Community » Get Advice » Site Help and Feedback » Setting up a dog walking business: a comprehensive guide

With demand for expert dog care on the up, it’s no wonder so many would-be entrepreneurs are wondering how to start a dog walking business.

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The good news is, setting up a dog walking business could be the ideal next move for those who are mad for mutts.

How to become a dog walker
If you’re wondering how to become a dog walker, there are some things you need to consider first.

The pooches could be quite a handful, so you need to understand canine behaviour and have their best interests at heart. With some dog walkers walking multiple dogs at once, this is imperative.

If you would like to gain more experience with dogs, you could always consider volunteering at your local kennels or rescue centre.

You also need to have strong interpersonal and communication skills, which will come in handy when dealing with the pets’ owners and growing your network. You need to be physically fit, too, because the walks will be long and the dogs may be strong.

And if you’re someone who balks at braving the great outdoors when it’s cold, wet or muddy, be prepared. You’ll be outside come rain or shine, so feeling comfortable in bad weather is an absolute must.

How do I start a dog walking business?
Below are some of our top tips on how to start a dog walking business, and some key things to keep in mind before taking the plunge.

Consider training and qualifications
You don’t necessarily need any training or qualifications to become a dog walker, but having them may help your credibility and professional standing when building a client base.

Some of the training and qualifications you might choose include animal first aid, animal behaviour, and animal care.

Get all the right checks
If you’re holding a dog owner’s keys and going into their house, you’ll need a Criminal Record Check. If you’ve lived at your current address for more than a year you can apply online with Disclosure Scotland for a Basic Disclosure, which costs £25.

If you’ve lived at your address for under a year, you can apply for a Criminal Record Check through NarpsUK at a cost of £65.

Understand the dog walking rules and regulations
The trade association NarpsUK (National Association of Pet Sitters and Dog Walkers) has lots of information on how to start a dog walking business, and they’re especially helpful when it comes to understanding the key rules and regulations.

Some of these rules include:

Meeting owners prior to the first booking
Restricting the number of dogs walked to no more than four at a time
Keeping records of all work undertaken
Protecting clients’ personal information
Making sure all dogs in public are wearing a collar with the owners name and address on it
Cleaning up faeces (if you don’t do this last one, you could be fined up to £1,000)
You don’t have to, but joining NarpsUK gives you access to lots of help and advice on setting up a dog walking business. Telling your clients you’re a member might also give them peace of mind.

Think about business insurance
And talking of peace of mind, dog owners will be putting you in charge of their pets, so they’ll naturally expect a level of care and reliability. Getting a tailored business insurance policy can help show clients that you’re serious about your work.

It could also help you sleep easy, knowing that you’re properly protected should the worst happen.

Public liability, for instance, may provide protection if a member of the public becomes injured because of your business and decides to sue.

To learn more, check our FAQ page: ‘what is public liability insurance?’ (or read on for more information on your cover options).

Work out how much you’re going to charge
As a dog walker you can expect to earn between £6-10 per dog for walks that last between 30 minutes and an hour.

If you’re walking more than one dog at once, this means you could earn a significant amount. But these rates can fluctuate depending on your business overheads, the number of dogs you take per walk, and the number of hours you walk per day. Also be prepared to negotiate on price with your clients.

Rates can also vary by location, and the nature of the business means that there is no set rate you should be charging. Research here will be key – you can find out what similar businesses are charging by calling them and setting your rates accordingly.

When you’re just starting out, you could consider offering a lower rate compared to your competitors to drive new business.

Get the right transport
While you could use public transport to get you and the dogs around (for instance, if you live in a well-connected city), it’s much easier if you own your own vehicle, especially if the owners don’t live anywhere near a place you can take the pups for a walk.

Keep on top of the day-to-day running of your business
Dog walking might not look like a tradit

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