We are, without question, a nation of dog lovers here in the UK. The number of four-legged friends joining homes across the country rose notably during the lockdown as people sought out the companionship and life-enhancing presence of a dog.
Now that life is back to “normal”, many dog owners have left behind the days of homeworking and need to call upon the services of a dog walker to keep their pet exercised and entertained. Starting a dog walking business is an exciting opportunity and here we’ll “walk” you through all the steps you need to make this active enterprise a success.
The Pet Walking Phenomenon
With 3.2 million new pets joining families over the pandemic, there are now 17 million homes in the UK with pets. Dog walkers offer owners a solution to the problem of leaving their dogs at home while they go out to work. A cheaper alternative to doggy daycare and ideal for dogs who might find that setting stressful, dog walkers can provide pets with physical and mental stimulation by taking them out for exercise.
The use of a dog walker allows pet owners to work longer hours or take on work patterns that would previously have been unachievable. Dog walkers can improve the overall health of a dog through their walks which can, in turn, also improve the dog’s behaviour at home.
Some dog owners find that using a dog walker assists their dog with its socialisation skills, making their pet more relaxed and confident around other dogs. By employing a dog walker, owners may find that it’s much easier to walk and be in public with a reactive dog.
In summary, dog walking has skyrocketed in popularity because it gives pet owners more freedom and offers a range of benefits for the dog.
An Exciting Business Opportunity
If you’re thinking about setting up a dog walking business, you probably want to know what the financial prospects are. According to Glassdoor, dog walkers earn an average of £23,176 per year in the UK, with some dog walkers having the scope to make significantly more.
How much you can charge per hour or per walk depends upon your locality. Naturally, dog walkers in London can charge a premium — but dog walkers in rural locations where there are fewer options for dog owners can also charge a higher rate.
Starting a dog walking business can offer you great flexibility. If the customer base is there, you can take on as many or as few dogs as you like and, within reason, choose your own working hours. This makes dog walking an excellent side hustle for part-time workers, students or retirees who want to remain active.
The exercise aspect of dog walking should be seen as a major benefit for those who have the physical health to safely carry out this level of activity. Fresh air and exercise are known to benefit both your mood and your body. When you couple this with the joy of spending time with dogs, there is a lot of job satisfaction to be had by setting up as a dog walker.
Preparing for the Role
If you’re working out how to start a dog walking business, you’ve probably pondered what the rules surrounding this career are. There are currently no regulations regarding work as a dog walker in terms of qualifications or training.
However, given the complexities of dog behaviour and social interactions, being knowledgeable about dogs is a bonus! Having your own dogs, some sort of animal care experience and a qualification in animal care or behaviour will not only make it easier to manage the demands of your new business, but it will also be a draw for potential customers.
If you’re suddenly starting to doubt whether you could handle striding out with numerous dogs on a walk, there are a few things you could do to prepare for the role:
- Undertake a relevant course at your local college or via an online provider – dog walking and animal first aid are particularly useful qualifications.
- Volunteer at an animal shelter to encounter a range of different behavioural issues and breeds.
- Ask for work experience with an established dog walker and observe the handling of a “pack”.
- Book one on one sessions with a dog trainer when you first start walking dogs. They can guide you on handling techniques and strategies for when things go wrong (such as aggression, fear, fights and escapes).
Setting up Legally as a Dog Walker
Though there may not currently be any regulations governing your role as a dog walker, there are rules you must adhere to if you plan to run a business in the UK. You will need to inform HMRC that you’re setting up a dog walking business and register as self-employed for your self-assessment tax return and National Insurance payments.
You’ll need to keep comprehensive records of your dog walking appointments and corresponding payments. When you record your customers’ personal details, you’ll need to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Records of expendable items for your business should also be kept, so you can offset against your profits and ensure you don’t overpay tax.
As you’ll be working with dogs, you’ll need to be aware of:
- The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 – which states that it is a criminal offence for any dog to be dangerously out of control.
- The Control of Dogs Order 1992 – which states that a dog in public should wear a collar with an identification tag on it.
- The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 – relates to the fines you can incur for failing to clean up dog mess.
- Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 – regards the control of dogs around livestock and notes a farmer’s right to shoot a dog that is worrying their livestock.
Because many dog walkers are given keys or pin codes to enter their customers’ homes, you should apply for a basic Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Set-up Costs when Starting a Dog Walking Business
If you’re wondering how to start a dog walking business on a budget, don’t worry. There are usually quite low outlays associated with this type of enterprise. The costs you are likely to incur are:
- Insurance – to protect both you against claims made by customers and members of the public and your business should you find yourself suddenly unable to work.
- Membership to a relevant governing body such as the National Association of Pet Sitters and Dog Walkers.
- Cost of your annual Disclosure and Barring Service check.
- Website and advertising.
- Fuel or transportation costs.
- Leads, dog treats and water bowls.
Creating a Dog Walking Business Plan
Many people have caught on to the fact that dog walking can be a lucrative and enriching career. This means you may have some stiff competition in your area when you’re starting a dog walking business.
Spending some time writing a dog walking business plan will help you focus your ideas and identify your key competitors. Work out their strengths and weaknesses and then you can choose your unique selling point to stand out from the crowd. Perhaps you’ll offer additional services or provide extra-long walks to tire out energetic breeds.
A business plan also lets you set out your goals, your marketing strategies, financial expenditures and projections, and encourages you to plan for things going wrong. Remember, even with diligent planning, the unexpected can happen. For this reason, alongside a robust business plan, you should also have a comprehensive dog walking insurance policy.
Handling Dogs Safely
Knowing how to handle a group of dogs safely is an important part of a dog walker’s job — for the dogs’ safety, your safety and the safety of the public. Some dog walking associations recommend walking a maximum of four dogs at a time. This number will not only limit the risk of the pack mentality kicking in but also help you keep control in dangerous settings such as on a busy road or next to livestock. Customers will also prefer lower numbers of dogs per walk as they’ll feel their animal is getting more attention and better service.
If you’re setting up a dog walking business, spend some time familiarising yourself with the different breeds within your client base. Do you have dogs that are more prone to aggressive behaviour? Are some physically stronger and therefore harder to handle? Do you have any sight or scent driven breeds that might try to chase rabbits or deer? Do you have smaller, slower breeds which simply wouldn’t be able to keep up with faster, more energetic dogs? Understanding the breeds will help you organise the best walking groups, minimising the risk of any unwanted mishaps.
For your safety, you should always meet the dog with its owner before starting your walking service. By assessing the dog’s temperament, you’ll be able to work out which of your other dogs it would walk well with, allowing you to book the safest time slot.
Even when handled correctly, dogs can be dangerous and act out of character when under stress. The dog walking business insurance you take out will help protect you financially should anything go wrong in the course of your work.
Building your Client Base
When starting a dog walking business, you’ll likely have to spend very little money on advertising because dog walking is one of those services where word of mouth can work very well. Dog owners will see you out and about walking, giving you the chance to speak to potential customers every day!
Because people’s dogs are so precious to them, they’re more likely to prefer a personal recommendation when it comes to a dog walking service. You could offer your existing customers a referral scheme whereby if you gain a new client through their recommendation, they get a discounted or free walk.
Adding decals that advertise your services to the car that you use for transporting dogs can be a great marketing tool when you’re parked up at dog walking spots or arriving at a customer’s home.
Spend some time creating a website for your business (opting for a do-it-yourself site if you’re on a budget). You should also make social media pages to help you post in local groups. Print some professional fliers and business cards to give to local pet shops, vets and community noticeboards.
In this competitive field, you need to create a brand that tells potential clients what makes you different. Try to incorporate your unique selling point into the logo, business name or taglines that you use on your online presence and paper marketing.
Insuring your Business
If a customer’s dog is lost, injured or loses its life while in your care, or if a member of the public is hurt or their personal property is damaged as a result of your dog walking business, you could have a costly claim made against you.
Dog walking insurance can protect your business by offering:
- Public liability – to deal with claims made by members of the public.
- Professional liability – to deal with claims made by your customers for loss or damage relating to negligent services or advice.
- Employer’s liability – for dog walking businesses that employ other members of staff.
- Care, custody and control of animals – which covers the accidental injury or death of an animal in your care.
You could also add cover for any stock and equipment you hold or to protect any business premises. Including personal accident cover can offer great peace of mind, too.
If you’re thinking about how to start a dog walking business without risking your finances, the right pet business insurance will help. At Park Insurance, we’ve been working with small businesses for decades, creating bespoke policies that meet the unique needs of the enterprise. Get in touch with our friendly experts today to see how we can keep your business safe.