How To Start A Dog Walking Business

A love of canines combined with wanting a job that makes you your own boss can be had if you know how to start a dog walking business. Besides getting exercise for you and your canine friends, benefits of starting a dog walking business include the possibility of expanding your business to providing overnight dog sitting, a very lucrative move.

To start a dog walking business, you should:

1. Develop a strong business plan documenting how you expect to start up and operate your proposed dog walking business. If you need to raise funds to support your new business, investors are going to want to see that you're serious about the business opportunity and may ask to review your business plan. Include items in your canine walking business plan such as how you expect to get clients, what types of additional services you plan on offering, and how much you expect to make during your first five years in your dog walking business. Make sure you include information about what an alternate plan will be for times when you can't be available to walk dogs, such as if illness strikes.
2. Find a snappy name for your dog walking business and create a logo and business cards. Create a business name that gives a potential client an immediate idea of what you do. If you're not particularly imaginative, reach out to specific businesses that specialize in creating business names and logos. Having your dog walking business cards created and printed by a service specializing in such may be cheaper than trying to piecemeal it out. Have fliers created with your business information and phone number.
3. No canine walking business will be successful without having clients. Once you're ready to officially open your dog walking business, ask friends and family or anyone you meet if they know of people who can use your services. Hang your fliers in places where you might find potential clients, such as veterinarian offices, the dog park, or local pet store bulletin boards. Offer your services for reduced rates at first so you can prove your reliability and honesty to your clients. Ask happy clients for references for future business.
4. Prepare for success by having supplies on hand. Purchase good quality four, five and six foot leashes. Do not buy Flexi leashes or you will have an immediate tangle on your hand if you're walking more than one dog. Have a variety of muzzles on hand just in case you have a doggie client who might not be so nice. Purchase a belly bag and fill it with delectable treats to reward the dogs for good behavior as you walk them.