walk so they can go back into their houses clean and not sodden?

Think about what needs to go into contract with owners