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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

What would you want from a dog walker?

60 replies

bkwb · 25/10/2025 10:20

Hi!!
You can probably guess I’m trying to start up a new business..! What would you want/look for in a dog walker? Id like to further understand the needs and wants of people Smile

OP posts:
thisishowloween · 29/10/2025 14:06

TMMC1 · 29/10/2025 14:03

That’s because those of us that want what we are suggesting don’t use a service like your for exactly these reasons!

Oh well, lol.

I'm fully booked and have been for months, with a massive (closed) waiting list, so must be doing something right 😂

TMMC1 · 29/10/2025 14:10

thisishowloween · 29/10/2025 14:06

Oh well, lol.

I'm fully booked and have been for months, with a massive (closed) waiting list, so must be doing something right 😂

Not a personal attack, there are plenty of you doing a great job, as it appears you are.

but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a requirement for another style, and very few offer that. Hence all the comments from people here, ‘this is what I’d want BUT don’t use one because…’

Silverbirchleaf · 29/10/2025 14:11

Reliability.

Recommendations from other people that use you.

Not too many dogs walked at once. Went to a park and a dogwalker had six dogs off lead. A disaster waiting to happen.

if I pay for an hours walk, I want my dog to be walked fur 45 minutes plus. Not sat in the car picking up other dogs for the hour.

Insurance

Good knowledge of dog behaviour and body language.

Silverbirchleaf · 29/10/2025 14:15

Make sure you upgrade your car insurance for business use.

thisishowloween · 29/10/2025 14:19

TMMC1 · 29/10/2025 14:10

Not a personal attack, there are plenty of you doing a great job, as it appears you are.

but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a requirement for another style, and very few offer that. Hence all the comments from people here, ‘this is what I’d want BUT don’t use one because…’

Don't worry, I didn't see it as one.

The main reason people don't offer what people on this thread seem to want is because it doesn't make financial sense to do so, and also, most people aren't that interested.

As an example, a PP said they never wanted their dog unattended in a vehicle - so their dog could never come on any kind of group walk as I need to be able to leave dogs locked in the car to collect others, and I couldn't always guarantee to pick their dog up last/drop off first.

I have around 30 regular dogs on my books, who come out anywhere between 5 days a week and one day a month, and in almost six years, nobody has asked to see my vehicle, proof of First Aid or any of my qualifications. One person has asked to see my insurance when I started, but I've changed companies since and they never asked to see proof of that.

Solo walks simply don't make money, and ultimately, as much as I love my job, I do have bills to pay. I do small groups (2-3 dogs max), plus a couple of half hour solo walks, and walk about 12 dogs a day on average. I could do more, but long-term, it's exhausting to be out in all weathers, every single day and I don't want to burn out - physically or mentally.

TMMC1 · 29/10/2025 14:28

thisishowloween · 29/10/2025 14:19

Don't worry, I didn't see it as one.

The main reason people don't offer what people on this thread seem to want is because it doesn't make financial sense to do so, and also, most people aren't that interested.

As an example, a PP said they never wanted their dog unattended in a vehicle - so their dog could never come on any kind of group walk as I need to be able to leave dogs locked in the car to collect others, and I couldn't always guarantee to pick their dog up last/drop off first.

I have around 30 regular dogs on my books, who come out anywhere between 5 days a week and one day a month, and in almost six years, nobody has asked to see my vehicle, proof of First Aid or any of my qualifications. One person has asked to see my insurance when I started, but I've changed companies since and they never asked to see proof of that.

Solo walks simply don't make money, and ultimately, as much as I love my job, I do have bills to pay. I do small groups (2-3 dogs max), plus a couple of half hour solo walks, and walk about 12 dogs a day on average. I could do more, but long-term, it's exhausting to be out in all weathers, every single day and I don't want to burn out - physically or mentally.

Edited

I don’t disagree with you. Different people want different things. I’d want my dogs walked without others and always on a lead. A lot of people I know don’t use a service like yours as they don’t want group walks or off road walks.

it’s the same challenge with kennels.

thisishowloween · 29/10/2025 14:36

TMMC1 · 29/10/2025 14:28

I don’t disagree with you. Different people want different things. I’d want my dogs walked without others and always on a lead. A lot of people I know don’t use a service like yours as they don’t want group walks or off road walks.

it’s the same challenge with kennels.

Again, it all comes back to what makes good business sense.

To make money on solo walks, I'd have to charge over £20 an hour and people (understandably) just aren't willing to pay that.

TMMC1 · 29/10/2025 15:24

thisishowloween · 29/10/2025 14:36

Again, it all comes back to what makes good business sense.

To make money on solo walks, I'd have to charge over £20 an hour and people (understandably) just aren't willing to pay that.

Really. I would totally expect £20-£25 an hour.

you have travel time, mileage & wear & tear, insurance to cover before a wage.

firstofallimadelight · 29/10/2025 15:30

Insured
a contract
solo walks option
at least 45 min walk within a hour booking
restraints if using car
reliable
experienced with dogs
good communication

our walker charges £15 ph and is fab.

thisishowloween · 29/10/2025 15:42

TMMC1 · 29/10/2025 15:24

Really. I would totally expect £20-£25 an hour.

you have travel time, mileage & wear & tear, insurance to cover before a wage.

Yep - it's probably location dependent (we're very rural) but I've had so many conversations that just go silent when I mention what I charge, lol. At the moment I'm £10/45 minutes for groups, and £15 for solos. I don't do an hour anymore as I gave clients the choice between a price increase or a drop in time and they all chose the latter.

I do remember one lady who had two huskies - she wanted them taking out for an hour and was absolutely outraged when I said it would cost more for two dogs than it would for one 😂

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