There are over 76 million pet dogs in the United States.1 And this number continues to increase every year. The pet services industry is also projected to grow from 2022 to 2030.2 So, if you love working with dogs, it might be the perfect time to start a dog walking business.
Starting a dog walking business is often a long process that requires a lot of dedication and patience. There are so many moving parts that you can quickly become overwhelmed if you try to jump in without doing any research. Here are some things to do as you prepare to start your dog walking business.
Before you start
It's important to know your target audience. Be sure to find an area with a lot of pet dogs. Locations with numerous pet grooming salons, dog daycare centers, pet stores, and dog parks are great places to research.
You can also research dog walking services in the area and estimate the average price dog owners can expect to pay for a dog walker. As you gather information, start thinking about what will make your dog walking business stand out from others. Consider unique features that your customers can't get anywhere else.
6 steps to start a dog walking business:
1. Decide on a budget
One of the benefits of starting your own dog walking business is that you can start small and hire yourself as employees. As you get more customers, you can start hiring more dog walkers.
A dog walking business is much cheaper than a dog daycare or grooming salon because you don't technically need a facility to operate it. Therefore, there is no need to worry about finding a facility or paying rent.
However, there are still some important things to consider when building your business budget.
Your budget should include:
- Management fee
- scheduling software
- employee compensation
- Liability insurance
- background check service
- website and marketing
Research the average cost of these items in your area and determine how much you can expect to spend on one-time and monthly costs.
2. Develop a business model
There are many different business models for dog walking companies. Some people assign free dog walkers to walk their dogs on certain days, while others assign dog walkers to specific dogs.
You should also brainstorm ways to interview potential customers. Some dog walking companies may refrain from walking dogs that show some level of aggression due to potential liability issues. We recommend meeting and greeting the dog first to determine if your company can properly walk the dog without risking anyone's safety.
Be sure to also consider the benefits you can offer your customers. Your business can offer special perks like multi-pet discounts and referral bonuses to encourage people to try your business and spread the word.
3. Find scheduling software
One of the biggest challenges you'll face when starting and managing a dog walking business is scheduling your dog's walking route. You need to consider the dog walker's availability and the times when your customers would like to walk their dog. If your business is small and you only have a few dog walkers, you may only need to schedule your own dog walking route. However, as your business grows, you should consider investing in software to help with management and operations.
Fortunately, there are several planning and scheduling software options designed specifically for dog walking businesses. These programs help you track a variety of factors, including customer details, scheduling walkers for assigned dogs, home entry instructions, and more.
Some software includes GPS tracking so clients can see where and how far their dog is walking. It also has built-in communication features, allowing clients to send text messages and call dog walkers without giving out personal contact information.
4. Secure a work address and phone number
As mentioned previously, one of the benefits of starting a dog walking business is that you don't necessarily need office space or equipment. If you want to separate home and work, consider renting a small workspace or office. However, you can start your business from your home office, saving money on rent and freeing up funds for other resources.
Be sure to secure your business address and phone number. This prevents your personal phone number and home address from becoming public information.
5. Hire employees
As your business grows, you can start considering hiring more dog walkers. Look for someone who has experience owning dogs or working in a job that involves working with animals on a regular basis. You should also consider the type of employment your dog walker will have. Dog walking businesses can hire dog walkers as employees or as independent contractors. Each form of employment has advantages and disadvantages.
As your business continues to grow, you may also begin to consider hiring an office administrative assistant or manager, as well as a dog walking manager. Her Office Manager will help you schedule walks and ensure communication with clients remains consistent and reliable. Dog Walk Manager keeps track of all dog walkers and helps you deal with scenarios where dog walkers may not be able to make it to the scheduled walk with their dog.
Safety is a major concern for dog owners, so be sure to collect references and background checks from all potential dog walkers and employees. It also ensures that dog walkers receive proper training and understand how to properly walk a dog and how to deal with emergencies such as a dog accidentally eating something on the ground or running away from the leash. It is also necessary to be able to do so.
6. Marketing your business
Once you have the basics of your dog walking business in place, it’s time to start marketing. Having a website will help you provide information to your customers and make it easier for them to request reservations. A great place to start is her How to Build a Website guide from WebsitePlanet.
Make sure your website has a clean, modern design with an intuitive and user-friendly interface. It's also helpful to place contact and reservation information in prominent locations throughout your website. Many people scroll through her website on their mobile phones, so it's essential that your website is in a clean and fully functional mobile format.
Having a social media presence can also be very helpful in promoting your business. Dog owners will appreciate photos that show how your business operates. It's helpful to have a dog walker profile so potential customers can get a better idea of who your business is.
You can also consider offering grand opening discounts or referral rewards to attract more customers. Online reviews play an important role in attracting new customers. Therefore, you can encourage people to leave reviews by organizing a raffle for people who leave reviews for your business.
final thoughts
There are many perks to starting a dog walking business. You can also start small and hire yourself. Once you have a good reputation, you can hire more dog walkers to help your business grow. You can also meet and interact with all kinds of dogs, and dog walking is a great way to enjoy time outdoors and get some exercise into your daily schedule.
With hard work, dedication, and time, you can build a successful dog walking business. Every dog lover's dream of spending their days exploring a fun neighborhood with friendly dogs could come true.
