Anybody have a dogwalking business?

[rowdy ridgeback]

I am thinking of starting a dogwalking business just for my neighborhood. I live in a very large neighborhood and I think at least every other house has a dog. I am a stay at home mom and have a lot of time on my hands. Does anybody else do this? Please let me know and give me some pointers. I was thinking $5.00 for a half hour walk. Too high? Too low? I think I would only charge $2.50 for a second dog.

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

I walk one dog. I charge $5.00 for anywhere from a 1/2 hour walk to a 1 hour walk.

 

[Zoom]

I just started one (I also do petsitting) and I'd say you are charging way too low! My prices start at 15.00/half hour and 2.50 for the second pet. That seems to be about the nationwide going rate.

 

[rottiegirl]

I am also thinking about doing the same thing, even pet sitting.

I am interested in what Zoom has to say. She should know how it works.

 

[rottiegirl]

I just started one (I also do petsitting) and I'd say you are charging way too low! My prices start at 15.00/half hour and 2.50 for the second pet. That seems to be about the nationwide going rate.

Man, you must make some good money.

 

[thewhitewitchone]

I've been a dogwalker/Pet Sitter full time for going on two years. I charge $15 per 20-30 minute walk/visit.
My advice...learn all you can about it (there are liabilities and more to it than you may think) and above all...get insured!
Good luck!

Pam

 

[Zoom]

Man, you must make some good money.

That's the hope anyway. It's waaay too early to tell.

 

[rottiegirl]

That's the hope anyway. It's waaay too early to tell.

So how exactly do you get a business like that going?

 

[rowdy ridgeback]

I was only going to do it for my neighborhood. I know my neighbors wont pay $15 for a half hour. We live in Fort Worth TX. Neighborhood is about 70 grand a year. Young families. I think every other house has two or more kids. A lot of stay at home moms.

 

[Zoom]

Get insured
Draw up contracts
Advertise!!

 

[RetrieverLove]

Emma goes with a dogwalker. It's 15 dollars a day and the actual walk varies anywhere from 35 minutes to 1hr 15 (really depends on the weather) however she is gone for much longer because he picks her up as well as several other dogs and drives to a park.

I think it would be an amazing occupation and I wish you luck getting it started. Keep us posted!