Dog Walker

Dog walking is super beginner-friendly, and it’s a booming industry. Nearly 1 in 5 US families adopted a dog during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to increased demand for dog walkers, especially as people return to work in offices.

If that wasn’t enough, this side hustle attracts dog lovers and nature lovers for several other reasons:

• Get paid to play with dogs: For many dog walkers, the biggest appeal of the job is getting paid to play with dogs. You get to bring a bit of joy to their lives while having fun yourself.
• Improve your physical fitness: Dog walking is a great way to clock in a few steps while getting paid. If you love the outdoors, then you’ll probably find the work to be very enjoyable.
• Minimal requirements to get started: Unlike many other jobs, you don’t necessarily need a degree or any special training to start dog walking. This makes it a convenient option for people from all walks of life.
• Low upfront costs: You don’t need to spend any money upfront to start walking dogs for money. In many cases, the dog parent will even provide dog walking supplies for you.
• Pairs well with other side hustles: Dog walking gigs pair well with other side hustles that require traveling from place to place, such as mystery shopping, using photo inspection apps, and delivery driving. If you plan your route efficiently, you can maximize your earnings across all your side hustles.

Is dog walking profitable?

Dog walking isn’t necessarily the most lucrative side hustle, but you could pull in decent earnings with the right strategy. In terms of how much dog walking pays, you can expect to earn somewhere in the range of $10–$30 per hour from a dog walking side hustle.

Dog walkers work for local dog parents in their community. The job involves traveling to the client’s house and taking one or more dogs out for a walk for a specified amount of time. You don’t need a degree, certification, or experience to become a dog walker.

There are two main ways to start a dog walking side hustle.

Option 1: Use dog walking apps

The gig economy has radically changed the dog walking industry, making it easier than ever for people to book on-demand dog walking services. By signing up for one of the leading dog walking apps, you can instantly tap into a huge user base and immediately begin picking up dog walking gigs.

Here are the top apps you should look into:

• Rover
• Wag!
• Fetch!
• Holidog
• PetBacker

These digital platforms connect dog walkers and owners. This is the easiest and fastest way to start a dog walking side hustle since you can get your first job right away without any marketing. The drawback is that app fees and competition can limit your earning potential.

Rover and Wag! are currently the leading dog walking apps in the US, so they’re the best places to start work as a dog walker.

Option 1: Start your own dog walking business

The other way to make money dog walking is to start your own dog walking company. This takes more effort and involves higher startup costs, but it’s ideal if you want to become a full-time independent dog walker.

To get your dog walking business up and running, you need to first build a website and use local advertising strategies to find clients. It can take a while to build a client base, but running your own business can be more profitable in the long run than relying on dog walking apps.

To give your dog walking business the best chance of success, follow best practices for how to be a good dog walker.

You don’t need much to start a dog walking side hustle. The exact requirements you’ll need to meet ultimately depend on your clients or the apps you’re using to find jobs. Here’s a rundown of what you might need to start walking dogs for money.

Necessary dog walking equipment

You can’t start a dog walking side hustle without a few supplies. Some clients may provide leashes and other basic supplies, but this isn’t something you should count on.

Instead, it’s a good idea to come prepared with the following equipment:

• Leashes
• Dog collars and harnesses
• Waste bags
• Portable or collapsible water bowl
• Good walking shoes
• Weather-appropriate outdoor wear
• Dog treats

In addition to making your job go more smoothly, having the right equipment will help you ensure that the dogs in your care (and your clients) are left satisfied with the services you’ve provided.

Background checks

Many dog walking apps require dog walkers to pass a background check as part of the registration process. In other cases, a background check is merely encouraged but not required.

If you’re running your own dog walking business and finding clients without the help of gig apps, then you’re less likely to need to undergo a background check. However, some clients may request a background check before they agree to let you walk their dogs.

Do you need a dog walking certification?

You don’t necessarily need any licenses or certifications to be a dog walker. However, getting certified in pet first aid or taking a general course on dog walking can boost your chances of getting picked by clients.

Dog walking certifications are particularly beneficial if you’re running your own dog walking business. In this case, you may also be wise to get a business license.

You can get trained and certified in pet first aid in just 1 day, so it’s definitely worthwhile. By contrast, general dog walking certifications can take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks to get.

Dog walking sessions can be as short as 15 minutes or as long as 1 hour or more. You may get one-off gigs from clients who are temporarily going out of town or recurring jobs from clients who work full-time jobs away from home. Pay rates are generally calculated per walk, depending on the duration and number of dogs.

Like the case with any other caregiving role, dog walkers take on a lot of responsibility. They’re expected to ensure the safety and well-being of the dogs in their care during each dog walking session. For this reason, you may need to undergo a background check or get insurance to work as a dog walker.

Common challenges for freelance dog walkers

Dog walking is relatively simple, but it still comes with a few challenges:

• Competition: You’ll probably be competing with lots of other dog walkers, and starting out can be tough since clients tend to rebook the same walkers they’ve worked with in the past.
• Commuting: Traveling to and from gigs can take up a lot of time, effectively reducing your actual pay per hour.
• Responsibility: You’re fully responsible for another living being, and there’s always a risk that the dog may get loose and run away or get injured, sick, or worse while under your watch.
• Building a client base: For some people, it takes a while to start getting regular dog walking gigs. People are less likely to take a chance on a new dog walker than to hire one they’ve used before, so you need to build trusting relationships to make a steady income.
• Vetting process: It’s common for dog walking apps and clients to require a background check. Additionally, you may be expected to do complimentary meet-and-greets, which take time and effort.
• Low earning potential: Dog walking gigs generally offer low to moderate pay. Additionally, it’s difficult to consistently land enough gigs to earn a full-time living.

Dog walking is a competitive field. For the best chance of success, you need to take steps to present yourself as the best dog walker around.

Use multiple platforms

When you’re first starting out as a dog walker, it’s important to focus on building connections. Using multiple dog walking apps can help you cover more ground. Even if you’re starting your own business, signing up for a dog walking app can help you build experience, make connections, and fill in gaps in your schedule.

Be available on weekdays

Many people who need ongoing dog walking services are full-time workers. For this reason, you’ll have a better chance of getting gigs if you’re available during weekdays. If you already work a full-time job, you could look for dog walking gigs near your workplace that you could do during breaks.

Plan your routes

Unless you live in a highly populated neighborhood full of dog owners, you’ll need to do a bit of traveling to get to each client’s home. Without your own mode of transport, it’ll take you so long to get to each gig that it might not be worth it for you.

Wear comfortable shoes

As a dog walker, you’ll be doing a lot of walking. It’s important to wear comfortable shoes. You should also check the weather conditions each day you’re working to ensure you’re dressed appropriately.