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Dog Walking
Pet owners living in city centers, apartments or lofts, lead very busy lives and this is where you can come in with a Dog Walking business. All you need is, to like dogs, a lot, some leashes and a good pair of shoes. Oh, don’t forget plenty of bags to pick up the poop. It is hard to find time for dog owners to take their pets on a daily walk. If they are not busy with work it could be due to physical disabilities or injuries, so it may not always be possible for pet owners to walk their dogs themselves.
Dogs need exercise and fresh air on a daily basis to stay healthy and happy. Your Dog Walking business provides a much-needed service. Daily exercise has also shown to reduce behavioral issues caused by dogs left alone all day with nothing to do. Being walked allows them to not only socialize with another human, but also other dogs.
An important thing, walking helps keep a dog fit, especially with obesity on the rise among humans and their canine counterparts alike. A dog walking service can be very lucrative. You'll also benefit by getting daily exercise too.
Where to Start
A dog walking business is easy to start. All you have to do is take your clients' dogs for walks every day. Some people provide dog walking as part of starting a pet sitting business, but this isn't a necessity. If you want to concentrate on dog walking don't worry about other business ideas until you have plans for expansion.
Most dog walking takes place during the day while the owners are at work - which means you get to take a brisk walk every day in the great outdoors during normal business hours, when everyone else is cooped up in their offices or even cubicles.
Pricing
Most dog walkers charge a base price for a half-hour excursion. Research the fees of other dog walkers in your area to come up with a competitive figure.
Work with your local insurance agent to determine if you need (and to what extent) insurance. Insurance will help cover you and your business in the event an accident happened to a dog while under your care. You'll need to take in the cost of insurance into your rates.
If you are always on time, responsible, reliable, and take good care of clients' dogs, it will be easy to attract and retain customers. Your business will spread by word-of-mouth before you know it and it can’t hurt to have a handful of business cards while on walks.
Required Skills
You don't have to be an animal lover to start a dog walking business - as long as you are willing to learn to love dogs and have some basic handling skills you can provide a dog walking service in your community. Getting to know your clients’ pet on a personal level is very important. It may be best to take the dog for a walk alone in order to get to know how it acts, or reacts, to events on a normal walk before introducing it to other dogs you walk.
And if you're in decent shape, the physical aspect of the job shouldn't be a challenge.
Remember - always be prepared to clean up after the dogs as your on your walk - if you cultivate a good reputation in the neighborhood, your business will continue to grow.
Supplies
Purchase several high-quality leashes and just about any bags will do, even plastic grocery bags. As an extra precaution, bring pepper spray or vinegar along to fend off stray dogs that may try to attack during an outing, and carry a first aid kit in a small pack (a fanny pack or backpack).
Why start a dog walking business?
For many reasons. First of all, it doesn't cost very much to get started. All you need are a few basic supplies and the ability to find customers. If you want, spend some extra money to print up business cards and flyers - hand them out at veterinarian offices, training facilities, grooming shops, pet stores, and other relevant locations.
Think smart when searching for clients - post flyers in retirement communities and outside upscale condominiums. Advertise your business where a market for dog walking services is more likely to exist.
Helpful Resources
How to Run a Dog Business: Putting Your Career Where Your Heart Is
101 Best Businesses for Pet Lovers
How to Start a Home-Based Pet Care Business, 2nd (Home-Based Business Series)
The Dog Walker's Startup Guide: Create Your Own Lucrative Dog Walking Business in 12 Easy Steps
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