How much would you guess I earn?

[Dogladyloveswine]

I took redundancy from a very corporate job a few years ago. Very respectable job title with a big company.

I decided to have a go at home dog boarding. So I look after dogs in my home for people who don’t like kennels. I also do a bit of doggie day care. It’s all just in my house.

It obviously doesn’t carry the same respect that my corporate job did! You don’t need any qualifications.

If you had to guess, what would you think I earn a month?

I pay for both daycare and home boarding as my dog is anxious alone and the whole point is he is in a house not a cage or kennel. I would be pretty pissed if I found out my dog was being left so they could go to the pub.
if there are 2 of you one should be on site

That’s amazing! Do you live in a rich area? What’s the highest number of dogs you have at once?

They get a walk at 9am and that’s their day until fed at 3pm? sounds very boring and little stimulation.

I know someone who did dog sitting at people's houses when they were on hols - lucrative but it was in Henley!

I'm in tech and it's doing abysmally...I am hitting 50 and don't think I've got it in me to go at another job. I think redundancy looming. This is giving me hope and I have 2 dogs already. Is it 5k after or before tax ? Either way I'm impressed and thanks for sharing !!

6k a month

What do your neighbours think! We had dog walk, dog care people move in next door, fortunately their business tanked, not sure it was legal either.

You must be good at it to have plenty of custom and a consistent intake of dogs. I think you must be a real dog person to find it easy and fun - a lot of people would not manage several dogs 24/7. It is a responsibility and you need to be skilled with dogs. I’m guessing with your corporate background you have some skills in marketing yourself and managing finances too.

I do think it’s a good income and great you enjoy it, but it’s not unskilled, and the business must be successful to generate a steady income.

How is it boasting? It’s factual and we need to discuss salary more , kids need to know that you don’t always need loads of qualifications to earn a decent salary, in fact the opposite sometimes.

That’s not op’s problem though, she’s the walker.

I can well believe it op. Finding decent dog care is a nightmare, so if you’re good, people will pay. Good for you I say.
And I can see why you don’t find it difficult! I have A LOT of dogs (more than you would be able to legally board!) and no, my house doesn’t smell and no, they don’t take that much work, probably 2-2.5 hrs per day including a minimum hours walk? And as for the “not being stimulated” thing…that confuses me! I work from home, so mine get walked in the am, then fed. I then work so they potter in the garden and snooze on the couch. Fed again pm, then they potter and snooze until bedtime. They are happy as Larry. Oh, and they can be left for 4 hours! I use sitters in my home and it’s part of the contract that they can leave them that long. I do occasionally.
Having also lived the corporate life with the “big” job I can absolutely understand why you love it and why it’s so much easier. I’m glad it’s worked out for you xx

These threads always inspire me as I’ve always wondered how much could be earnt from it!
well done you @Dogladyloveswine , I’d love to be brave like you and go it alone so to speak.
How many dogs do you board at a time? Do you have pets yourself? Do you have children? (Asking for myself hahaha)

I wouldn’t want you looking after my dog. One walk at 9am, then ignored. And you go out for 4 hours a day.

Starting a discussion about salaries is one thing. And yes could be informative and useful.
But instigating a childish guessing game in order to communicate how lucrative her " menial" - in her eyes at keast - job is comes over as quite unpleasant.

However much it is it wouldn't be for me as I just can't stand dogs!!
What is the fascination with them?!

Why, what do you do with yours? Mine are older and can only manage one walk. I work from home so I’m here, but I’m working? If op is sitting in the garden, I think the dogs will be with her?

Honestly? They are nicer than most people!! They are also loving, loyal and less needy than a child. What’s not to love?

Mine is young, two walks a day, lots of attention, some brain games etc. My boarders do 2 walks minimum, one does 3 walks a day.

Isn’t insurance really expensive?

How many dogs do you have? My local dog boarder has a maximum of 10 and they literally own an estate.

What kind of house / garden do you have OP? Do you have lots of space? How many dogs do you have at a time?

This wouldn’t be for me but well done for finding a great work / life balance!

Totally agree, I wouldn't do this for any money. Just can't see the fascination with the stinky creatures.

I can see why your dog would need that. Mine would absolutely refuse a second walk and in reality, couldn’t manage it. I don’t see where op says she’s not paying them attention. I sit in the garden with mine, they come up for fuss, I talk to them etc. I think op will be doing the same? If she is feeding them, walking them then leaving them alone all day in a different part of the house? Then no, that’s not ok.

That’s great for you dog, I said I wouldn’t want her boarding my dog. Not sure why you have an issue with this? I do lots of research on my boarders so they are a good fit.

Smelly, hairy, slobbery. A tie
They're everywhere, a lot are badly behaved.

Despite that I like them in general. I just wouldn't own one.