It’s official: walking dogs is now a glamorous job - Hollywood has made it so. On the other hand, dog walking does not have to take place just in big cities like New York or San Francisco. Dog walking can take place in your local neighbourhood. The opportunity to turn this job into small business exists here in Britain too – small or big, the size depends on the manager.
Get creative with a flyer to pass out to local neighbours and passers-by seen with dogs. Use the flyer to outline your experience with animals, your love for dogs, past small business experience and how you are able to cater to the dog’s specific needs. You could also offer a trial walk, so that both parties get a feel for the business. This information ensures the owner feels safe in the knowledge their dog will be taken care of, thereby securing good references and subsequently increasing revenue.
Get familiar with the logistics of running a business. Determine how big the business will be. Will it be small enough to be managed and carried out by one person, or larger where you will need more than one employee? Set hours to fit in with the owners’ personal time. Hours could be one long available time slot or two slots split between the morning and the afternoon. Decide how to manage financial matters. It’s important to charge a fixed fee per walk and additional charges for special cases, which may include: walking multiple dogs, special instructions, dealing with aggressive breeds etc.
Remember that establishing a client base is important. Start with neighbours and friends, who know they can trust you. Once you’ve established a reputation as a safe pair of hands, people will recommend you to their acquaintances. In addition, pet sitting is a popular trend that could bring in more income. Dog lovers are likely to go on holiday just as much as they are likely to need a dog walker, and if they trust you in walking their dog, it’s likely that they’ll trust you to look after their house.