Becoming a dog walker?

Beckyy

For some time now I've been thinking about offering my services as a dog walker. I've been around dogs my whole life and currently have a great dane of my own. I understand that there are a few people locally who offer a service, and I would have to work extremely hard to compete with them at all. I'm guessing advertising in vets/pets at home/possibly a website would be the way to go.

I'm hoping to start a distance learning course of canine psychology next month, and possibly also a one day course in canine first aid. I understand that I would need insurance both for public liability and possibly for the animal which I'm walking to cover any medical problems and also a disclosure scotland check. There are numerous places to walk dogs in the area, and I drive so am able to travel easily.

I'm hoping to possibly offer a doggy day care service in the future, but that would depend on how well walking took off etc. And would also be happy to do transporting to the vets and back, checking in on other animals at home and cleaning out/feeding them.

What I would really like to know is what people would expect from a dog walker if they were to use one? What kind of price they would expect etc. Would you only use a dog walker if they're registered with NARDs or another similar organisation?

Fang_3

I'm actually looking for a dog walker at the moment and unless I find a suitable one I won't be getting a dog. I would expect you to be registered and have a check-able reference from a local Rehoming Centre or suchlike because to me it says that the person actually cares about what they're doing and isn't going to just start walking dogs because it's an easy way to make money. I expect a level of competency that shows that the person knows how to control dogs and won't be taking on more than three - four dogs per walk, and that there is a planned route and time off lead. Most of all I would expect more than a 45 minute wander around the streets which might provide the physical need of a walk, but doesn't mentally stimulate the dog, which in my mind is equally important. For a 40-60 minute group walk I'd probably pay an absolute maximum of £7.50.

picklepick

I'm a dogwalker and its not as easy as it sounds. I walk for 4 or 5 hours a day, how physically fit are you?

Firstly, you need to get insurance. Its a definite must!
Secondly, the majority of the dogs I walk are well behaved, dog friendly and manageable but there are quite a few who are aggressive, dont walk well on a lead, some arent allowed off a lead and you literally need to hold on with all your strength for a whole hour. I walk a lot of big, strong dogs that a lot of other walkers in my area wouldnt touch with a barge pole. I think a lot of people see dogwalking as a way to make a quick buck, but its surprisingly hard work. Sounds like you've thought it through though.

We charge £10 per hour for a group walk which is the going rate around here. People pay less if you block book say 3 or more walks a week. You pay more if you have a dog aggressive dog who needs one-to-one attention.

Fang, you wont get a dogwalker around here for £7.50 who carries insurance, it costs a lot of money. You might get a kid who thinks they can make some pocket money or a retired elderly person etc but if you want someone professional you'll need to pay more!

Fang_3

picklepick wrote: »

I'm a dogwalker and its not as easy as it sounds. I walk for 4 or 5 hours a day, how physically fit are you?

Firstly, you need to get insurance. Its a definite must!
Secondly, the majority of the dogs I walk are well behaved, dog friendly and manageable but there are quite a few who are aggressive, dont walk well on a lead, some arent allowed off a lead and you literally need to hold on with all your strength for a whole hour. I walk a lot of big, strong dogs that a lot of other walkers in my area wouldnt touch with a barge pole. I think a lot of people see dogwalking as a way to make a quick buck, but its surprisingly hard work. Sounds like you've thought it through though.

We charge £10 per hour for a group walk which is the going rate around here. People pay less if you block book say 3 or more walks a week. You pay more if you have a dog aggressive dog who needs one-to-one attention.

Fang, you wont get a dogwalker around here for £7.50 who carries insurance, it costs a lot of money. You might get a kid who thinks they can make some pocket money or a retired elderly person etc but if you want someone professional you'll need to pay more!

Really? I've been quoted £7 a day for a 40 minute walk, five days a week. I could put him in Doggy Day Care for £17.50 a day and that has the added bonus of ten hours of active stimulation and socialisation, whichever I choose will depend on which breed I choose.

Pixiechic

Hi,

Is this service mainly for old or disabled people?

I'm just wondering as wouldn't most walk there own dogs?

picklepick

Fang wrote: »

Really? I've been quoted £7 a day for a 40 minute walk, five days a week. I could put him in Doggy Day Care for £17.50 a day and that has the added bonus of ten hours of active stimulation and socialisation, whichever I choose will depend on which breed I choose.

£7 for 40 mins sounds ok, just check what insurance they carry.
We charge £8 for 45mins once a week, £23 for 3 a week and £36 for 5 a week.

£17.50 sounds ok for daycare aswell but how many dogs will be there aswell? And of course the person who's offering that service doesnt need to factor in all the costs of petrol that a walker will incur travelling between different homes and parks etc.

picklepick

Pixiechic wrote: »

Hi,

Is this service mainly for old or disabled people?

I'm just wondering as wouldn't most walk there own dogs?

We have keys to all our clients homes, and i walk between the hours of 10 and 3 while the owners are out at work! You cant leave a dog on their own for 7+ hours without someone coming to let them out for toilet and excercise.

Pixiechic

picklepick wrote: »

We have keys to all our clients homes, and i walk between the hours of 10 and 3 while the owners are out at work! You cant leave a dog on their own for 7+ hours without someone coming to let them out for toilet and excercise.

Oh I see, interesting. The main reason that we don't have a dog is due to that reason. I would love the walks just not fair to leave a dog at home all day alone!

Fang_3

picklepick wrote: »

£7 for 40 mins sounds ok, just check what insurance they carry.
We charge £8 for 45mins once a week, £23 for 3 a week and £36 for 5 a week.

£17.50 sounds ok for daycare aswell but how many dogs will be there aswell? And of course the person who's offering that service doesnt need to factor in all the costs of petrol that a walker will incur travelling between different homes and parks etc.

It's this one - http://www.daycare4dogs.co.uk/p7-services-and-prices.html

Beckyy

Thank you for the replies!

I have a great dane myself, he's still relatively young, but is already well over 50kg, so I'm very familiar with walking large/giant breed dogs. I currently walk a fair bit, usually around 4 miles a day, so I know (and hope!) with a gradual build up I should be able to walk for quite a few hours each day if required.

I've always wanted to work with animals, but have never been able to - usually due to required degrees/training which isn't available without me going at least 5 hours away from where I live to study full time, and also working very long hours which I have no problem with but have the responsibility of my own dog and would not like to leave him for more than 4 hours. Although I understand that dog walking can take up a lot of time I would imagine that the main work time would be 10-3, so I would have time to spend with my own dog in between walks and at a break between afternoon and evening walks, and possibly take him with me on some walks if a client's dog would like a well socialised/group walk (with dog owners permissions and if applicable etc.)

I think the thing I'm most worried about is getting the initial client base. I know people would usually avoid newcomers until they're well established, and although I'd be happy to earn a little less until I am established, I'm worried that even with a lot of advertising I wouldn't 'take off'. Do you mind me asking how you managed to get over the initial start up and start to build up regular customers, picklepick?

Also, what do you do if you're ever away or unable to walk dogs on certain days? I haven't been on holiday for quite a few years, but do on rare ocassions have to go away for a day or two (eg - next week I'm attending my auntie's funeral and will have to be away a day each side due to travel).

Thanks again for your replies :j

Jessw0

We have a dogwalker for our dobermann. She visits every wekeday lunchtime we are at work or not working from home. She plays with him in the garden and feeds him. When he's older she will take him out but as we walk him morning and evening, it's enough for now.
She charges £5.50 per visit, is CRB checked - even though she only has a key to the back door and kitchen, the rest of the house is alarmed.
When looking for one, I wanted the CRB check and I also spoke to her existing customers for references. Her husband has been round to meet our dog as he will visit if she is ill.
It was also important for us to see how she handled him, as he can be very bouncy and a typical large puppy. She's kind enough but also firm, we didn't want him developing bad habits while we aren't there. So far it's working out perfectly. She does have a habit of losing our toys for the dog by lobbing them in the hedge, but it's a small price to pay!