Starting a dog walking business can be an excellent way to make money in your spare time. It can even become a full-time job for some, provided you offer a highly desirable service and appeal to an under-served market. You’ll need to run your dog walking business as professionally as any other business you might launch.
There are some things that every professional dog walker will need for their venture to be a success. In addition to being good with animals, you’ll need marketing and sales skills and an understanding of what pet owners want from their dog walkers.
A Catchy Name
The name of your dog walking business will need to be catchy and memorable. It is a good idea to choose a name that shows customers immediately what your business is about. Choose something simple and effective that emphasises your skills with animals. Names that involve puns are often popular for services that cater to pet owners.
Comprehensive Insurance
You’ll need insurance to operate your business safely and legally. It is a good idea to research the best insurance available for dog walkers. This will protect you, your customers, the dogs you walk and third parties in the event that something goes wrong.
A Love Of Animals
If you plan to work full time around dogs, a love for animals will be necessary. Your first priority should always be the welfare of the dogs in your care. Learning about animal behaviour can help you market yourself as a skilled dog walker. You could even consider offering additional services like dog training to make your business more attractive to prospective customers.
A Professional Website
No matter the size of the operation, every business needs a professional website. A website is a valuable tool to help you market your dog walking service. It should provide information on all the dog walking services you offer and a breakdown of your pricing structure. It is best to have your website built by a professional web design agency. Visionsharp web design agency Manchester is an excellent example of the expert service you should be looking for.
A Unique Selling Point
A unique selling point (USP) is critical to help you attract customers to your dog walking business. Consider how you can make the experience for your customers and their pets different to other dog walking businesses. As mentioned above, you could offer dog training services while a customer’s pets are in your care. You could also provide boarding service or combination dog and housesitting services.
A Competitive Pricing Structure
It is a good idea to research the going rate for dog walkers in your local area. You should not undercut other dog walkers by too much, or you risk hobbling your own ability to make profits. Price competitively but fairly so that pet owners know they are getting excellent value for money.
The Right Equipment
You will need harnesses, leads, muzzles, toys, bowls and food at a minimum. Consider the essential items for dog owners and ensure you have enough of each. It is best to talk to owners if you don’t own a dog to ensure you have all the equipment needed.