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Your Guide to Starting a Profitable Dog Walking Business
Starting a dog walking business is an exciting venture, but it requires careful research and planning. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential steps to launch your dog walking business successfully.A step-by-step guide to start your own dog-walking business
Get some experience:
The best place to start if you don't have much experience but want to set up your own dog walking business is to ask your dog-owning friends and family and ask if they would consider using your dog walking services for free to allow you to gain experience, or ask your local boarding kennels or rescue centres if you can help for free, they are usually pleased to have extra hands to help out.
Market Research:
Is there is a demand for such services in your specific area?
You need to investigate; research can be carried out online by examining what other existing businesses are present in your area, explore prices, business names & services offered. If there aren't many competitors, this could represent an opportunity to enter the dog walking industry in your area. Even if there are already established dog walking businesses, this indicates that there is a demand for these services.
Consider identifying a Unique Selling Point (USP) to differentiate your business from competitors. For instance, offering one-to-one dog walking services, home boarding for specific breeds that you have extensive knowledge about, or adding additional services like drop off and pick up for home boarding or holiday cover like watering plants and taking in post.
It's crucial to understand the demand for pet-sitting services in your area and analyse your competition to identify opportunities to stand out.
You need to investigate; research can be carried out online by examining what other existing businesses are present in your area, explore prices, business names & services offered. If there aren't many competitors, this could represent an opportunity to enter the dog walking industry in your area. Even if there are already established dog walking businesses, this indicates that there is a demand for these services.
Consider identifying a Unique Selling Point (USP) to differentiate your business from competitors. For instance, offering one-to-one dog walking services, home boarding for specific breeds that you have extensive knowledge about, or adding additional services like drop off and pick up for home boarding or holiday cover like watering plants and taking in post.
It's crucial to understand the demand for pet-sitting services in your area and analyse your competition to identify opportunities to stand out.
Insurance:
Pet Business Insurance is essential and a legal requirement by local authorities for Pet Sitters and Dog Walkers for home boarding. NarpsUK has an affiliation with Pet Business Insurance and our Silver and Gold members receive a 25% discount, dog walking insurance prices start from £83.00.
Policies can be found on our insurance page.
Policies can be found on our insurance page.
Dog Walking Business Course:
Consider taking a Dog Walking Business Course, holding a certificate or qualification for an accredited course will not only teach you everything you need to know start up and run your dog walking business but also you will gain credibility within the industry and install confidence in your potential clients. NarpsUK offer online courses, see pet sitting and dog walking business course.
In the meantime buy some books, read online articles and join forums about dog walking to give yourself a good insight into what exactly is involved in running a dog walking business.
In the meantime buy some books, read online articles and join forums about dog walking to give yourself a good insight into what exactly is involved in running a dog walking business.
Forms & Contracts:
When starting a business, it is crucial to have the necessary forms and contracts in place to safeguard both your interests as a business owner and the rights of your customers. NarpsUK offers silver and gold memberships that include all the essential forms, service agreements, and contracts required for operating a business effectively.
These agreements are conveniently formatted in Microsoft Word, allowing for easy customization to incorporate your specific terms and conditions. Additionally, you can personalize these documents with your company logo and other pertinent business details.
Ensuring that you have well-drafted forms and contracts is essential for establishing clear expectations between you as a business owner and your clients. By utilizing the resources offered through NarpsUK's membership packages, you can streamline the process of creating legally sound documentation tailored to your business needs.
These agreements are conveniently formatted in Microsoft Word, allowing for easy customization to incorporate your specific terms and conditions. Additionally, you can personalize these documents with your company logo and other pertinent business details.
Ensuring that you have well-drafted forms and contracts is essential for establishing clear expectations between you as a business owner and your clients. By utilizing the resources offered through NarpsUK's membership packages, you can streamline the process of creating legally sound documentation tailored to your business needs.
Advertising and Marketing Strategies for Dog Walking Business
When potential clients search for "dog walker" on Google or other search engines, it is essential that your business appears in the search results. Utilizing free listings on platforms like Google My Business can help improve your online visibility and attract more clients to your dog walking business. These free listings are most effective when linked to a professional website that showcases your services and expertise.
NarpsUK offers valuable resources to its members, including information sheets on branding, marketing, advertising, and social media. By becoming a member, you can access these resources to enhance your online presence and attract more clients to your dog walking business. Additionally, NarpsUK provides a 7-page profile (mini website) to its members, which can be used as a URL on free listings and featured on their postcode search facility. This exposure through our platform can help drive more business to your dog walking services.
In conclusion, leveraging free listings on online platforms and utilizing resources provided by organizations like NarpsUK can significantly boost the visibility of your dog walking business and attract more clients in need of pet care services.
NarpsUK offers valuable resources to its members, including information sheets on branding, marketing, advertising, and social media. By becoming a member, you can access these resources to enhance your online presence and attract more clients to your dog walking business. Additionally, NarpsUK provides a 7-page profile (mini website) to its members, which can be used as a URL on free listings and featured on their postcode search facility. This exposure through our platform can help drive more business to your dog walking services.
In conclusion, leveraging free listings on online platforms and utilizing resources provided by organizations like NarpsUK can significantly boost the visibility of your dog walking business and attract more clients in need of pet care services.
Criminal Record Check :
A Basic Disclosure Criminal Record Check is required by any pet sitter or dog walker who is holding keys.
This is also a requirement by most insurance companies. A Basic Disclosure check can be obtained for a cost of £25 from the gov.uk website. The links to this are also provided in your NarpsUK account area.
This is also a requirement by most insurance companies. A Basic Disclosure check can be obtained for a cost of £25 from the gov.uk website. The links to this are also provided in your NarpsUK account area.
Business Plan:
There are many free 'business plans' available on the internet, a potential business owner should always write a business plan to ensure clarity, direction and strategic planning for their new business venture.
Managing your bookings with Dog Walking Software:
Pet sitting software will make running your business much more effective by giving you access to a dog walker's management system that lets you manage client & pet details, bookings, invoices and showing you a timetable schedule of current and future bookings immediately.
Our member's database also allows you to print out your daily, weekly or monthly schedule as well as seeing this on an app on a smart phone thus making management clear and simple and allowing you to make your professional pet sitting business more efficient and more profitable. The NarpsUK software is only £12.00 a month (or included with our Gold and Bronze package) and is perfectly set up to maintain all aspects of your business – why not try our 2 week free trial for our software
Our member's database also allows you to print out your daily, weekly or monthly schedule as well as seeing this on an app on a smart phone thus making management clear and simple and allowing you to make your professional pet sitting business more efficient and more profitable. The NarpsUK software is only £12.00 a month (or included with our Gold and Bronze package) and is perfectly set up to maintain all aspects of your business – why not try our 2 week free trial for our software
What other services could I offer?:
You might decide that you would like to offer other services as well as dog walking to boost your income, there are many other services that fall within the pet sitting industry for example:
Pop-in Services:
These services involve short visits to the client's home to check on their pets, feed them, and provide companionship. This could include cat sitting or dog sitting where you visit the pet at scheduled times during the day.Home Dog Boarding:
This service entails hosting pets in your own home overnight while their owners are away on vacation or business trips. It provides a more personalized and home-like environment for the pets compared to traditional kennels.Doggy Day Care:
In this service, pet owners drop off their dogs in the morning and pick them up in the late afternoon after a day of supervised play, socialisation, and care. It is ideal for pet owners who are busy during the day and want their dogs to have company.House Sitting:
House sitting involves staying at the client's house while they are away to take care of their pets, water plants, collect mail, and ensure the security of the property. It offers peace of mind to homeowners knowing that their pets and home are being looked after.Pet Taxi Service:
This service involves transporting pets to vet appointments, grooming sessions, or any other destination they need to go when their owners are unable to do so themselves.Business Skills:
Without some fundamental organisational and business skills, your new dog-walking business will fail. You will need to consider a business name, a business bank account, a website, transportation, a key storage system and financial records. Basic dog walking software will be invaluable to create your clients’ bookings and record payments etc.
Organisations such as Business Gateway (in Scotland / Business Link in England) and Narpsuk provide help & support with all these things for free, both online & via local seminars & workshops.
Organisations such as Business Gateway (in Scotland / Business Link in England) and Narpsuk provide help & support with all these things for free, both online & via local seminars & workshops.
Trustworthiness:
Dog owners are looking for someone they can trust when they seek out a dog walker; they want openness, transparency, reliability and commitment. You will need fairly good communication skills because although you know that you have all of the skills & qualities required and have a great love of dogs, a new client will not know this and will be sceptical until you can put their minds at rest by showing them that you have a good reputation with great customer feedback.
Make a folder that will contain your insurance certificate, your home boarding licence if you offer home boarding as a service, your criminal record check certificate, any training course certificates you hold, your membership certificate to a Trade Associaton - NarpsUK and of course some customer feedback as well as some photos of the dogs you have serviced.
Make a folder that will contain your insurance certificate, your home boarding licence if you offer home boarding as a service, your criminal record check certificate, any training course certificates you hold, your membership certificate to a Trade Associaton - NarpsUK and of course some customer feedback as well as some photos of the dogs you have serviced.
Join NarpsUK
Joining NarpsUK as a dog walker offers numerous benefits that can significantly enhance your business and professional reputation. Some key reasons why you should consider joining NarpsUK include:
By joining NarpsUK, you not only benefit from these advantages personally but also contribute to promoting responsible pet ownership and raising industry standards as part of an esteemed association dedicated to the welfare of pets. Join Now
Inclusion on a Database of Registered and Insured dog walkers:
By becoming a member of NarpsUK, you will be listed on a comprehensive database of registered and insured dog walkers. This listing enhances your visibility to pet owners seeking reliable professionals, ultimately attracting more clients to your business.Assurance of Quality Care:
NarpsUK requires background checks on registered members, reassuring pet owners that their pets are in safe hands. This commitment to quality care helps build trust with clients and sets you apart as a credible and trustworthy pet sitter.Support and Assistance:
As a member of NarpsUK, you can access valuable support and guidance in resolving any issues or disputes that may arise. This support ensures a positive experience for both you and the pet owner, enhancing your professionalism in the industry.Professionalism and Credibility:
Being a registered and insured member of NarpsUK boosts your professionalism and credibility as a pet care provider. This distinction can attract more clients, as it instils confidence in potential customers about the quality of service you offer.Access to Resources and Training:
NarpsUK offers a range of resources and training materials to help you improve your skills and stay updated on industry best practices. By continually enhancing your knowledge, you can deliver exceptional services to the pets under your care.Networking Opportunities:
Joining NarpsUK connects you with a community of fellow pet care professionals, providing networking opportunities that can lead to collaborations, partnerships, and knowledge sharing. Building relationships within the industry can open doors to new business prospects.Professional Forms & Contracts:
NarpsUK provides professionally designed forms and contracts tailored for pet sitters, streamlining your business operations and ensuring clear communication with clients. Access to these resources saves time and demonstrates your commitment to professionalism.Business Management Software:
NarpsUK offers software designed to streamline administrative tasks in managing your pet care business efficiently. From scheduling appointments to invoicing, this software allows you to focus more on delivering exceptional care to pets.By joining NarpsUK, you not only benefit from these advantages personally but also contribute to promoting responsible pet ownership and raising industry standards as part of an esteemed association dedicated to the welfare of pets. Join Now
The law on dogs
You should be aware of the law & legislation and your responsibilities.
- Dogs Act 1971
- The Control of Dogs Order 1992
- Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (section 3)
- Animals Act 1971
- Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953
- The Road Traffic Act 1988
- The Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010
For a breakdown of the relevant sections in all these acts, and for more information visit the Kennel Club website.
For information specific to Scotland visit The Scottish Government website.
As well as this legislation, you should check with your local authority for any by-laws and dog-restricted areas local to you, some local authorities require dog walkers to be licenced.
There are many additional factors to consider before starting your business, such as pricing, dog-walking insurance, documentation, pet-sitting software, and so on. NarpsUK can assist you with all of these issues and more, we are here to assist and support you as you start and build your business.
NarpsUK also offers many other benefits to existing and new dog walking & pet sitting businesses.
Discover how NarpsUK can help you start, grow, and manage your dog walking or pet sitting business.
Our e-brochure includes everything you need to succeed, whether you're just starting out or already running a business:
Frequently Asked Questions
In most areas of the UK, you do not need a licence to start a dog walking business. However, some local councils require permits, especially if you walk multiple dogs at once. It's important to check with your local authority for specific regulations in your area.
To start a dog walking business, you typically need:
- Public liability insurance
- Reliable transportation
- Basic dog walking equipment (leads, harnesses, waste bags)
- A business plan
- Contracts and client forms
You may also consider training courses to build credibility.
Startup costs are relatively low. Most people can start with between £150 and £400, including:
- Insurance: £80–£150 per year
- Equipment: £50–£200
- Marketing: £0–£100
Costs may vary depending on your services and location.
Yes, insurance is essential. Public liability insurance protects you in case a dog is injured, causes damage, or injures someone. Many clients will also expect you to be insured before hiring you.
Yes, you can start with no formal experience. Many dog walkers begin by walking dogs for friends and family or volunteering at animal shelters. Over time, you can build confidence, gain testimonials, and grow your client base.
Dog walkers in the UK typically charge between £10 and £20 per walk. Depending on how many dogs you walk per day, you could earn anywhere from £800 to £2,000+ per month.
You don't need formal qualifications to become a dog walker in the UK. However, completing a dog walking or pet care course can improve your knowledge, build trust with clients, and help you stand out from competitors.
You can find your first clients by:
- Offering services to friends and family
- Listing your business on Google and local directories
- Posting in local Facebook groups
- Asking for referrals and reviews
Building trust and visibility is key when starting.