Dog Walking: Jobs That Cost Nothing to Start
I had a discussion with a friend this past weekend. He was trying to convince me that in order to start a business today, it costs a lot of money. While I will concede that it can cost a lot of money to begin a wide variety of businesses, there are also many that can be started for very little money.I gave him the example of the dog walker I had run into a couple of weeks ago. While I was eating lunch, the dog walker came down the street with six dogs, let them all free to run around in the grass area, put them all back on their chains and started walking them home in the hour I was sitting there. What are the costs to starting a dog walking business? Very little.
I approached him and asked how much he charged to walk the dogs. He said he charged $20 to $25. Multiply that by 6 dogs and that comes to $120 – $150. Even with taking the dogs to the park and taking them back, I would estimate it would take him 2 hours round trip, maybe three at the very most. I figure he can make 2 trips a day at the minimum ($240 – $300) and possible three trips ($360 – $450) a day. That is certainly a decent income for a job that costs practically nothing to begin.
Photo by manarh.
Marcel Ferri on January 25th, 2007 9:30 am
Hi,I loock for a job the dog walker because i’ll know how to very care,walk if the dogs I have experience as helpe trainne dogs also.So,pleace let me know if i can show my skills.
have a great day
Thank you
bobogi on March 9th, 2007 2:37 pm
Hi,
I’m looking for a job as a dog walker, dog sitting (your home); I love animals, I have previous experience, I am very responsible and reliable.
Thank you.
Eric Shannon on March 10th, 2007 12:08 pm
When I lived in CA, I’d go to the dog parks all the time. There were tons of people trying to get into the dog walking business – most would get 1 or 2 clients, never grow their business, then give up.
Where they all went wrong is that they didn’t market their business. Most would get some business cards created & hope that people would walk up to them at the dog park and hire them. Others would go a step farther by posting some ads on craigslist or the local paper and hope for phone calls. That’s a really passive way of marketing, it would take a looooong time to fill your client list that way.
So if you’re an aspiring dog walker, be more aggressive with your client recruiting. Consider doing some direct mailings. Get a flier/letter created. Either mail them to people in your target neighborhoods, or hire someone to stick them in mailboxes.
Also, ask for referrals! Talk to people at the dog park. Even if they’re not looking for a dog walker, always ask if they know someone who is. Offer them $50 for referring new clients.
There’s a ton of ways to market your business, just be creative and be aggressive with it.
Nicole on July 10th, 2007 7:35 pm
Ive never dealt with a dog that didnt like me. I also have great experience with animals. And I may be the most reliable person you can ever know.
Thank You.
HBF on November 11th, 2007 2:56 pm
For more information on starting a dog walking business or a pack walking business (walking more than one dog at a time) go to http://www.businessformsstore.com/dog_walking.
CORY URBAN on January 16th, 2008 9:36 am
I’M LOOKING FOR A PART TIME DOG WALKING JOB.I’M EMPLOYED NOW,BUT NEED TO MAKE SOME EXTRA MONEY.I LOVE DOGS AND I HAVE HAD A LITTLE EXPERIENCE WALKING THEM IN THE CITY.
amanda on February 27th, 2008 7:07 pm
hey wasup ok i love dogs all kinds i never had a problem with dogs i just want this job becat to use i love dogs n i would love to walk dogs not just to get over it like oh let me walk this dog ill so i can make money ohh nooooooooooooo i would never do anything like that i would pick a job i love so i mean i wanna make money but i wanna just get this job oyouankk th
Bobbie T. on March 8th, 2008 8:35 pm
Hey,
i love animals…..i have a border line collie mix.
And i love walking her. Thats her fav. thing to do. But i would love a job as a Dog walker. I cant get enough of them fun and silly dogs.
Lisa on June 23rd, 2008 5:30 pm
There’s a great guide on how you can start your own dog walking business (part-time or full-time) at FabJob.com at http://www.FabJob.com/dogwalker.asp
hector h on August 26th, 2008 11:33 am
I would like a job as a dog walker.I kno that that job would be a perfect job for me to do because i love animals.growing up i had plenty animal dogs,cats birds fishes etc… please consider me.
kenneth rivera on September 23rd, 2008 7:46 pm
hi my name is kenneth rivera i am looking for a job I have 2 dogs and i walked them everyday so i would like to work on this please email kfr713_123@hotmail.com
Stacy on October 7th, 2008 8:39 am
Go to http://www.startdogwalkingbusiness for a free step by step guide on how to start your dog walking business. Learn about business names, insurance, advertising and more.
LINA CARDONA on October 13th, 2008 1:31 pm
I am interested in the job
I love taking care of dogs and I have a dog that is called balu plays soccer and I have always had dogs since I was very small and I always care me, I want that job, I’m looking for a long time working dogs camianar
because if you give me the opportunity to find study to me and see my work
JF on October 14th, 2008 8:30 pm
All of you asking for a job are brain impared. who said they are offering a job. There is just an article on how little money is needed to start the business. If you can not understand that this is not a job offer, how would you expect to get any kind of job.
Most of the posts above are very unrelated and dumb.
come on people. Who is offering a job?
Patricia on October 17th, 2008 4:50 pm
I am interested in walking dog in my neighborhood which is Chandler Arizona.
Jogger on November 9th, 2008 10:57 pm
I recommend the Dog Walker’s Startup Kit
check out http://www.dogzanny.com
Very professional and polished products!
Daphne on November 24th, 2008 3:59 pm
I totally agree!
There are a ton of people looking for dog walkers and a good amount of people starting to work as dog walkers since it requires so little capital.
Check out http://www.myjambi.com/ there are a ton of dog walkers listed on it.
Hope you find this useful.
- Daphne
Daphne on November 24th, 2008 4:02 pm
dog walking is definitely the way to go! Its really requires little capital.
there are a ton of people looking for dog walkers (as well as dog walkers) on http://www.myjambi.com/, so anyone looking for work should definitely check this website out.
- Daphne
Marcy on January 19th, 2009 10:48 pm
This site has a very professional looking dog walking start-up kit… Worth a look I think.
http://www.dogzanny.com
Jazzy Fizzle on March 6th, 2009 1:18 am
Wagwan whatz going on, i need a job in dog walking, because of the repression my funds are very tight if possible can you help me to find a career in dog walking thank you
Jazzy Fizzle
Ria on May 27th, 2009 5:50 am
I love dogs very very….much!I like walking.running and playing with them,so if u have no time to look after them,contact me!!! I m the most reliable person !!!
pudong,shanghai,China
Don on January 13th, 2010 12:55 am
The toughest part in starting a dog walking business is acquiring that initial experience. Believe it or not there is a skill set that goes along with dog walking, and clients have to trust you and your reliability. I worked for a service before becoming an independent. When I finally did move to from Brooklyn to Queens and started working for myself, I had the experience and the references to make building up my client base much easier.
Also, there definitely are start up costs involved with a dog walking business. Registering your business costs $100 in NYC. Then you’ll probably want to accept credit card payments, which will probably run you another $100 in start up and roughly $30/month there after. Then there are business cards $30-40. SEO is fairly cheap if you’re smart about it but you might still consider paying for one or two really strong directory listings (another $30-$50). You’ll also need to purchase bonding and insurance (something which separates the amateurs from the professionals). The price tag for that is $375 over at PSI (includes membership). Fortunately there is a cheaper option over at PSA which only costs $174, but it is only for insurance and no bonding…not a big deal if you don’t have employees. Legal docs for client sign ups cost another $10-$20. Doggie first aid kit, back up leashes, treats, poop bags….and I guarantee you that I’m still forgetting some stuff. Basically, make sure you have at least $1000 start up capital if you want to do things right.
Best,
Don
Gimme Paw NYC Dog Walking and Pet Care
Don on January 13th, 2010 1:05 am
Also, about the picture used for this article…
The two handed technique is crap. It’s better to keep all the leashes secured firmly on one wrist, that way you have a free hand to pull back individual leashes and get out poop bags.
And how many dogs does he have there, 8? That’s almost a NYC cliche. Most clients have become weary of “pack walks”. My personal max is four. I think it’s a reasonable number that still allows you to make really good money.
Okay, I’m going to be a jerk and make a shameless plug now..haha..
Don Spanton
6465104222
Gimme Paw NYC Dog Walking and Pet Care
http://www.gimmepawnyc.com
gimmepawnyc@gmail.com
11-14 46th Avenue
Long Island City, NY 11101
Johnny on January 30th, 2010 10:48 pm
I use these guys and they definitely seem to have a nice model for a professional dog walking service. NYC dog walker service: http://www.DogWalker.org
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