Phew! This article was published more than 4 years ago. Dog walking improves exercise motivation, stress control and community spirit. Click here to subscribe. Learn about salaries, benefits, salary satisfaction and where you could earn the most. Enjoyable exercise — Forget hitting the gym at six o’clock in the evening when every other man and his dog are there; as a dog walker, daily exercise is part and parcel of the job. – Have you ever had a dog get lost or injured in your care? Predictability. Take the time to research the role and carefully consider the ups and downs. You should have good dog handling skills and a thorough understanding of dog socialisation techniques. Most cities have limits on the number of dogs allowed under one person’s control at a time (usually six), as well as how many of those dogs are allowed to be off-leash. Don’t get us wrong; we don’t want to completely turn you off your chosen career, so let’s start with the positive side of being a dog walker. 1. Though dog walkers of course have their appointments they must meet but it certainly is nowhere near like a stuck up 9-5 schedule and it also is often much more pleasant to speak to the four-legged doggy clients then experiencing the newest drama in an office setting. Some information in it may no longer be current. Because there are very few prerequisites (the main one being a love of dogs) for starting dog walking services it is all so easy to think, well it’s only walking dogs how difficult can it be? What did you do? Dog walkers can offer an array of services, from private or semi-private on-leash walks to group outings where your dog is picked up, along with several other pets, and driven to a local park for an off-leash romp. They may also ask for confirmation of vaccination and ifyour dog is spayed or … The Benefits of Being a Dog Walker in New York City. This is a space where subscribers can engage with each other and Globe staff. But they should be enough to get you thinking more carefully about whom you trust with your pet and your home. Do your research, ask hard questions of both yourself and your potential dog walker, and you’ll find a safe, suitable solution for you and your pet. Still super keen on starting a career as a professional dog walker? However, luckily there is a range of low-cost and no-cost ways to advertise your business. You should consider if the insurance is suitable for you and ensure you understand the full details of any product you are interested in purchasing (including inclusions and exclusions), by carefully reading the Product Disclosure Statement or policy wording before buying the insurance. Plus, don’t forget to check out the insurance options to consider. Helps with Weight Control. Naturally, those horror stories are few and far between. "remove":"add"](select.closed),dom.control.setAttribute("aria-expanded",o)}function onToggleClicked(){var l=!isPanelOpen();setPanelState(l)}function onWindowScroll(){window.requestAnimationFrame(function() {var l=isPanelOpen(),n=0===(document.body.scrollTop||document.documentElement.scrollTop);n||l||!allowExpand?n&&l&&(allowExpand=!0,setPanelState(!1)):(allowExpand=!1,setPanelState(!0))});}pencilInit(".js-sub-pencil",!1); // via darwin-bg var slideIndex = 0; carousel(); function carousel() { var i; var x = document.getElementsByClassName("subs_valueprop"); for (i = 0; i < x.length; i++) { x[i].style.display = "none"; } slideIndex++; if (slideIndex> x.length) { slideIndex = 1; } x[slideIndex - 1].style.display = "block"; setTimeout(carousel, 2500); } //, Dog walker Will Brown from Tails of Two Cities Pet Care in Toronto takes an elevator to return Sir Henry, a six-month-old Maltipoo puppy, after walking him alongside his own dog Ripley. as an on demand provider. This information is provided as a guide only and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask your advisor or BizCover. In general though, drama is fairly minimal for professional dog walkers. There is no doubt in my mind that when a customers dog sees you coming through the door that they. I'm searching for a dog sitting professional employment opportunity in Las Vegas, Nevada. Others suffer from separation anxiety and become destructive when left alone, and so require longer periods of supervision and interaction. She works alongside her fur pal Chewie (a border terrier) to deliver information that is accurate and relevant to our readers. ), – What steps do you take when you drop my dog off? Brown specializes in on-leash walks for dogs that don't do well in large group settings. – Do you evaluate dogs for temperament, energy level and size, and group them accordingly? Some dogs with aggression or fear issues can only be walked privately, as a group trip to the park or daycare is beyond their ability to cope. A love of animals, along with trustworthiness and consistent availability, can be a sign that you could be successful in starting a pet-sitting business. ), – What are your references? Meet your actual dog walker – not just the owner of the company – and confirm that he or she will be the same person entering your home each day. (This is not a deal-breaker – accidents sometimes happen. Readers can also interact with The Globe on Facebook and Twitter . However, it’s important to know if they have a plan and appropriate response for an unfortunate situation. The benefits of being a dog walker are tremendous. It’s worth your dog’s safety and your peace of mind. Plus, what happens when your client goes on holidays? Is it the same every day? Comments that violate our community guidelines will not be posted. When you lift up that Dog Lead they are genuinely delighted and excited to go for their walk. You get to set your own rates and hours. Professional dog walking services have a lot to offer American families and households, but it’s always worth looking at how much these kinds of businesses will help busy commuters or others to manage their schedule and provide for their pets while they are away.. Benefits and Disadvantages of Dog Walking Services. Once you’ve decided on a walking service, stay in close touch. Some offer an “on-call” service at short notice if you’ve been kept late at the office or get stuck in traffic. A quick Google search for “dog walker arrested” reveals transgressions ranging from jewellery theft to animal abuse and worse. 1. Anybody can be on the other end of electronic communication, but talking live to another dog owner or expert will give you a much better sense of whom you’re considering hiring. For all its benefits, there are situations where a dog walker is simply not the best solution for your pet. If you enjoyed reading this, take a look at the other posts in this series: Pros and cons of starting a pet sitting business. Additionally, what happens if you injure yourself and can’t walk? Four more tips on how to find a great dog walker. If you are looking to give feedback on our new site, please send it along to, To view this site properly, enable cookies in your browser. Check out these marketing tips for dog walking businesses and pet sitters. Whether it’s creating a website, doing a mailbox drop or advertising in a local newspaper, it’s important to have a plan from the very beginning. A great place to start is by word of mouth – ask local dog owners, your veterinarian or dog trainer which walkers they recommend. What emergency vet do you use? Certainly, picking up poops is not one of the nicest parts of being a dog walker. There are many experienced, caring, and highly-reputable professional dog walkers who would love to enrich your dog’s life on a daily basis. Walking a dog may help you boost exercise motivation, manage stress and build a … The benefits of hiring a pet sitter. Dogs owners facing the “home alone” challenge have two main choices: hire a dog walker to come to their home and take their pooch for a midday outing, or send their pet off to dog daycare, to spend the day romping and playing with other canine friends. We aim to create a safe and valuable space for discussion and debate. BizCover acts as an agent of the insurers in respect of the insurance products offered on the website and not as your agent. Benefits Of Dog Walking Services. That means: If you do not see your comment posted immediately, it is being reviewed by the moderation team and may appear shortly, generally within an hour. However, the job … All-weather walks — As a professional dog walker you can’t cancel your appointments just because the sun’s not shinning and instead it’s raining cats and dogs. Watch it disappear almost effortlessly as you work! Though Rover has recently added their RoverGo service, which also provides on demand services, it’s relatively new and most pet owners are already familiar with Wag! No office politics & drama — Surely no one can be bothered with office politics? It's also a big plus if a dog walker can reference prior work in an animal health field such as employment as a veterinary technician or veterinary assistant. Here are some of the key pros and cons of being a professional dog walker. PEACE OF MIND Rest easy knowing that you have a highly-trained, local pet care expert on your side and at your service. Yes, you might be able to build up a number of regular clients but there’s always the chance of cancellations. As a year-round dog walker, my job isn’t canceled on account of the weather. Flexibility — Okay, so a dog walker will have to adhere to appointment times and you may be expected to start early in the morning. Dog walkers: healthier people with healthier dogs As you can see, regular walking has health benefits for both you and your dog and will help prevent obesity, which is a significant problem in both species. An overweight pet is not a healthy pet. The fact that people are willing to hire a dog walker acknowledges the fact that they understand they can’t give the dog what they need with the limited time they have, and they care enough to pay someone to do it for them. Ask questions – lots of questions. Whether you are thinking about becoming a dog walker or hiring the services of one, it’s a win-win for everyone involved. The Pros Of Being A Professional Dog Walker. are really pleased and happy to see you. Dog walkers may charge higher rates for walking your dogs on holidays. You have the independence to set your own rates, specify what days you’re available (although turning clients away on days you’re not available can be tricky) and set down your rules. However, at the start you’ll just have to make a concerted effort to be nice and bite your tongue! Make sure you look into insurance, such as personal accident & illness insurance, which can cover lost earnings. Alas, you can’t be in two places at once. Independence ­— Running your own dog walking business can be great, providing you set boundaries from the very start. Will the dogs be the same each week? Do any veterinarians or dog trainers recommend you? The average salary for a Dog Walker is $15.21 per hour in Las Vegas, NV. Hiring a dog-walker gives you the assurance that you are providing the best care and ethical practice for your pet. You may even want to consider joining or observing your pet’s walk as it unfolds – whether planned or unplanned. 3. Dog walks are usually Monday through Friday in the middle of the day. For example, the dog you’re walking might get into a fight with another dog. Dog walkers, especially those who offer private or semi-private walks, are ideal for young puppies and senior dogs, who may not be able to keep up with a room full of high-energy beasts. Likewise, the bigger the dogs you walk, the larger the poos to poop scoop. Of course, even if you totally love dogs, being a dog walker isn’t all puppy kisses, wagging tails and sunshine. Some even offer training services, helping your mutt to learn some manners along the way. Stories you don’t want to hear, but need to know about. Thank you for your patience. If you love dogs, but you aren't sure yet if this would be a good job for you, I would like to share some reasons why I believe being a dog-walker/sitter is absolutely the best. One of the major pros of working with Wag!is that you are able to accept on demand dog walks. After all, even the very best jobs in the world have a downside. Expect them not to take your word for the last one – they’ll almost certainly bring a “demo dog” to your meeting to help evaluate your pet’s behaviour. You're work schedule is completely up to you. Be it the pets’ owners, people in your local community or other dog walkers, being a dog walker can be really sociable and lead to some awesome friendships. As time goes by you might be able to offload the less favourable clients and just keep the nice ones. Professional dog walker: PROS. Here are some of the less fun things about being a professional dog walker. Professional poo pick-up — The more dogs you walk, the more dog poos you’ll be picking up. Variable income — Similar to a freelancer, a dog walker’s income can vary. Dogs need regular exercise not only for a healthy body (Kennel Club statistics show that between 30-60% of dogs are overweight) but also a healthy mind. If the … 2. Here are just a few reasons why: It will help you get in shape — and get paid for it. If you need additional help — like feeding the dogs or giving them medication — dog walkers may be able to provide this service at an additional fee. Unless you happen to also offer a pet sitting service, you might miss out on a chunk of earnings. The Dog Walkers Advantages and DisadvantagesA professional Dog Walker Denver must ask to see the confirmation of registration and requestthat you’re pets is correctly tagged. Keep looking. ; Leanne is a professional freelance writer at contentchameleon.com.au. Dog walkers are getting health benefits without actually owning a pet. – What is your policy regarding illness or injury to dogs in your care? If they do not ask questions, require proof of vaccinations (or a veterinary reference letter), and get you to sign a contract, then they’re not a professional. It is already obvious that walking your dog will provide a range of benefits for you and your dog, there is no need to debate that statement as it is a fact. Most dogs need to get at least one walk in a day. Arrange to be home sometimes when your dog walker comes by – pay attention to how your dog reacts (hint: your dog should be happy and excited, and your walker should be calm and help to control and contain that excitement – not encourage it). We all know that walking your dog is an extremely important part of maintaining a happy and healthy dog. Walks improve pet health Just like their human counterparts, pets need regular and consistent exercise to live long, healthy and happy lives. Careful, professional dog walking demands technical skill, physical stamina, and in-depth knowledge of everything from dog behavior to pet first aid to … A dog walking … A professional dog walker won’t mind – because they don’t have anything to hide. That’s much better than the alternative, not walking the dog at all when you’re unavailable. Dog walking companies have risen in popularity over the past several years due to the increasingly busy schedules of dog owners. 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 some of the key pros and cons of being a professional dog walker. By Stephanie Stahl January 17, 2018 at 11:40 pm. Occasionally, dogs get amped up by the midday walk, and find it impossible to calm down upon returning home, leading to misbehaviour caused by boredom or lack of stimulation. This means they are bonded, insured and carry the appropriate business licences and permits for the area in which they operate (ask to see hard copies). (One dog owner tells the story of firing his dog walking service after finding his entire condo covered in dirt at the end of a particularly wet spring day.). Leaving for the office at 7:30 a.m. and getting home 11 or 12 hours later means that unless you’ve taught your dog how to use the toilet, you’re going to need some extra help during the day. There are dogs without any age or behaviour-related problems who are happy to bypass the excitement and energy level of a big runabout with a lot of other pets. Difficult clients — There are likely to be some pet owners that you adore and others that you dislike. © Copyright 2021 The Globe and Mail Inc. All rights reserved. Of course, it’s mighty difficult to prevent ALL possibility of drama. – Will you provide a postwalk report to notify me of anything unusual (such as loose stool, altercations, change in appetite, ingesting foreign objects)? – How many dogs do you have in your care at one time? Today, we’ll examine the pros and cons of dog walkers, suggest questions you should ask of your dog service provider, and most importantly, show you how to tell which option is the best one for your dog. Flexibility — Okay, so a dog walker will have to adhere to appointment times and you may be expected to start early in the morning. A Dog Walking Business – The Pros and Cons Starting a dog walking service is like any other business; you need to consider the pros and cons. Ample Exercise – All our dog walkers understand the importance of daily exercise for dogs and themselves. Professional dog walkers, both individuals and businesses, are paid by dog owners to walk their dogs for them. Answer questions. Aside from that, be sure to take your health and wellbeing as seriously as you do your dogs’. (This question is only helpful if you actually call, not e-mail, the references provided. Welcome to The Globe and Mail’s comment community. Gum boots and rain coats at the ready! I can alter my schedule to meet your needs. 4. Plus, aside from your doggy clients, you’ll get to meet other dogs while out and about on your dog walking route. Consider this: Some dogs, especially young or high-energy ones, need far more exercise than they’ll get on a simple one-hour outing. So if you’re considering a career as a professional dog walker, don’t go into it blind. Don’t get us wrong; we don’t want to completely turn you off your chosen career, so let’s start with the positive side of being a dog walker. Any advice does not consider your individual needs. Owners are more comfortable leaving their animals in the care of those with some sort of veterinary background. We aim to have all comments reviewed in a timely manner. They are a legitimate professional business. Plus, if you plan to expand your business and take on other dog walkers you can always off-load the early starts to your employees! Pet sitters are typically available during normal business hours, weekends, and holidays to take care of animals by taking them for walks, feeding them, cleaning their cages, and more. Life gets busy, and resources get stretched. New friends — Aside from the fantastic fur friends you’ll make, if you’re lucky you’ll also meet some great humans too. If you’re a busy dog owner who works outside the home, making plans to take care of your pet’s daily needs is a continuing concern. (A dog walker is not a substitute for your work as an owner, namely twice-daily walks, with some play and training mixed in.). Some dog walkers will take many dogs for a walk at once, while others will only take a single dog. Other questions include: – Where will you walk my dog? Pros will want to know everything about your dog: vaccinations, behaviour triggers, training you’ve done, allergies or physical restrictions, and especially how your dog behaves around other dogs. Who will look after your clients and how will you make up that lost income? Your dog may be used to sleeping at home alone while you are at work, but it can be oh-so-boring for him. This means that if you use Rover instead of Wag!, you will not have as many options to take on demand walks during flexible times. These introverted pooches simply prefer the company of a walk on their own or with a few close doggy friends. Health. While ads on Kijiji and Craigslist can be a place to search for a dog walking service, avoid ones that say, “I’m a student looking to earn some extra cash …” Your dog and your home deserve a professional who is completely committed to what they do. Nearly 75% of Americans are overweight and childhood obesity is on the rise (close to 20%). Personal Profile: Hello my name is Najah I am 21 years old very responsible. Here’s why: A one-hour walk is usually less expensive than a full day of play. Get the leash! Records are not only good for financial reassurance, but also help your business run smoothly on a day-to-day basis. Find the right one, and both you and your dog will reap the benefits. 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