13 Dog Walking Business Tips to Be a Better Dog Walker (& Earn More Money)

We spoke to professional dog walker and sitter Laura Beattie, who says that understanding dog body language is the single most important skill for a dog walker. “Not reading a dog properly will get you bit,” she said. “It will help particularly with dealing with fearful dogs.”

If you’re not sure where to start, try YouTube videos. They’re a free online resource that gives you the auditory and visual information you need to put your skills into practice. Beattie recommends videos on calming behavior for dogs featuring expertise from renowned dog trainer Turid Rugaas.

If you’re not already certified in pet first aid, it should be your first priority. You can’t be a good dog walker or pet caregiver without proper training on how to handle a pet emergency.

There are both online and in-person training options. Beattie says that online is a good start, but she recommends Pet Tech’s training courses for in-person certification.

Once you’re qualified, you can add your certifications to your dog walking profiles, business website, and business cards. They’ll set you apart as a professional dog walker, attract higher-paying clients, and give dog owners confidence and peace of mind.

Every professional dog walker should have insurance and bonding. Even if you’re working through a dog walking app that offers some protections, many platform policies only cover the dog, not the dog walker. You should really think of these protections as add-ons to your main plan.

Beattie says you can get an insurance policy for around $140 per year that covers all potential incidents, from the dog attacking other dogs on a walk to lost keys or ruined furniture if you forget to crate the dog when you get back from a walk.

Clients often provide basic dog walking supplies like leashes and waste bags. This is one of the reasons why dog walking is a great side hustle for people on a budget. Nevertheless, to be a truly great dog walker, you should bring your own supplies and come prepared for all eventualities.

Here are some items you’ll want to have in your car or bag when you arrive at a dog walking job:

• Regular leash
• Slip lead
• Dog treats
• Waste bags
• Dog toys
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Decent walking shoes with a strong grip

Beattie warns against using retractable leashes. “They can easily be pulled out of your hands if you aren’t paying attention and the dog is distracted or you are picking up poop,” she said. The sound can startle the dog enough that they run away, leading to potentially disastrous outcomes.

If you’re new to dog walking, you may wonder how important a meet-and-greet really is. Some clients request them, whereas others don’t. But it’s important to bear in mind that these initial meetups aren’t just for the client—they also benefit you.

Dog walking comes with a lot of risks. Safety is a primary concern since you’ll be visiting a stranger’s home. Even if you’re using dog walking apps, these rarely properly vet or screen dog owners. It’s really up to you to do the vetting yourself.

Meet-and-greets give you the opportunity to mitigate these risks by evaluating the dog’s demeanor and attitude, checking for behavioral issues, and getting a better feel for the client’s expectations. This way, you can make sure that the two of you are a good fit, and everyone has peace of mind that both you and the dog will be safe and happy on your walks.

Dog walking may seem like an easy job, but a lot can go wrong. There have been countless news reports and even lawsuits against negligent dog walkers who weren’t paying attention and allowed the dog to escape, attack other animals, or even worse. Don’t let that be you.

“No dog walking with earplugs in,” Beattie warns. Stay alert, and pay attention to where you’re going and what the dog is doing throughout the walk.

If you want to establish a serious dog walking business, you should join a pet care association. These groups offer useful tools and resources, and many also offer certification and training programs that can boost your skills, deepen your knowledge of pet care principles, and familiarize you with best business practices.

Beattie runs a business that offers dog walking and pet sitting services, and she recommends Pet Sitters international (PSI) and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS). “They have many resources for starting a business and learning about caring for all types of animals,” she said.

There are plenty of ways to increase how much you make as a professional dog walker. The simplest and most effective option is to offer additional dog-related services that go hand-in-hand with dog walking.

Pet sitting is probably the most popular side hustle to pair with dog walking. However, there are also plenty of other extra services you can offer to improve customer loyalty, expand your reach, and earn more money from dog walking.

Here are a few examples of services you can offer:

• Drop-in pet sitting
• Overnight pet sitting (in the client’s home)
• Pet boarding (at your home)
• Socialization with other dogs
• Puppy training
• Behavioral training
• Potty training
• House sitting
• Dog grooming
• Dog exercising
• Pet waste removal
• Pet nutrition services
• Adventure excursions
• Pet photography
• Pet taxi services
• Pet errand services
• Special needs care
• Competition training

Expanding your service offerings can land you new clients and increase your earning potential, but it can also add convenience for your current clients and make them more likely to stick with you in the long term. Just beware that some services require additional certifications or training.

In today’s world, a website is basically a necessity for any business. “A website is a must,” Beattie stressed. “But building it yourself will only get you so far if you don’t know how to get it found by search engines.”

While you certainly can create a website for free, there are limitations to what you can do with a free site. Moreover, unless you’re an SEO expert, you’ll need help improving your site’s visibility so that you come up as an option when potential clients search “dog walkers near me.”

When Beattie first started out, she created her own website. While she did have some success getting clients that way, she later had a professional redo the website, which she recommends all pet care professionals do.

Good dog walkers always specify their rates and extra fees upfront—that’s a given. You won’t need to worry much about rates and payments if you exclusively use dog-walking apps since they’ll handle the entire process for you, but it’s a key consideration if you’re running your own dog walking business.

Create a rates list that includes any extra services that a client might ask for when you’re already on the job. This way, everyone is on the same page, and you can avoid having to ask for more money later on.

One way to further ease the stress of the payment process is to have a system in place already that works for both parties. For example, you could ask the client to leave cash in a marked envelope on the table in their house.

For ongoing dog walking arrangements, you could accept weekly or monthly payments by bank transfer or through a payment service like PayPal or Venmo. Just make sure to keep accurate records of the money coming in and out, and be ready to provide your clients with receipts or invoices if requested.

It goes without saying that your clients love their dogs. Some may even feel anxious about leaving their pet in the hands of a dog walker when they’re not around. Taking photos and sending updates before, during, or after the walk is a simple and easy way to pacify any concerns the client has and reaffirm that you’re a good dog walker.

This small bit of effort can improve client satisfaction. Happy clients are more likely to leave you good reviews and tell their friends about their professional dog walker who provides exceptional service. This is ultimately the most effective marketing strategy—and it’s free.

Many great dog walkers will tell you that the secret to establishing a successful and lucrative dog walking business is fostering customer loyalty. One of the best ways to do this is offering discounts to reward your current clients. There are many different types of discounts you can offer.

Example Dog Walking Discounts

These strategies will encourage your clients to keep coming back and refer you to other dog owners they know. They can also help you earn more money and secure more business.

There are many different dog walking apps available, and each of them works slightly differently. Some will charge you commission fees, ranging anywhere from 15% to 50%. Others will charge you a signup fee or membership fee to join. Some will charge both.

Which services you use to find dog walking gigs will play a huge role in the opportunities you get and your overall dog walking business costs. If you want to become a full-time dog walker, you may wish to sign up for multiple apps and use them concurrently.

Some apps are better for quick, one-off walks, whereas others are better for longer-term arrangements. Depending on your location, you may also find that one app is by far the most popular among dog owners in your area.

To find what works best for you, start by reading detailed reviews of the top apps for dog walkers:

• Wag!
• Rover
• TaskRabbit
• Care.com

Of course, you don’t have to use a dog walking platform at all if you want to start your own independent business. Finding clients on your own through your own personal network, local listings or social media groups, or job boards can increase your business profits by saving you money on app fees.