Starting a dog walking business, yay or nay?

[Awaanbileyirheid]

I'm about to leave a good paying job to start dog walking. Tell me bad points/ is it worth it?
I've certainly seen an opportunity and working with other dog walkers/business support and believe I can make it work.
Has anyone got any advice or experience good or bad please?

This comes up frequently in my area. Common questions from my end as a potential client that I'd want to know you have sorted....

Experience in dog walking, breed issues, training issues, reactivity in dogs, on lead walking issues.
Will you let them off lead. Where? What assessment do you make for this - how long, reliability of dogs recall, dogs temperament with other dogs etc)
Vaccinations expectation, will you walk a bitch in heat, neutering / spaying requirement
Vets you'll use in an emergency, your own dog first aid training skills
Cleaning / drying dog at door etc before putting back in house
How you'll store my house keys and an appropriate anonymous labeling method for security if your clients if you're burgled
Transportation of dogs, are they secured and how
Treats supplied (allergens etc)
Insurance obviously
Registered with council (if required in your area)
What is your plan if you can't work - short notice ill health or injury etc. Are you working with another dog walker who may be able to help you in a pinch / emergency situation or even holiday cover etc
Will you offer overnight stays at your home or in a client's home?

What's your policy if someone doesn't come back for their dog or appears to have gone off an abandoned their dog? (happened to a dog care woman in my town three separate times - owners fucked off abroad for work / holiday and never picked the dogs up from her again. She's quit the industry now).

There's probably more, but that's the crux of it for me at the moment.

Those are brilliant questions, thank you. I've put together a questionnaire for clients. Also getting police checked so people know I'm not going to sell their keys!

Absolutely yes!!!!!
Dog walkers, sitters and cleaners are all I see people asking for!!!!

A real win is dog sitting as an alternative to kennels ... my friend pays £35 per night for her dog to go to a sitters house. She recently went on holiday and she was there for 8 nights...x £35. Dog is gicen 2-3 walks a day and sleeps where the dog sleeps at home, so if on.your bed that's where it will sleep at the sitters... a good earner and much sought after

I can’t work out the maths. Our local pet sitters/walkers all charge less per hour than living wage, so I’m not sure it’s a great earner as a main job, unless you do some creative accounting or expand to hire other people.

@Worldgonecrazy I'm surprised by that - the one I'm looking at locally is £12/hr per dog in a group walk, £7 per additional dog in the same household or £17/hr for a solo walk.

I would also be mindful of the fact people generally want their dogs walked between 11&3pm, which limits earning potential. Then you have insurance and fuel costs coupled with the fact people don't think you should charge more than minimum wage!
Its not the moneyspinner many think.

You walk several dogs at a time!

FWIW my daughter in law does dog walking/sitting etc via a website
Dog Sitting Opportunities | Rover.com
This offers you a platform to offer your services, show your reviews and so on and it's worth a look to see how many other people are offering which services at what prices in your area.

I really want to set up a dog walking/ pet sitting business but there are loads of dog walkers already where I live so nervous of giving up a permanent job but following with interest for when I am brave enough to go for it

I did it (only for a few months as I fell pregnant the month after starting my business!)
I found it really easy to pick up new clients. Loved being outdoors every day and felt so lucky being paid to do something I loved.
Downside - it's messy. I had one dog that was shut in a crate all day until I picked it up and it often did a huge poo in my van on our way to the walk. That was grim.
Also cleaning all the dogs down/drying them off in the winter when its muddy outside wasn't much fun. I'd definitely do it again though!

thank you everyone, this is really helpful! I'm lucky I know several dog walkers all of whom have said theres space for another walker. One lady is stopping walking and has offered me her clients. Money wise, yes you take more than one dog! I can fit 4 dogs in my car and would look for a van to fit more in.
One dog walker friend had 9 in her van today! (she's covering another dog walker so only temporary!)
My current work hours are 9-3 so it would fit in nicely.
Yes, towelling off muddy dogs is never fun but no job is perfect!
Thanks for thoughts, good and bad are most welcome as I need to go into this with my eyes wide open!
Cheers for link @VeronicaBeccabunga I'll look into that! :) I see NARPS sell support packages too!
I've got links to business insurance and looking at Pet First Aid courses with a view to studying behaviour in the future.

@Aworldofmyown

Most the dog walkers I've met do cat and small animal visits first thing and later in afternoon. One lady here also drives sen kids to school on a council contract. Dog walking requires you to think diversely about income

Do you know the numbers limits in local areas? I believe a lot of places have limits on the number of dogs you can walk at one time.

@mitogoshi I will offer cat/small pet sitting. I'm experienced with dogs and small pets. Don't have cats but will offer feeding/petting service.
Was intending to offer a weekend/shift work service too.
Not petsitting as I have two large breed dogs and not enough space!
@PermanentTemporary yes the limit is 6. I've also checked laws to carrying dogs in car and properly restraining them.

9 dogs is faaaaar too many. How the fuck do you pick up all that shit? I hope she's taking them to a secure field or similar as that's a ridiculously number of dogs to claim you're in control of.

I don't think any area can be too saturated with competent dog walkers these days, especially if they have capacity for single dog walks or overnights.

OP get one of those warm shower hoses for cleaning dogs, I can’t remember what they are called but they were on Dragons Den.

@Awaanbileyirheid Hey, been reading your thread with interest. Have you had any progress, setting wheels in motion? :)

Hi, thanks for tips and support! Wee update: I handed in my notice and have left my job. Bought a van already converted for dogs. Have about 10 clients and start on Tuesday!
Fair to say I'm terrified! So far, have got along with all the dogs, even the nervous ones!
Done my canine first aid, business insurance, DRB check and created advertising. Need to wait for P45 to register as self employed.
Dear god, I hope I can make this work. I'm sweating bullets!
The only snag is I'm not able to use social media. I've already been trolled on there by local idiots. So paper advertising and word of mouth it is!

Hey! i have just come across your thread! Was wondering how it was all going for you?

Hey! i have just come across your thread! Was wondering how it was all going for you?

YES!!! Go for it, people will pay for the best service for their pets. It comes up all the time also pet sitting especially in someones home. Friend pays £32 a night to hers when she goes on holiday

Recommendations will be your best form of advertising too