🦮 Turn Leashes Into Liquidity: How to Start a Profitable Dog Walking Business
Want to get paid to hang out with dogs? Here's how to turn your passion into a legit dog walking business.
Sometimes the best business ideas are the ones we overlook.
Take a second and consider how many friends you have that own dogs. Probably a lot, right?
Dogs are the most owned pet in the US, UK, Germany, Japan, and China.1 In the US, an estimated 65.1 million households own at least one dog.2
But most of us wouldn’t consider starting a dog walking business because it seems too good to be true. Is it really possible to earn a living from hanging out with dogs? (Spoiler alert: The answer is yes).
Dog Walking Businesses Have High Demand
If you’ve ever owned a dog, you know how much of a commitment it is. Dogs typically need a lot of training when you first get them, and a lot of attention, including two walks a day, forever after that.
If you don’t work from home, ensuring your dog gets the daily walks they need can be very challenging, especially if you have a long commute or want to make plans after work.
This is why dog walkers are critical! 97% of pet owners consider their pets to be a part of their family3 and most of us will do anything for our family. If our dogs need someone to walk them daily, we’ll gladly pay for it. If our dogs really like their dog walker and we feel very safe trusting them with our dogs, we’ll pay even more!
Dog walking is a great business opportunity for anyone who loves dogs and wants to move around outdoors rather than sit inside hunched over a laptop all day.
Dog Walking Businesses Have Strong Earning Potential
The average dog walking business in the US earns $236K a year.4 That’s a solid income, especially considering that most dog walkers take several dogs at once so they typically only have to work a few hours a day.
For example, the average cost for a 30 minute dog walk in the US is $30.5 Let’s say you walked five dogs at a time and did four slots daily (20 clients total). Each slot would earn you $150 ($30 X 5) and all four slots would earn you $600 ($150 x 4).
That’s $3000 a week or $156K a year with only 4-5 hours of work each weekday including travel time.
You could easily scale that by increasing the number of dogs you walk and offering overnight boarding when your clients travel. You could even hire other dog walkers to work for you to increase your client list further.
Today I’ll walk you through exactly how to start a profitable dog walking business, including how to get your first customers.
Table of Contents
How to Turn Your Dog Walking Brand Into a Reputable Business That People Trust
How to Acquire Your First Customers (Even If You’re Brand New)
How to Build A Strong Brand for Your Dog Walking Business
Building a strong brand for your dog walking business is essential because so much of your business will rely on word of mouth. It should be easy for existing customers to share your brand name and for new potential customers to look you up online.
Dog Walking Business Names
Creating the perfect name for your dog walking business can be a fun and creative process.
Start by defining your brand’s unique selling proposition. Consider what will differentiate your dog-walking business from competitors.
Will you be focused on a specific region?
Will you specialize in dogs with special needs or behavior issues?
Will you be available at the last minute when others require more notice?
Will you cater to designer dogs and the high expectations of their owners?
Will you provide a mobile app where owners can book walks and you can share photos from the walks? (It’s easier than you think with vibe coding.)
As you think through how your service will stand out, write down any words that come to mind related to your offer.
Next, think about what would resonate with your target audience. For example:
If you specialize in dogs with special needs, you’ll want to focus on building trust with potential customers. Your brand should make them feel like their dog will be well cared for despite the challenges.
If you’re going to cater to owners of designer dogs who are likely wealthy, you’ll want to position your brand as high-end, using colors and words that convey a cool or classy vibe rather than, for example, cute and quirky.
If you want to focus on a specific geographic location, consider what words and images are associated with that community so customers will think of you as their neighbor and know you’re conveniently nearby.
Next start brainstorming dog walking business name ideas. Put your notes from your unique selling proposition and your target audience together, and consider potential names incorporating these ideas. Write down as many as possible before moving on to the next step.
Filter your list and identify your top choices. Go through your list and rule out names that won’t work. Check for the following:
Does it make sense with my unique selling proposition?
Will it resonate with my target audience?
Is it short and memorable? (This is very important!)
Is the top-level domain for your region (like .ca for Canada or .com for the US) available? (I use Namecheap for this).
Get feedback from your target audience. If, after going through this whole process, you still have more than one name to choose from, share them with people who would make great customers for your dog walking business and ask for their feedback. Then choose the most popular one!
Example Dog Walking Business Names
Here are some sample names to give you an idea of how your name can communicate what your brand is all about.
Trail Hound Adventures. This would work great for a dog walking business specializing in big dogs that need a lot of activity. This name would signal to potential customers that you will take their dogs to spacious outdoor areas where they can run around, explore, and have fun, using up a lot of energy before coming home.
The Bushwick Bark Brigade. This name would be perfect for a dog walking business in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Dog owners in Brooklyn would know that it’s a local, convenient option and the “bark brigade” part of the name conveys the idea that dogs will walk together in groups where they can make friends and play with each other.
The Canine Concierge. This name would work for a dog walking business focused on providing a very high level of service that can be customized to the unique needs of each dog and their owners.
Generative AI Prompt for Dog Walking Business Names
Finally, if you’re struggling with name ideas, try using generative AI, like Google’s Gemini, to help brainstorm more ideas for free. Here’s a prompt you can use to get started.
I'm starting a dog walking business that will specialize in [describe your unique selling proposition] for [describe your target audience]. Can you help me brainstorm some ideas? I want it to convey [describe the brand attributes that are important] and it should be short and memorable. Here’s a specific example.
I'm starting a dog walking business that will specialize in dogs with behavior issues and other special needs for busy dog owners who would rather be able to walk their dogs themselves but cannot and need to find someone they can trust to care for their dog like their own. Can you help me brainstorm some ideas. I want it to convey trust and integrity as well as how special all dogs are and it should be short and memorable. Based on this prompt, Gemini gave me 23 possible names including:
Unique Leash: Celebrates the individuality of each dog.
Gentle Gait: Emphasizes a compassionate approach.
Tender Trails: Highlights the delicate care provided.
The Nurtured Walk: Focuses on the caring aspect.
Special Strides: Directly addresses special needs.
Adaptive Paws: Focuses on your ability to adapt to the dogs needs.
Heartfelt Hounds: Conveys both care and affection.
If you want even more ideas, tell Gemini which ones you liked best and ask for more similar ideas.
Designing a Logo for Your Dog Walking Business
Once you have your dog walking business name, it’s time to create a logo! Many people think logos must be expensive, but you can easily create a professional-looking logo for free using Canva.
Remember, your logo doesn’t need to be perfect when starting out; you can always upgrade it later.
As you design your logo, consider your unique selling proposition and target audience. Then, choose colors and imagery that resonate with them.
For example, if I was designing a logo for Trail Hound Adventures, I might use an icon of a big dog that’s happy or running, and I might incorporate trees or colors of the forest like green and brown.
But if I were designing a logo for Canine Concierge, I might create a more minimalist logo with just a dog outline that uses classic colors like navy blue to signal a more upscale service.
Dog Walking Business Cards
Business cards are handy for growing a dog walking business. You should always have them on you so you can hand one out anytime you meet someone who might need a dog walker.
You can design business cards directly in Canva and then have them printed and shipped to your door. This is the easiest option if you’ve already designed your logo in Canva and their prices are competitive.
Magnetic business cards are great for giving to anyone you’ve just done a dog walk for because you can keep your brand on their fridge where they’ll see it every day. This will keep your brand top of mind so they’ll think of you the next time they need a dog walker. When they have guests over, their guests may notice it too!
Just like business cards, you can design magnets directly in Canva and have them printed and shipped to your door.
Establishing Your Dog Walking Business Online
It’s crucial to have an online presence for your dog walking business. At minimum you should have a website and an Instagram page.
Dog Walking Business Website
It’s important to have a website for several reasons:
This is where you’ll share important information about your services and how potential customers can hire you.
A website is available anytime, so you don’t need to be awake or available for potential customers to get questions answered.
A website signifies that you run a real business that dog owners can trust.
A website helps you appear in search engine results when potential customers search for a dog walker.
Dog Walking Business Instagram Page
Having a Facebook and Instagram page for your dog walking business is also a good idea. Instagram and Facebook are the best social media networks for a dog walking business to focus on for several reasons:
They are widely used. Facebook has the most users out of any social network and Instagram has the third most users (YouTube is second).6
They cover a broad demographic. Facebook can help you reach an older audience while Instagram can help you reach a younger audience.7
You can publish the same content to both. If you post using Meta’s Business Suite,8 it’s very easy to publish to both networks with the same amount of work as one.
They lend themselves well to visual content. You can post cute photos of dogs and share tips and advice that dog owners would appreciate.
By building an audience on social media, you are extending your sales funnel so that potential customers can learn about your brand before they need to hire a dog walker. Once they do, they may immediately visit your website rather than going to Google.
How to Turn Your Dog Walking Brand Into a Reputable Business That People Trust
Starting a dog walking business can be as simple as posting a flyer in your neighborhood and getting paid in cash. But if you want to build it into a sustainable long-term business, rather than just a side gig that earns you a little bit of cash in the short-term, there are several steps you can take to enahce your brand’s reputation.
Dog Walking Business Insurance
One of the smartest things you can do as a dog walking business owner is get pet care insurance. Pet care insurance signals to customers that your business is legitimate and they be protected if things go wrong.
But even more importantly, pet care insurance helps protect you if things go wrong. Despite the best intentions, things sometimes do go wrong, unfortunately, and you need to be prepared and protected.
Pet care insurance typically provides some combination of the following:
Animal Bailee Coverage. Coverage for your business if you are found legally liable for injuries pets sustain while in your care, custody, or control.
General Liability. Coverage for damage pets cause to you or others while under your care.
Veterinary Care. Coverage for unexpected vet bills you incur while pets are under your care (usually up to a certain dollar amount).
Equipment Coverage. Coverage for damage to equipment caused by pets under your care.
There are several options on the market including:
Pet Care Insurance (Most common)
If you already have a relationship with an insurance company, you may want to ask your broker what options they can provide for pet care insurance.
Incorporate Your Dog Walking Business
Consider incorporating it if you want to make your business even more reputable and sustainable. Incorporating has several benefits:
It helps signal that your business is reliable and trustworthy (and less likely to disappear overnight).
It helps reduce your liability risk by separating your personal and business assets.
It gives you access to more favorable tax structures, so you can keep more of what you make.
I typically recommend that most people validate their business and make some initial sales before incorporating, but every business owner should make their own assessment based on their unique circumstances.
Get Certified as a Dog Walker
These certifications can demonstrate your skills and experience and build credibility in the pet care industry. There are quite a few options for getting certified as a dog walker.
National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS) Certification
NAPPS certification provides a comprehensive understanding of pet care. This certification is highly regarded in the pet care industry and it covers pet health, nutrition, behavior, and business management.
Pet Professional Guild's Dog Walking Academy
This program focuses on professional dog walking practices, including handling challenging behaviors and ensuring safety. It aims to equip dog walkers with the knowledge and skills to handle various situations and provides a DN-CPDW (DogNostics – Certificate in Professional Dog Walking) designation.
Red Cross Pet First Aid Certifications
The American Red Cross offers a dog first aid certification. The course will equip you with the skills needed to handle medical emergencies and even help you learn to notice when something is “off” with a dog under your care.
How to Acquire Your First Customers (Even If You’re Brand New)
Getting your first customers in a new business is always the hardest. Try to remember that everyone starts from zero; getting your first customers just takes some hustle. Once you get a few, you’ll start building momentum and acquiring your next customers will be easier.
First, you should try to build as much credibility as possible.
Mention any steps you’ve taken to build your brand’s reputation.
Have you done any training or gotten any certifications?
Have you incorporated your business?
Do you have pet care insurance?
Highlight your experience working with dogs (even if not professionally).
Do you have any dogs yourself? Have you owned any in the past?
Have you ever fostered dogs or volunteered at a shelter?
Have you gained experience with your friends’ dogs?
Ask friends with dogs who know and trust you to write testimonials for your business.
Post them on your website.
Feature them on your social media accounts.
Ask your friends to post them as reviews on Google and other review platforms.
Post photos of you with dogs, whether they’re your own or your friends.
Once you’ve established your credibility, it’s time to go out and find your first clients. No matter which tactics you try, remember to focus on your unique selling proposition and highlight your credibility.
Post In Community Groups (Free)
Find relevant community groups on Facebook, Reddit, Nextdoor, or any other platforms you know of. For example, look for neighborhood groups on Facebook, local dog owner groups on Meetup, and city groups on Reddit.
Wherever it’s allowed, share your service with a link to your website and any relevant details.
Post Flyers In Your Neighbourhood (Basically Free)
If you can access a printer, you can post your ads around the neighbourhoods you’re targeting for free. Create a flyer about your dog walking service and include your website URL, email address, and phone number. Once again, you can design your flyer for free using Canva. If you don’t have a printer you can use at home or at work, public libraries often provide free printing.
Post your flyers on poles, community boards, and in local businesses that allow it.
Run Ads in Local Media (Low Cost)
Many communities (towns, neighborhoods, etc.) have local newspapers that charge minimal advertising fees. Since they are hyperlocal and only read by people in the community, they can convert quite well and have a great return on investment. Once you get size requirements for your ad, you can design your ad for free in Canva.
Share similar information to your flyers and make sure to include all your contact information.
Create a Profile on Rover (Low Cost)
Finally, you can also try to get your first customers from a pet sitting marketplace like Rover. For a quick hack to get started, create a profile with all your credibility signals and then ask your friends to “book” your services and leave you a review (you can give them the money back later).
Creating a profile on Rover costs $49 and they will take a 20% cut of any pet sitting fees you make, but they offer a great way to get your services in front of many potential customers who might not find you otherwise.
Each time you dog walk from a Rover booking, leave your client a business card and let them know they can book directly through you in the future.
You also don’t need to limit yourself to Rover. There are other pet sitter marketplaces you can join, including Wag!, Care.com and Bark.com, just to name a few.
Start Your Dog Walking Business Today
Building a real and sustainable dog walking business takes more than just passion and love for dogs. You need to build a credible brand, develop an online presence, and hustle to get your first clients. But by putting in the work and blending your passion with professionalism, you'll be well on your way to your own thriving dog walking business!
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To endless possibilities,
Casandra
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