A dog walking business can be very lucrative and exciting. This type of business is ideal for someone who loves dogs and is very organized. Busy lifestyles of dog owners bring a demand for dog walkers, and you’ll virtually never run out of clients.
Many people are looking to start their own business. For dog lovers a dog walking business may seem like a good idea. If you are thinking about starting your own pet walking business do not quit your day job just yet; learn more about how to start your own dog walking service first.
A love of dogs is not the only requirement to turn dog walking into a business. You must also want to be outdoors, no matter the weather. You should also enjoy working alone and being attentive to detail. Starting a successful dog walking services requires no less due diligence than any other small business. Therefore, if you are sure dog walking is for you, and you have taken the proper steps, then a dog walking business can be both lucrative and satisfying.
Now you need to ask yourself how big your dog walking business will be. How much time do you have to devote to this job? Are you currently working another job? Will you be going to school or handling other family or life responsibilities that will interfere with the amount of time you have for dog walking? How many hours can you realistically devote in a day? In a week? In a month? These questions will help define your business.
If you own or operate a dog walking business then is it imperative that you have dog walker liability insurance. Like any liability cover you need it to make sure you protect your personal assets.
While it is called a dog walking services and you intend to stay within this parameter, it is also important for you to be naturally athletic and strong enough to handle dogs. This is especially true with big breeds that are stronger and can pull you easily like Great Dane, Rottweiler, Bull Mastiff and the like.
Like in every business, you need to create a business plan where all the details-small and big-should be included. Some important aspects of the plan are the logistics, your target market, and your marketing strategy. To start a dog walking service business , you would need dog leashes, a pair of good running shoes, waste bags, some office supplies, dog toys, and the like. Your target market would be dog owners in your community who will be leaving their dogs behind when they go to work or on a vacation or those who are ill. Your marketing strategy, on the other hand, doesn’t have to be grand and expensive but make sure it is effective.
Research area businesses. Check with local groomers and pet stores to see if sufficient demand exists for a dog walking services. Check both newspaper and Craigslist ads. Assess the level of competition. You do not want to launch, only to discover demand is not there or the competition is too keen.
Your start up costs are low. Your expenses will include dog walking insurance and some advertising costs to promote your dog walking service. Your dog walking fees vary greatly depending on where you live. The national average appears to fall between $15 to $20 for a half hour walk, however in some cities this can increase substantially. Group walks will increase your revenue. Depending on how many hours you put in a day you can earn a reasonable income from a dog walking business.
After you’ve gotten your dog walking service business off the ground, you can easily add new services such as pet sitting, dog day care and even basic dog training. These services can generate more revenue — many times with the same clients you already have. Furthermore, depending on the service you are providing, you can work with multiple pets at once, increasing your hourly rate.
The final step to take to increase profits and establish an identity in the community is to market your pet walking business. And there are many ways that you can go about doing this. For example, you can use business cards, flyers, brochures, and even construct your own business website that shows your rates and services.
Kids having part time jobs and businesses no doubt is a good opportunity for them to learn basic skills in performing jobs and being initiated to the value of responsibility and industriousness. There are many jobs and businesses that a kid can start. But if there is a work or a business that they can at the same time enjoy because they are pet lovers is a dog walking business. Just the love of being with dogs will make this business of dog walking a great experience for them and bring them money at the same time.
One honest fact about this business is that most people who venture into dog walking business usually give up within a month. Others give up after six months. It takes a lot of time and work to get clients to appreciate your services and become successful. So always be courageous and do not fret at the first sign of challenges.