If you have always wanted to start a pet related business, then you may want to consider the dog walking business. I do what I would expect and want for my own pets. You can also offer to dog walk or pet sit for friends and neighbors as a way to build your experience and references. Without a transition plan, most would-be dog walkers either never make it to full time, or jump too soon and find themselves in financial hot water. Not sure what in yet.
Starting out small will give you a sense of whether or not this is something you truly want to do. It is the duty of the dog walker to ask for these. I am one of the toughest people I know. In addition, do your homework on statistics, and check with your local town clerk to see how many licensed dog owners there are. Before just going out and soliciting everyone with a dog for business, take some time to figure out if there are any breeds you are less comfortable around.
Create a business card and logo for your dog walking business. If you have a type of leash that you prefer, maybe you want to use that. Network with your clients and potentially other businesses who may be interested in working with you. The competition available is most likely those within the same locality, and anyone looking to stay above competition would have to consider sweetening the services offered to dog owners. Sometimes the best advertising is a catchy, memorable name.
Don't undercut viciously; after all, you want to stay in this industry, not be cold-shouldered by your fellow dog-walkers. Many dog sitters plan on each in-home visit lasting at least 30 minutes so they can interact with the pets, giving them some affection, and face-to-face time. Whatever the case is, it is important that a full payment for a comprehensive insurance package be made. A niche could help your business stand out from the crowd. The fact that we want to become one of the leading dog walking services business brand in the industry in the whole of the United States of America makes it highly necessary for our organization to deliberately build a well — structured business from the onset. Suhosky recommends doing some background research.
Some of the training and qualifications you might choose include animal first aid, animal behaviour, and animal care. Irith trains through The Sophisticated Dog, her Los Angeles based dog training company. Compare the revenue this business is making against what you think you could do on your own to determine whether or not purchasing an existing business is a better option than starting one. That last question is easy: Yes, it is. A decent pair will make the new physical stressors much more manageable.
Whatever you do, don't risk damaging it by abusing your powers. It's not wise to jump without establishing goals such as revenue projections, marketing strategies and hours. Before beginning your career as a professional dog walker, you'll need to know which breeds get along with one another, how to handle an aggressive dog, your local dog-walking laws, and your city's layout. Your legal responsibilities will differ depending on which state you live in. Our ranks the top website builders that offer free trials. Even if your plan is to go big and start a bona fide dog walking business, it's best to begin with walking dogs in your neighborhood to understand how it works and familiarize yourself with the process. This is due to the fact that customers have more disposable income to spend on their dogs, and that dogs are considered part of the family.
Use their sample budgets and business plans to create your own. And to grow your business and get your name out there, you need a basic understanding of marketing. A computerized calendar is an excellent way to go, particularly if you can download your calendar to your Blackberry or cell phone so that you always have it with you as you go from client to client. This might not sound too endearing for those looking for a good income but for those who find a sense of satisfaction on the simplest of things, this is good advice. Also be prepared to negotiate on price with your clients. If there is no one competing, then use the internet to get some idea of the costs for your region.
Professional dog walkers are often gotten locally, or via online referral service. Whichever one works best for you is fine. This is a business that can be started in any country, provided that dogs are accepted in such regions and majority of the populace are gainfully employed. At first you may not know how much time you will need between appointments when scheduling, invest in a good watch with stopwatch capabilities and keep track of everything until you can gauge accurately how much time you will need between appointments. Then take a look at what other professional dog walkers are charging. Search online for local dog walking businesses, and check places like Craigslist and other online classified sites to see how many people are offering dog walking services.
The cost is only a few hundred dollars and could save you a big legal headache down the road. Thanks for sharing your experience. It also received 17 testimonials from readers, earning it our reader-approved status. Make a List of Gear and Equipment You'll Need This is an often overlooked section by aspiring dog walkers. Enlist the help of others that have a good grasp on the endeavor, can get you through the red tape, and form a solid business plan. Discuss with the owner why she is selling and review her financial records and tax returns for the previous two to three years.