Combine business with pleasure!
Animals in people’s homes are more common, and if cats do not need walks, then for dogs, it is vital. Owners often get dogs to have a devoted friend, but they do not always have the opportunity to walk them as often as required. Therefore, the idea of walking dogs for money is quite attractive.
To start making money walking dogs, you need to find paws owners interested in this and organize your free time. At the very beginning, the earnings will not be significant. But if you understand that it is easy for you and gives you joy, you can develop in this direction and increase your income.
How much do you earn as a dog walker
To understand how much you can earn on a dog walking service, you first need to conduct a commercial survey. Find out what prices your competitors have for this part-time job.
Usually, such a service’s price depends on the animal’s size: walking small dogs is cheaper, large dogs- more expensive. It is possible to add additional services, such as feeding or dog training (if you know how to do it), and washing paws after walking.
Working as a dog walker can include additional earning opportunities. There is a price for each type of service. On average, the service’s cost is $ 15, and sometimes earnings can go up to $35-40 per hour.
- If you want this activity to be a side job, you will need no more than 1-2 hours a day. If you want to make this a main source of income you will need offer extra services and be available every day because you never know when somebody can have a birthday or want a free Saturday and Sunday and need your help.
Requirements to get a dog walker job
The main qualities you must possess are a love for animals, self-discipline, and a passion for walking. Before getting started, it is important to learn about animal laws. Dogs can not be walked in all places; there can be restrictions (for example, playgrounds), large dogs cannot be walked without a muzzle. For violation of the rules of walking, the owner of the animal faces a rather severe fine. Also, different regions have their own local requirements, which you also need to know.
You can start walking dogs for money very quickly. Still, to do it efficiently and have a good income, you need to study theoretical issues related to these animals’ lives to understand how different breeds of dogs react in different situations because they are not the same. You must learn the peculiarities of behavior, the level of aggressiveness, reaction to other animals, the subtleties of nutrition of different dogs.
You need to know how to provide first aid to an animal, if necessary since many unpredictable moments can happen during a walk also how to react if a dog shows aggression towards a person or another animal. Those who walk large dogs and those who work with small animals need to know this information. Read books on canine and veterinary medicine. This will add knowledge and confidence to you.
If you find that working with dogs is something more for you than just a hobby or an opportunity to earn extra money, then you can start to improve and develop in this direction further. There are special courses for dog handlers, where they teach how to work with dogs professionally. After completing these courses, you will receive a certificate that will enable you to earn much more. You will be able to train, prepare dogs for exhibitions, and this is entirely more money.
Organization of work with clients
You don’t need an office to walk dogs for money. Your working day begins at the owner’s house. When you meet for the first time, you need to arrive earlier to talk with the owner about the animal’s characteristics and, of course, get acquainted with the dog. It is important to always comply with the time agreements, as every minute is usually precious for dog owners
To attract customers and expand their reach, advertising is very important. You should have your own deals that will draw attention to you. Don’t skimp on the first ad, it should be bright and eye-catching. If you work in flyers, then it is better to distribute them in places that are associated with animals: near pet shops, veterinary clinics, walking areas.
When you meet a new dog, the owner must show you the pet’s passport or veterinary certificate stating that it is healthy. This will protect you from possible unpleasant consequences.
Conclusion
Having started to work as a dog walker, perhaps you will understand that animals are your life’s work, and your work will turn into the main one. What perspectives open:
- Creation of a dog walking network.
- Hotel for dogs and cats.
- Pet shop.
- Caffe for dogs.
- Vet clinic.
- Cleaning of premises where animals live.
All these activities are directly related to animals. Such work can only be done by those who really love them, who enjoy communicating with our furry friends. Perhaps as you develop dog services, you will have ideas for starting a business with other animals..
