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 at 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 at 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 at 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 at 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 at 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 at 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 at 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 at 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 at 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 at 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 at 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