dogwalkers

United States
March 2, 2013 9:47am CST
I've thought about becoming a dog walker, not only to earn extra money but because I love dogs and my husband doesn't want to own one (our last dog had to be put down). Is there anyone out there who has experience as a dog walker? Do you have to be licensed and get insurance and all that other business stuff? How did you find your clients - newspaper ad? Is it lucrative, at all? Or, does it just obligate your entire day as you wait for the next walk time? I'd appreciate any advice you have to give. Thanks.
2 people like this
7 responses
@stringer321 (5643)
• Kiryat Ata, Israel
2 Mar 13
In my country, I have never seen so far that a dog walker needs a license. They all just take the dog out for a walk. I personally was a dog walker for a week for my neighbor's dog. She offered me some money, but, you have to consider that it's not supposed to be so much money. How much time do you spend walking a dog in a single walking ? 20 minutes ? I loved my own dog and I used to take him for a walk everyday even 4 times a day for 20 minutes each. I took my neighbor's dog on the way. It was only a total of 1 hour and 20 minutes so, how much will it be for a week ? How much money can it be per day ? I don't think it's so much. But, the walking itself is very relaxing, makes you social and it is fun and healthy to walk. That's an extra value you don't have in many other jobs. There is a website with a section called "mi panuy" (a Hebrew for "who is available ?") people offer themselves for tasks for a certain payment, including dog walking. Almost no one needs that offer. So, I hope people will pay you a good amount and that you won't need money if you want to save money from that work.
• United States
2 Mar 13
Thanks. I agree with you about the benefits I would receive. I walked my dogs at least 3x per day. I loved going to the dog park to let them run. I get real sad when I see dogs sitting around their houses all day while everyone is gone. They get lazy and fat. I bet they're lonely, too. I'm not looking to make a fortune, just use my time well. And, do something I love.
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
2 Mar 13
Being a dog walker or a pet sitter must be a lovely job to have. When I was a teenager together with a friend I walked five terriers. I loved taking them for countryside walks. We got given two pounds each for doing that. We knocked at some houses and asked. That family said yes. If you are good at haircuts you might be able to cut dogs fur. I have two miniature poodles and it costs 40 pounds to have their hair cut.
• United States
2 Mar 13
I think the haircuts are out, but maybe there's something else I could do. I'll think about it some more. Thanks.
@mikeley (318)
3 Mar 13
When i was younger i had a part time job as a dog walker and the way it started was with me knowing someone who had a dog and one day i asked her if she would like me to take her dog for a walk, then it became a habit and she used to pay me every time to walk her dog, mind you i was only 12 so it was pretty awesome :D
@inu1711 (5285)
• Romania
7 Mar 13
I don't know much about being a dogwalker, as I don't walk other dogs but mine. Well, I used to take my friend's Poodle for a walk once in a while, but I haven't done this for years. I just wanted to say that if you love dogs and want do to this job, go for it! I think it's great to earn some extra money doing something that you love to. Just one advice I can give you: if you decide to be a dogwalker, don't walk more than two dogs at a time. This way you can enjoy your activity, and the dogs will enjoy it, too. If there are more than two dogs walked at the same time, it won't be a pleasure to walk them, on the contrary, it will be a disaster.
@Pegasus72 (1898)
7 Apr 13
You can make some good money doing this depending on where you live and how many dogs you can fit into your schedule. Sometimes you can even pick up some dog sitting along the way.
• Canada
2 Mar 13
I personally do not walk dogs but my cousin does,and she loves it. I think she only walks dogs from people who she knows and I am pretty sure she does not have insurance or any other business stuff. She has two dogs she takes care of and has even taken them for a week at a time (if the clients go away). She works full time at another job and she has no pets herself which I think is why this works.
• United States
2 Mar 13
Thanks for your input. I've taken care of a lot of dogs and for as long as three weeks at a time. The biggest problem I've had is dogs not liking each other. Most of the time, dogs get along well, but once in awhile there's a real conflict.
@mariaperalta (19073)
• Mexico
2 Mar 13
Ricki 911 does that, and it seems like a great way to make extra money.