Turning a Hobby into a Business: Becoming a Dog Walker

Many dog lovers do not realize that they can take their love of canines and start dog walking business. Dog walkers can earn income while doing something they enjoy. It’s very important that the dog walker know a great deal about the animals they exercise. Taking the job seriously will help you grow your business.

With all that being said, how do you begin turning your love of dogs into a dog walking career? Here are some suggestions on turning your hobby and/or passion into a business:

Commit to Available Times Each Week

Come up with a schedule that works with your existing commitments. For example, if you have a job or attend classes, your dog walking career will have to work around these things. Make sure you do not spread yourself too thin and only commit to hours that you can comfortably work with.  Dog owners will also appreciate your reliable schedule as you get into a routine.

Find Dog Walking Clients and Jobs

If you’re going to make a living walking dogs, you are going to need to have enough clients to support your business. You can meet other dog owners in dog parks, pet stores, and other pet friendly places. Let your friends know about your new business, and word of mouth advertising will be helpful. You also may want to set up a website and advertise on a website like DogWalker.com.

Learn About Canine Behavior

Dog walking doesn’t require a degree, however a good dog walker will take an active role in learning about canine behavior. This information is invaluable as you handle multiple dogs that come from different backgrounds. Also keep in mind you may encounter other animals and canines as you walk. Knowing how to read dog body language could help you avoid a dangerous situation. Learn from experience and a few good resources so you know how to handle many different canine personalities and expand your dog walking career.

Set a Reasonable Dog Limit

Obviously, walking more dogs at once will earn you more income. However, a newcomer to the dog walking profession should not expect to handle a large number of canines while learning. Doing so could have dire results which could be at best, an uncomfortable time walking, and at worse, an escaped or injured canine. Consider how many dogs you have walked in the past. Keep in mind size, weight, strength and energy levels should be factored in as well. One large, energetic puppy may be nearly unmanageable for you while three small adult dogs may be fine.

Take Business Classes

Running a business on your own isn’t easy. You’ll need to keep good accounting records, probably start a company (maybe LLC for example), invest in equipment, and do other things that business owners need to do. Many community colleges offer courses for people to learn how to start a company, and there are also online courses and schools available. In addition, an organization such as dogTEC can be helpful.