How To Land Dog Walking Jobs

By Kolby Shepherd


Starting out with random dog walking jobs is a great way to get enough experience to start your own dog walking business. Starting a dog walking business isn't all that difficult, and if you love being around dogs, then it might be for you.

Whether you just want to be a casual dog walker or start your own dog walking business, there are really only two things you need to do. The first is be a genuine dog lover. If you love dogs, then dog walking will be a great fit. The second thing is to be a people person. Both of these things are important in order to be a successful dog walker because you will have to interact with not only the dog, but the dog's owner. If you aren't a people person, then you'll have a hard time finding clients.

There are several things you need to keep in mind when you go out and try to get dog walking jobs. You need to think about things such as:

How much you're going to charge. It's important to think about the rates you're going to charge clients to walk their dogs, because there are several variables you'll encounter. First, the standard dog walk is usually thirty minutes. However, some of your clients will request walks as short as fifteen minutes, and some will request longer walks, sometimes longer than two hours. You need to decide what you're going to charge based on how long the customer want their dog walked. By having a plan before you start talking to customers, you will appear more professional and get more clients.

Another thing to consider is what other types of services you'll offer. Some dog walkers offer clean up services or basic obedience training in order to land more clients and differentiate themselves from other dog walkers. These types of services can get you higher-end clients that are willing to pay more for premium services.

You also need to decide beforehand what type of schedule you will follow. You'll get the most business if you're open to dog walking five days a week, and even more if you're willing to work on the weekend. But, it is your business, so if you don't want to work on certain days, you don't have to. You should also keep your schedule organized so that you come across as professional to prospective clients.

You should also decide if there are any types of dogs that you're not willing to work with. If you have a hard time controlling really large dogs, it is up to you whether you will walk these kinds of dogs or not. Some dog walkers avoid doing business with small dogs, and some decline service to large dogs. Again, it depends on what you're willing to do.

Indeed, dog walking jobs can be truly fun and fulfilling. In fact, it's not quite exactly a job because it lets a dog lover like you have a rewarding time with some newfound canine friends. Not only is it an enjoyable job, it is also a potentially lucrative business once you have yourself well-established in the field.




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