Want to become a dog walker but don't know where to start

[ilovedogsme]

Exactly that really! I have my own dog but that's where my experience ends!

I really want to be self employed (I have been thinking long and hard about what I can do) and I love walking my dog - although she is old now, and feel this is something I would be really happy doing.

Are there any courses, qualifications i would need. Is there anyway I could get experience. Is there anyone on MN who has done this and could give me some tips or any pet owners who use these kinds of services could give me and insight of what you think?

I use a dog walker. If I was looking for a new one I would want to be certain they were experienced dog owners, fully insured, and trained in canine first aid.

I have two friends who are dog walkers. Walking "your dog" and walking dogs are very different things - dogs come in all shapes, sizes and temperaments. It is nigh on impossible to make a living at this unless you are able to mostly do group walks - which means controlling three or more dogs at once (and I make no comment on whether people should be walking that many dogs - simply saying that it is not easy). As well as first aid, you therefore need a lot of experience with dogs and preferably experience of both training and behavioural assessment.

Then, if you are walking that many dogs, you need transport to pick them up and take them for walks - it isn't a quick walk around the block near home. Transporting different dogs in a car is not easy - most dog walkers have a van for these purposes, equipped with cages. That means a vehicle and equipping it. Then check local traffic management laws - you may now find that as a business you have emission charges, and certainly business insurance is required.

And now if that hasn't all put you off, I will be brutal - neither of my friends make much money despite working lengthy hours. One is a former teacher (burnt out), makes next to nothing and has a husband who brings in most of the income. She openly says that she'll have to pack it in soon because it is getting to the stage where her outgoings rival her income. The other one has mental health problems that mean normal employment is almost impossible (he's greatr with dogs, terrible with people!) - dog walking suits his temperament, but he does it because that means he doesn't have to sign on and account to the DWP, not because he makes much out of it.

I wouldn't recommend it as a source of income. It sounds lovely and easy - it is often neither.

Good advice from the previous posters!

Thank you for your replies. I had dogs growing up, mainly Alsatians and now have a terrier. It's just something I was thinking about as I am desperate to be self employed doing something I enjoy. I do have a few other ideas up my sleeve but need something with minimal set up.

I was going to go up to the dogs trust and see if they have any volunteering positions available to get a feel for it. I will have to see what else I can come up with though.

Thank you for your input.

My dog walker does walking and boarding single dogs only. She tends to be in demand because some dogs need solo walking and boarding. Depending on what kind of income you need you might manage - she brings in around £400-£600 a week plus boarding. Because she only takes solo dogs she doesn’t need a van, she’s very good with tricky dogs and puppies and is always booked out for walking. She has canine first aid and appropriate insurances - she’s very well established and most of her clients come from word of mouth and trainer recommendations.

My dog walker is insured. She has an adapted van that she uses to collect dogs. She walks upto 4 at a time between 10-3. She advertises/promotes her business on Facebook and instagram.