Starting a dog walking business sounds appealing. Fresh air, lots of puppies, and interaction with other dog owners.
Is it for you? Let’s check it out.
Why should I start a dog walking business?
If you love dogs, there’s nothing more idyllic than spending a day with them while getting to know lots of other dogs (and their owners) in your neighborhood.
Also perfect for fitness. Walks are often 60 minutes long, and when walked about 3 to 4 times a day, they cover a significant amount of ground and are also a more intense workout.
A dog walking business is easy to fit into your schedule, even if you work part-time, are a student, or have caring responsibilities, as you have the freedom to set your own hours. Additionally, you can increase your sense of purpose in life by doing what you love.
>See also: 6 Best Ideas for Small Businesses in 2023
Are there any drawbacks?
Although you can set your own hours, you may need to work around your client’s schedule and may need to start early in the morning or in the evening.
It’s a lot of exercise, but it means you need to stay in decent shape from the off. Depending on the number and distance of your walks, they can be more strenuous than you think.
How much money can you make with a dog walking business?
First-hand research shows you can earn £22,044 a year, but if you’re reasonably busy you can earn as much as £26,000 a year.
Look at prices in other areas in the same area for average walk prices. In wealthier areas it can cost £25 per walk, but in towns and cities it’s more likely to be between £5 and £25. According to job site Indeed, the average income is £9.86 an hour.
Small Business Pro is the perfect tool to start your business. Not only will we help you with the heavy lifting such as managing clients, receiving payments, insurance, finance, and human resources, but you’ll also receive a host of personal benefits.
Learn more about Small Business Pro.
what do i need?
Of course, registering your business with HMRC is essential. For more information, please visit the government website. If you haven’t already, organize your branding first. Create a memorable name and logo.
You don’t need formal qualifications to become a dog walker, but there are courses that can give you confidence and potentially charge more for your customers.
In the UK, City and Guilds offers the following courses:
- Dog walking skill test level 2
- Pet sitter skill test level 2
- Level 2 Certificate in Technical Competence in Animal Health, Husbandry and Handling
- Level 3 Certificate in Technical Competence in Animal Nutrition
Although there is no equivalent in Scotland and Wales, the National Association of Pet Sitters and Dog Owners (Narps) has some of its own courses. Just becoming a member can increase the credibility of your business.
To make life easier at work, it’s worth learning animal first aid and learning more about dog behavior.
In addition to that, a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check can give clients some peace of mind about your background and reassure them that you are someone they can trust. Some organizations include a her DBS check as part of their membership, and if it’s time to hire an employee, it’s worth doing a her DBS check for them.
Of course, extensive experience with dogs is essential. If you need a boost of confidence, try walking your dog for free in your neighborhood. This also allows you to start laying the foundations of your business.
What services should we provide?
Determine the terms of service. This means the breed of dog being walked, the length of the walk, and the price per hour. You can also offer additional services such as dog sitting or dog boarding to generate additional income. Please note that you will need a permit from your local government to run a dog boarding business.
Decide on a breed based on your strength, confidence, fitness, and physical ability.
So, what sets you apart from the competition? If you already have a lot of dog walkers in your area, consider offering a dog park or dog training to fill the gap . Or you can specialize by breed, for example, working with larger dogs that require more exercise. Even complaints about other dog walkers (poor customer service, lateness) can drive your unique selling proposition.
Needless to say, legality is important when deciding what services to offer. Follow local government recommendations regarding the number of dog walks. Lambeth Council in London holds a professional dog walking license. Work with other businesses using the space, such as cafes and personal trainers, to protect dog walkers and other park users. License prices are based on the number of dogs (up to 6 dogs) and each employee requires a license.
Be aware that there are temporary limitations. For example, dogs are not allowed on beaches in Essex, Devon and Lincolnshire during the summer. It’s important to follow national laws such as picking up dog poop, keeping your dog on a leash, and preventing your dog from scaring livestock.
Let’s move on to the contract. Do you or a lawyer write the contract? Even if you fork out in advance, having a lawyer write the contract can help you avoid future disputes. As for you, be aware of the laws protecting customer data and record for administrative purposes which dogs you walk, when and when payments are made.
What kind of insurance do I need for my dog walking business?
Public liability insurance is mandatory, but you should consider all of the products listed below.
Care, storage and management insurance: Covers veterinary costs if an animal is injured or dies while in your care. However, dogs with chronic illnesses or disabilities are not eligible.
Employer responsibilities: If an employee becomes injured or ill in the course of work.
Equipment cover: You will be able to claim items such as leashes, harnesses, and muzzles.
Compensation for lost keys is as follows. Cover your customers in case they lose their keys.
No-Fault Cover: It protects you if the animal gets hurt and it’s not your fault.
Public responsibility: If your business causes injury or harm to the public or damages personal property.
Dog walking specialty insurance All of the above is also present if you want it.
>See also: Business Insurance: Everything you need to know
Marketing your dog walking business
A website is essential for your dog walking business. You should include information about your business and the services you offer, as well as at least your contact details. Starting a blog not only increases your search engine presence, but also provides customers and dog lovers with important information about dogs, dog care, and walking tips. Make sure your content is optimized for maximum visibility. Having a forum on your website allows users to not only create an account on your site, but also to comment and share with other members.
Get involved on social media and link to and from your website. A social media strategy is essential to building your audience and allowing you to stay engaged with them without overloading yourself. Mix in salesy posts on your blog with informative articles about dogs and dog walking.
>See also: 8 steps to create a social media strategy for your small business
Facebook is great for creating business pages where posts and videos act as mini-promotions. Users can become a community and leave reviews.
Don’t forget to create a Google My Business widget. This is the box that appears on the right when you are searching for a specific business.
That way, you can do more than just digital marketing. If you see a lot of dogs in your neighborhood, consider dropping flyers through your door. If you’re in a larger town or city, you can also advertise on billboards and store windows to promote your name and brand.
How much does it cost to start a dog walking business?
Based on what we’ve discussed in this article, we’ve summarized the main costs below. Please use this as a rough guide as prices vary widely.
Narps membership: £10 – £25 per month (various subscription fees may apply).
Starter gear (high visibility outerwear, harness, leash): £30 – £35
Durable walking shoes: £70
Specialist dog walking insurance: £5.41 per month (protected)
Standard DBS checks (per person): £18
City & Guils Level 2 Dog Walking Certificate: £32.80
Dog walking license (Lambeth): Up to 2 dogs: £64.52. Up to 4 dogs: £129.05. Up to 6 dogs: £387.17. The first license is paid in full and subsequent licenses are discounted by 20%.
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