How to Become a Dog Walker

As the name implies, a dog walker’s primary job is to walk dogs. However, this seemingly simple activity can include various tasks, including:

• Scheduling walks
• Communicating with owners about their dog’s needs, habits, etc.
• Picking up the dog or dogs from their home
• Transporting the dog to a park, street, or trail
• Walking or running the dog
• Playing with the dog
• Keeping them fed and watered
• Cleaning up after them
• Observing their health and wellbeing
• Protecting them from potential dangers
• Protecting other animals and people from the dog
• Administering medication as needed
• Providing emergency aid if necessary

Some dog walkers may be tasked with additional duties, like grooming, training, or socializing the dog.

Pros and cons of dog walking

Dog walking can be hugely fulfilling for the right person, but it isn’t all easy strolls and playful pups. Keep in mind the pros and cons of dog walking as a job before you commit to pursuing this line of work.

What you can make as a dog walker varies widely based on multiple factors, including:

• The city and state you’re in
• Your qualifications and experience
• Whether you’re employed by a dog-walking service or run your own business
• What additional services you offer

According to Care—one of the leading services for dog walkers—dog walking salaries generally range from $10–$17 an hour, depending on the location. In many cases, your income will also be supplemented by tips.

We talked to Laura Beattie, owner of Laura the Pet Nanny and seasoned pet-care professional. Regarding tips for dog walkers, she said:

“A lot of people will tip. I find that since our clients tend to pay through credit cards, our sitters’ tips have increased. However, some will tip cash. The percentage range is not consistent, though. It might be a couple dollars per walk, up to $10 per walk, or 5%—20% of the bill.”

If you’re ready to embark on a career as a dog walker, just follow these steps.

1. Get the right training, certifications, and education

You don’t technically need to get any particular training, certification, or education to become a dog walker. However, having the right coursework or certification under your belt can make you a competitive candidate for any dog-walking gig and earn you higher pay.

If you’re still in school, consider signing up for classes on animal handling, training, or care. You should also consider business and accounting courses if you plan to start your own dog-walking business.

Training & certifications

Participating in the right training and certification programs can better prepare you to become a dog walker and make you an appealing choice for any pet owner. Here are some programs worth considering:

• Dog Walker Certificate Courses (offered by the International Organization of Professional Dog Walkers)
• International Open Academy Dog Walking Course
• Pet CPR & First Aid certification

Preparations recommended by an expert

Beattie shared her top tips for aspiring dog walkers on skills they should develop:

• Learn dog body language: Beattie told us that this will help particularly with dealing with fearful dogs. She recommends watching YouTube videos featuring dog-calming strategies developed by Turid Rugaas, a well-known dog trainer from Norway.
• Learn basic dog training: “We deal with more unruly dogs than well-trained dogs,” said Beattie. “Walkers need to know ways to walk a dog and keep control without having their shoulder pulled out of its socket or potentially losing a dog.”
• Insist on meeting the dogs first: The first time you see the dogs, their owners should be present. “There will always be a chance that a dog will attack a stranger walking into their home,” said Beattie.
• Join Pet Sitters International: As the name suggests, this is a professional association of pet sitters. They can connect you with many resources for starting a business, as well as material to help you develop your pet-care skills. Beattie also recommended their Certification of Professional Pet Sitting program, which “covers all aspects of care for all types of animals, as well as best business practices as well.”

For similar reasons, Beattie also cited the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS) as another organization you should consider joining.

2. Get licensed

Again, there are no licenses that you’re required to have to be a dog walker. However, there are some licenses you still may want to obtain, including:

• Driver’s license: You may be asked to transport the dogs in your care to local trails or parks, in which case you need to be a licensed driver and have access to a vehicle.
• Business license: If you decide to start your own dog-walking business, you’ll need to file for a business license and adhere to regional licensing rules.

3. Learn your area

Knowing your local area is critical to being a good dog walker. If you’re new to a place, make sure you become familiar with your surroundings before jumping into the business.

Even if you’ve lived in the same town or city for years, you should still become familiar with your local:

• Walking trails
• Sidewalks and pathways
• Dog parks
• Animal control & welfare services
• Bylaws and ordinances about dog walking

4. Join a dog-walking service

One of the easiest and best ways to get dog-walking gigs is to join a dog-walking service. You may even want to join multiple services to line up more work. Here are some apps and sites to sign up for as a dog walker:

• Wag!
• Rover
• Care

It’s also a good idea to check local sites. Try Googling “dog walker [your location]” to find local dog-walking sites and services.

Beattie recommended making yourself available for morning and night walks if you’re walking through a local pet service or your own business. Many dog-walking apps don’t allow you to work during these times, even though they’re in demand by pet owners. This is a great way to score more jobs in a competitive market, especially when you’re just starting out.

5. Start your own business

If you want to take your dog walking to the next level and make this a full-time job, consider starting your own business. This will take a lot of work and research, but you can start with these steps:

• Start a website: Use a website-building service (like Wix or Squarespace) and purchase a domain to launch your own dog-walking business site.
• Start an LLC: A limited liability company (LLC) is a business type that limits your legal liability (in case of personal or property damage), benefits your tax filing, and lends legitimacy to your dog-walking services.
• Get insured: Working for a dog-walking service often comes with the benefit of built-in insurance coverage. However, if you’re starting your own business, you need to pay for your own insurance. Consider business insurance specifically for dog walking or pet care to cover potential catastrophes.

6. Prepare your supplies

Dog walking isn’t as simple as grabbing the dog and hitting the trail. A good dog walker is prepared for all kinds of situations, and a great dog walker goes the extra mile with the right supplies. Here’s what you should arm your dog-walking arsenal with:

• A backpack to carry supplies
• Water
• Poop bags
• Portable water / food bowls
• Leashes
• Collars
• Toys
• Treats (with an owner’s permission)

Beattie added that it’s very important to keep a slip lead in your car as well as a regular leash.

“A leash is great, but a slip lead is indispensable when a client forgets to leave a dog’s collar on or if you have a semi-blind dog,” she said, adding that “it’s easier to lasso them from behind if they are nippy or react to hands near their face.”

7. Prepare yourself

Not only do you need to prep supplies for dog walking, but you need to prep yourself. There are two major steps you can take to make sure you’re safe, comfortable, and ready to take on any dog-walking gig:

• Stay physically fit: Dog walking can be strenuous. Keep yourself physically fit and prepared to tackle difficult walks or runs. Even if running isn’t in the job description, you need to be ready to take off if a dog gets off the leash or bolts out of your hands.
• Wear the right gear: Deck yourself out in the right attire for dog walking, including comfortable walking/running shoes, breathable clothing, and spare weather gear (consider keeping a raincoat in your pack at all times).
• Know your boundaries: We spoke with Amy S., a professional dog walker and sitter, who advises fellow professionals to “trust your instincts and set boundaries with clients to protect your time, energy, and safety.” The situation will likely arise where a client tries to haggle with you, change the terms of your arrangement, or take advantage of you. Be mentally prepared to face these challenges, and know where you draw the line.

8. Advertise your services

Once you get started with dog walking, you’ll want to put the word out about your services. The best place to start is local: ask friends, family, and neighbors if they need or know of someone who needs a dog walker. Then, consider these methods of advertising your services:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• TikTok
• Local radio
• Craigslist
• Bulletin boards
• Handing out business cards
• Fliers at pet stores
• Going to dog parks

If you’re thinking of making dog walking your full-time career, Beattie shared her best tips for serious pet care professionals trying to launch their own businesses.

When we asked what she did to get her start, she said that meeting with the right people and working hard to acquire the right knowledge and skills were important to her initial success.

“I met with vets and pet food stores and volunteered with animal services,” she said. “I watched dog behavior videos, joined Pet Sitters International and became a certified professional pet sitter.”

The takeaway is that if you want to convert your dog-walking gig from a side hustle into your new career, be ready to work hard and have the right attitude.