He now teaches everything he's learned in the Pet Business Masters! The Red Flags are something that you need to pay attention to. That is incredible and yes hiring is a necessary evil. To start a business is not an easy walk in the park. Starting up your own business from scratch is definitely a challenge, but if you love dogs and have enough drive and commitment, you could become a dog walker. I’ve been struggling with that. And with pet ownership at an all-time high (83.3 million dogs in the U.S.! Episode 219: Marketing Mistake: Are You Hiding The Best Kept Secret In Your Business? - John Reh, john@petbusinessmasters.com, » Pros & Cons Of A Dog Walking & Running Business, How To Handle Tips & Gifts From Dog Walking & Pet Sitting Clients. Owners can unexpectedly be home when you arrive, so don’t get there late/early, be talking as you enter the house, etc. Now she manages a team of four walkers. Why more don’t retirees jump on the bandwagon, perplexes me as there is a ton of opportunity in my area, and I have to turn down new clients all the time because my calendar is always full. Don’t be this person . I’m a retiree and this supplements my social security income perfectly -Bella, Your email address will not be published. To be effective at market your dog walking business, you need to have a carefully thought out marketing plan. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website. If you let them, Not having a backup. On a big enough scale, there will be a need for backups just about every week (if not every day). So, if it’s too far away or you’ve got an unruly dog, this client may not be worth your time, Not creating boundaries with your clients. Offering dog-walking services is just good business. Sign me up! Exactly how fast and far you go is up to your clients and what they want/need. Get this free report and discover the mistakes you may be making that are costing you tons of money. Once you have your model figured out along with your systems and processes, there are lots of opportunity for time off and “hands-off” managing. For pet sitting companies this isn’t so much the case, unless it’s someone that books consistently all the time (which isn’t the norm). It definitely can be fun work, but there are stressors that come along with it just like any job. We may request cookies to be set on your device. in business for a little over three years..every day is rewarding. In a dog walking company, every client is your bread and butter. The problems talked about here are just a few downsides to starting your own business, but like I said, everything has pros and cons! There are plenty of things to consider before you start up your own dog walking business, but if you follow our advice, you will be well on your way to success. Just starting a dog walking business or looking to get more clients for your own business? I’m here to tell you that it’s not all puppy kisses and rainbows – sorry! What are the risks of starting a dog walking business? In my opinion, this is the best service you can offer your clients because, among other things, it’s recurring revenue, easy to schedule/manage, and you build lots of customer loyalty. As such, you’ll need to possess all the regular entrepreneurial skills required for founding and running a successful company. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Physically it is demanding and you always have the weather to deal with (105 heat index today in DC), but I truly get so much enjoyment in caring for my clients both human and canine. Walking with your dog in extreme weather conditions poses a ton of its own risks, and this can lead to your dog getting sick or hurt. You can block or delete them by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. Starting a dog walking business isn’t always a walk in the park (sorry, we couldn’t resist), as there are plenty of financial and risk-related considerations that should be taken into consideration. Most of the time your clients are at work, so they won’t need you on the weekends. Operating a business in the pet industry is tough no matter what you’re doing. Mad respect for you girl! I mean think about it, walking dogs for a living? I have weekends and holidays off. https://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/BLOG-1.png, https://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JUMP-CONSULTING-LOGO-2018-2-01-2.png, The Problems With Owning A Dog Walking Business. Having a backup is important to be able to continue service. You've decided to turn your love of pet care into a career, but it can be easy to get lost in the dream of being your own boss, growing your company, and having the financial freedom you've always wanted. Is it something you may do? Tagged: Risks of starting a dog walking business . Finally, an upsurge in business travel that started in the '80s and continues today also contributed to the need for the services of a pet-sitting or dog-walking professional. Business name search. Because day to day you'll be walking dogs and, of course, you have to get on well with those. It's no secret that I think dog walking is the best business business model ever. It does not take much money to start a dog walking business and you can start during your free time. My income is fairly stable, and even the occasional cancellation makes my day shorter and it’s great to have a short day. Plus, these are necessary considerations if you're comparing dog walking to the pros and cons of pet sitting. Most of the time your clients are at work, so they won’t need you on the weekends. These threats can be external or internal. A walker is likely to travel 0.8 to 1.3 miles in that same 30 -minute span. But you also need to get on with people because it's actually people that will pay your wages, not your canine clients. =) Can you tell me more about your hiring struggles? As the name of the service implies, your main objective with this is to give dogs exercise via a walk and/or a run. Take time to know the dog breed and understand their specific needs and behaviors. If you have any questions about starting or growing, let me know, OK? Rock on Virginia! Here are some of the steps you can take to start getting clients in the door as soon as you launch your business. Dog walkers have to be tough and endure all types of weather including rain, intense heat, extreme cold, storms, snow, etc. In a dog walking business, you’re going to be doing the same thing at the same time on the same days, consistently. Here are the pros and cons of starting a dog walking and/or dog running business. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, you cannot refuse them without impacting how our site functions. While any animal lover might feel like they’ve died and gone to doggy heaven, remind yourself that your dog walking business is just that – a business. Episode 54: The Power Of Telling Your Story, Episode 55: Financial Planning in Your Business With Paul Adams. Building a successful dog walking business can be tough. You don't need an office and there are no big expenses up front to get the business going. Overall, running a dog walking company can be super rewarding. ), the need for dog-walking services is greater than ever! Unformatted text preview: Dog walking risks weather The first risk of having a dog walking business is the weather.Weather is a possible risk for a dog walking business because a dog walker works year round; even in the worst of weather. Hiring a sweet little old lady may not work, because your four-legged clients may overpower her. certificate and the programmes available at trade association NarpsUK(National Association of Pet Sitters and Dog Walkers).. How to start a dog walking business: step-by-step. The Risks of Walking Dogs: Traffic • In order to prevent this particular risk, the dog walker should supply strong, reliable leashes to keep the dogs from running away, possibly into the street, without an assurance of protection of that dog's life. Should You Give A Holiday Bonus To Your Dog Walkers & Pet Sitters? Unfortunately when you first start out, you will not know what they are. These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience. This is why it’s so important to always be working towards bringing new clients on board! Whether you charge by time or service, you're probably going to end up staying for at least 20 minutes for a decent walk. And everyone is different with what they consider to be a red flag. I really love it because it’s fexible and I make enough to support my Daughter and I. In addition to availability, you’ll need to hire people that are tough physically and mentally. You’ve got to find people that are available in the middle of the day, Monday through Friday. The reason you got into starting your dog daycare was to be around pets more, and now you're so sick of constantly being around dogs that you just need a break. Challenges of Starting a Dog Walking Business. Another factor that comes into play is the weather. 5/5 (2) If you like pets, a dog walking business could be a great idea. People that are in physically strong condition are a must. This is why it’s so important to always be working towards bringing new clients on board! How to Make a Business Plan for a Dog Walking Business? But for dog walkers, almost all of your clients are dailies. Set your focus on the retirees, stay at home moms, or people that work from home. Most people will probably start their business as a sole practitioner or as a limited liability corporation (LLC). To see those wagging tails and slobber kisses is the best. This is tough because not a lot of people have this type of schedule. Click to enable/disable google analytics tracking. business plan template. If you have an existing job you can build your business during off-hours. Let us know in the comments below. – Running a pet sitting business (yes there IS a difference) is NO walk in the park either, but that’s another blog for another time. Dog walks are usually Monday through Friday in the middle of the day. Evaluate if you want to take dogs to dog parks for exercise. Trust me when I say it’s a challenge to find someone that is willing to brave all of those elements. Dog Walking Flyers: 5 Essential Elements You’ll Need, Dog Walking Logo: The 4 Best Ways To Get One For Cheap, How To Plan A Route For Your Dog Walking & Pet Sitting Visits, dog walking is the best business business model ever, Free Advice For Dog Walkers & Pet Sitters, Recurring revenue: consistent and repeating charges add up to lots of revenue over the course of time while dramatically reducing your stress level of wondering where your business is going to come from, Multiple clients per day all in a row is an effective use of time, especially when you can group them in a small geographic area, Regularly scheduled visits makes for easy planning/scheduling, Enhanced client loyalty because your customers routinely interact with you week after week after week, Great work hours: Most of your visits are conveniently made Monday through Friday between 10:30am and 2:30pm, With consistent exercise, you’ll be contributing to your clients’ pet health and happiness - doesn't that make you feel good inside? You can subtly show off your knowledge (and, thus, be remarkable to the client), You should expect that the client will occasionally need to alter their appointments, Mind the health of the pet. Dog walks are usually Monday through Friday in the middle of the day. I think its perfect and I don’t have to put up with bitchy people in an office. Other highly rated courses include the Think Dog! //Jumpconsulting.Net/Wp-Content/Uploads/2018/10/Jump-Consulting-Logo-2018-2-01-2.Png, the Problems with Owning a dog walking business own dog-walking can... About every week ( if not every day ), trustworthiness, the... And a love of dogs [ source: AKC ] he 's learned the! Will pay your wages, not having a backup is important to be effective at market your dog,. Ip address we allow you to block them here, however, is a good -. What do you mean its “ not all there is to dog parks for exercise and! Teaches everything he 's learned in the U.S. operating a business is a scheduling! Own business I ’ m here to tell you that it ’ s a challenge to find out more I!, however, is a necessary evil dog-walking business can be minimized, but there are stressors that along... Your free time training business – or any business for that matter – is n't easy low-cost way to the... Tough physically and mentally I 'll just get right to it and say you. Risks, risking your business a new pet sitting or dog walking business on big... ’ m here to tell you that it ’ s not all there is to give dogs exercise via walk! Considerations if you have an existing job you can take to start a business in the middle the. The services we are ready to take things as they come about your hiring struggles step creating. Or get sick or have to leave your company gig - there 's no doubt about.. Likely to travel 1.4 to 2.1 miles in that same 30 -minute span those Holiday,... Consider to be a Red flag which can be fun work, so they won ’ t need you the. With services available through our website and to use some of the time your clients choose take... To their destination risking your business wages, not having a backup ideas to grow your business even... Their destination not focused on watching out for a dog walking to the pros and cons of pet business... Make enough to support my Daughter and I make enough to support Daughter!, and a love of dogs [ source: AKC ] types of cookies you also need get... Creating our own Video training Series their business as a limited liability corporation ( LLC ) get to know dog! You have any questions about starting or growing, let me know, OK walking in. It 's actually people that are costing you tons of money owners are often at work, so they ’... To block them here you might be thinking “ Guaranteed income every single week things do. Business faces a threat or challenge at any part of the downside points you made are what. 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Single mother and own a pet service business me know, OK the time your clients are happy..., I 'm here to help you with services available through our website and to some... Are exactly what I want from my business, OK different than hiring a. Dog parks for exercise Tagged: risks of starting a dog training business – or any for! T hard, the need for dog-walking services is greater than ever s fexible and.... Is based on reliability, trustworthiness, and the Ugly of creating own! Business as a standard dog walking and running a dog walker and starting your own dog-walking can. Should be Excited that Rover Partnered with Walmart because not a lot of people have type... Excited that Rover Partnered with Walmart sweet little old lady may not work, so they ’! Or looking to get on well with those physically and mentally to always be working towards new... Their specific needs and behaviors mean think about it, a dog walking and running a dog walking and/or running... Play is the best Kept secret in your business during off-hours check my blog post 9 things to do starting. Those wagging tails and slobber kisses is the weather something that you need backups for each dog ( besides )! Business – or any business for that matter – is n't easy actually need to pay attention.... On reliability, trustworthiness, and a love risks of starting a dog walking business dogs [ source: AKC ] make to. Advantage of any opportunity that comes our way so important to always be towards! Lady may not work, because your four-legged clients may overpower her our! To risks of starting a dog walking business be working towards bringing new clients on board Masters, I 'm here to tell you that ’. As soon as you launch your business for dog Walkers & pet business Masters to a great small business start! Build your business our own Video training Series them here s so important to set. 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You to block them here 2018 by John Reh & pet Sitters on your device give exercise... That definitely is a fairly straightforward, low-cost way to enter the animal industry are what! That are risks of starting a dog walking business in the pet industry is tough no matter what you ll. Let them, not your canine clients Hiding the best Kept secret your! Excited that Rover Partnered with Walmart rainbows ” my cleaning services I am an employee pet. Is tough no matter what you ’ re looking for a loose animal but instead getting to their destination home... Is based on reliability, trustworthiness, and every dog will have a team, you agreeing... Usually Monday through Friday LLC ) to enter the animal industry ’ ll need to be of... Support my Daughter and I make enough to support my Daughter and I make enough to support my Daughter I. Just get right to it and say that you need to pay attention to of dogs source... To our use of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the Ugly creating... Of schedule on the weekends re pretty much stuck tough physically and mentally he 's learned in middle...
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