How to Become a Dog Walker

Dog walkers are involved with pet care by walking dogs for dog owners who are away from home or do not have the time to exercise their own dogs.

Many dog lovers who embark on dog walking as a career or side hustle will exercise a few dogs at once. Their responsibilities will be to clean up after their furry friends, select walking routes that are pet friendly, and tend to any of the dog care needs that arise when the dogs are with them.

Even if a dog walker’s attention is divided amongst several pets, dog walkers need to have the ability to manage and focus so that each pet receives quality supervision, and engagement.

Some dog walkers run their own businesses that offer other pet-related services. Another option is to register and work with a dog care company.

Below we will list some things to consider if you would like to offer dog walking services:

When it comes to soft skills and interests, you want to first and foremost be a dog lover. This role will suit someone who knows, understands, and bonds with pets.

Attention to detail and a level-headed demeanor are also advantageous. Sometimes clients’ dogs can be overwhelming, and you need to be able to calmly problem solve.

Having a dog walker job also demands a lot of energy. You should be fit and energetic, with a love for the outdoors, no matter the weather. Sometimes you’ll need to walk dogs in rainy and cold weather or scorching hot days, so having a cheerful attitude and dedication to your job will help.

A dog walker needs to be comfortable with “all things dogs.” This includes feeding them, cleaning them off if they ran into a muddy puddle, and knowing how to pick up and dispose of dog droppings properly. Understanding how various leashes and restraints work can ease frustrations when wrestling with retractable leashes that operate differently.

You can grow your business and gain credibility by furthering your dog education and training. However, training is not essential. As a full-time or part-time dog walker, potential clients like to know that you’ve embarked on some training that gives you authority with pets.

A professional dog walker will have certifications that enrich their knowledge and help them land new clients. Below are a few certifications that could put you a step ahead of your competitors:

Some states may require that you have a Commercial Dog Walking Permit Application. (Click here to see an example of the permit application for Massachusetts.)

In New York, a small animal boarding establishment permit should be attained by any animal care business. The permit is for any service where animals are not owned by the person sheltering, maintaining, or caring for the animal. The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) issues this specific permit.

Your state may also have leash and dog waste collection laws.

While pet vaccinations concern pet parents, having clarity about the client’s dog’s health is important. For example, if a rabies quarantine order has been issued for a pet, a dog is not allowed to leave its owner’s premises unless “under leash or the control of a responsible person.” It’s essential to become familiar with animal laws in your area.

Bottom line: Call your city or county code office to check your local laws and requirements. They can also let you know if you need a business license.

Protect yourself and your business by investigating insurance options.

Dog walking insurance can cover you in the event of accidents, injuries, loss, legal fees, or damaged vehicles (an anxious pet may chew up your car seatbelt).

While you cannot predict unfortunate events while walking dogs, you can prepare for them. Insurance can help pay for veterinarian care and medical care for yourself or other people and pets who may have been involved in a fight in the park.

Dog walking insurance costs vary based on your business risks, such as:

Business insurance is essential to run a dog walking service with employees. Business insurance typically covers injury for yourself and employees, lost wages, vehicle accidents, business errors, defense costs, or property damage.

You can select various coverage for your business insurance package: general liability insurance, product liability insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, and more. No matter the size of your business, speak to a broker to decide what you need now and in the future should your business grow.

Business insurance costs vary based on your business risks, experience, number of employees, and coverage options.

Tip: Dog walking services offer insurance. If you choose to sign up with one, ask them what protection they offer for various scenarios.

A few essentials in your backpack can prepare you for drama while on the job. Pet owners might provide some things (like their dog boots), but having backup gear ensures that you always have the essentials.

Listed below are some dog walking items that will give you and your pet parents peace of mind for any event:

Below we list some of the top perks of launching your dog walking job:

With dog walking, you can choose to work full-time or as a freelancer. Flexible hours and rates allow you to earn and work as it suits you.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that animal care and services jobs will grow by 33% between 2020 and 2030. This is exorbitantly higher than the average growth rate for occupations, which sits at around 8% for the same period. So not only do you have the potential to start as a freelancer, but you can also grow your business into a full-time gig.

As a professional dog walker, you’ll learn to plan a walking path for each client’s dog, depending on their location. Learning about dog-friendly hiking trails, parks, beaches, and restaurants will help you plan a route and stick to your committed timeslot.

Many studies have proven that bonding with pets can have wellness benefits. Spending time with dogs, gives you the following health perks:

Salary.com suggests that the average wage for dog care service workers as of July 2022 is $16 per hour. Depending on your location, certifications, and experience, some dog walkers can earn up to $24 per hour.

Listed below, you’ll find some ideas on how to discover dog walking jobs.

Start by writing up a business plan. Do you want to work alone, or do you envision hiring employees? You may want to start small if your experience with dogs is minimal. But this does not stop you from having a 5-year plan where you can dream big.

Next, consider the area in which you live. Investigate laws and identifying opportunities and competitors.

Successful business owners start with their inner circle. Freely walk your friend’s and neighbors’ dogs and ask for references. Eventually, when you launch your business, those references can attract new clients.

As well as dog walking, offer house sitting and dog sitting services to increase your work opportunities. Dog owners have to trust you with their pet and sometimes their property. References for pet sitting show that you have real-world experience and are trustworthy. Once you’ve learned the trade, bought some essential gear, and built a positive reputation, you can extend your services to the greater community.

Searching for dog walking jobs may take a little while, so exhaust all forms of advertising to get your name out there. Here are some options for promoting your services:

Sixty-four percent of marketers agree that word-of-mouth is the most effective form of marketing, proving to be even more effective than paid advertising. For this reason, it’s important to network at dog-lover events. Think of pet health expos, dog sporting events, pet adoption events, pet-friendly festivals, or dog and owner fun run events.

Joining a dog walking agency can be a stress-free way to enjoy the benefits of dog walking without the admin of running your own business. Be aware that some gig platforms charge a fee for their service, but it’s a great place to start if you want to be a dog walker or dog sitter.

Rover and Wag! are popular pet service apps similar in many ways for gig workers. For both agencies, you’ll need to be 18+, live in areas where the agency operates, and complete a background check. However, there are a few differences in how you’ll earn, pick up work, and commission requirements.

Below we will review the key features of each agency.

Services: As a Rover dog walker, you can expand your skills by offering other services like house sitting, dog boarding, drop-in pet visits, doggy daycare, and dog training.

Sign-up process: 

Payment: Rover pays gig workers within two days via PayPal or Check.

Commission fee: 20%

Services: Wag!’s services include boarding, dog walking, drop-in pet visits, dog sitting, and dog training.

Sign-up process:

Payment: You will need to set up an account on Stripe. Wag! has a weekly payment period, and gig workers get paid on Fridays.

Commission fee: 40%