Professional dog walking is a highly sought-after job and side hustle due to its potential for a flexible schedule and the chance to earn money while spending time with and taking care of dogs. For anyone who loves pets, it is a dream job.
Before embarking on a career as a dog walker, it is essential to consider whether it is financially beneficial despite the enjoyable nature of the job.
Our discussion will revolve around the topic of the average earnings of a dog walker and the factors to consider when choosing between working for a mobile application-based platform or walking dogs independently. This article will delve into these inquiries and more.
Key Factors That Impact Your Income as a Dog Walker
The price structure of your dog walking business will be determined based on the following key factors, as is the case with any contracted service:
- Location: What’s the average price dog walkers in your city charge?
- Experience : What special skills and qualities can you offer?
- Duration of services: How long will your visits be? Will you work part-time, or full time?
- What will your costs be? Will you have to pay commission fees?
- Platform of service: Will you work independently, with a local service, or with an app based company?
Location: What’s the Average Price Dog Walkers in Your City Charge?
Location is paramount, as per the commentary of real estate professionals. In Boise, Idaho, dog walkers will command lower rates compared to their counterparts in New York City, due to the pricing in the area corresponding to the economic climate.
Conduct research on your competitors to determine the income of dog walkers in your vicinity. Explore online resources such as Craigslist and Nextdoor, or connect with nearby companies as a potential client and inquire about their rates.
Experience: What Special Skills and Qualities Can You Offer?
The income you can anticipate earning is directly linked to your level of experience, regardless of your area of expertise.
Owners consider their dogs as beloved family members, making it essential to prioritize their safety, affection, and well-being. Enrolling in certified dog training courses can greatly enhance the value of your dog walking services.
If you acquire particular skills and knowledge, you can provide exclusive services at a premium rate. For instance, if you obtain certification for training dogs to walk properly without pulling on the leash, you could charge more for addressing that specific behavior while walking dogs.
Market All Your Dog-Related Services
An additional effortless approach to make some extra money during your walks is by promoting any exclusive services, such as:
- Trail Running
- Hiking
- Beach Walks
- Single Dog Walks
- Group Dog Walks
- Grooming + Walk
Charging an additional fee for running as a service is justifiable due to the higher amount of effort involved and the added benefit of staying fit.
Additionally, there exist enterprises that promote unique services such as Polly’s Adventure Walks located in Portland, Oregon, which presents 2.5-hour unchained expeditions in the wild for $40.
If you have professional grooming experience, you could consider offering extra incentives to clients, such as including a comb or wash during their dog walking service for an additional charge. Use your imagination when brainstorming these bonus options.
How long will your visits be? Will you work part-time, or full time?
Dog walkers usually work as self-employed individuals and receive payment for their services on a per-walk basis, without a fixed hourly wage. The duration of most walks typically falls between 30 to 60 minutes.
Money and time are interchangeable, as both hold significant value.
Establishing a consistent clientele with recurrent bookings is the most effective strategy to ensure dependable earnings. The greater the number of habitual patrons, the lower the amount of effort required for acquiring fresh business.
Not only does establishing a regular customer base provide a stable income, it also allows you to cultivate a unique connection with both the clients and their canine companions as their dependable dog walker.
Your loyal clients can potentially bring in more business through positive recommendations. It is important to collect feedback from your best clients to exhibit on your website or other marketing materials.
Is Dog Walking Right for You?
Before taking up dog walking as a career, it is crucial to evaluate the pros and cons of the job to make an informed decision.
Being a dog walker certainly offers numerous benefits, including the opportunity to provide love and care for dogs, stay in shape through physical activity, and maintain a flexible schedule. That said, there are also a few challenges to keep in mind, such as:
- Variety of Dog Clients: You may end up working with dogs that are smaller or larger than what you’re used to. Some dogs may have issues pulling on the leash, being reactive with other dogs, etc. Consider how confident you are in your dog-handling skills!
- On Your Feet: This one is a bit obvious, but working as a dog walker means you’ll be on your feet all day. Make sure you’re really up for such an active career, especially if you’re used to working a desk job.
- Being an Independent Contractor : As a freelance dog walker, you’ll now be working as an independent contractor rather than a company employee. This comes with its own set of hassles.
Dog walkers are generally classified as self-employed or independent workers, which means they are not eligible for employee benefits like healthcare and paid sick time. Furthermore, job stability is uncertain in the service-oriented realm of dog walking.
Determining what makes sense for the success of your career and happiness is your responsibility as every career has advantages and disadvantages.
To determine if being a dog walker is suitable for you, you need to assess the potential earnings by examining these factors:
- What services will you provide?
- Will you offer expertise or special services?
- What’s the cost of the local marketplace for the services you will provide?
- How often will you work: part-time or full-time?
- Will you have any other service costs such as commission fees?
By answering these queries, canine walkers can better comprehend their earning prospects and make informed decisions regarding the growth of their enterprise. Pursue your passion and excel at it!
BONUS: 6 Amazing Dog Trainer Academies in the US
The profession of dog training is fulfilling and advantageous for both pets and their owners because it assists dogs in conquering their anxieties, acquiring good behavior in the household, and adapting to their new homes, especially for rescued dogs. However, if you aspire to become a dog trainer, where should you begin? Alternatively, if you are a dog trainer already, how can you enhance your abilities?
Aspiring dog trainers typically begin their certification journey by volunteering at dog shelters, adoption centers, or veterinary clinics in order to acquire proficiency in handling dogs of all ages and sizes. Afterward, they proceed to acquire knowledge on training techniques and proceed through the certification process.
Discover some of the best dog trainer schools in the US and explore the unique programs they offer, all geared towards comprehending and enhancing the connection between humans and animals, such as those found at the top 6 academies for canine training.
Starmark Academy
The place is situated in Hutto, Texas.
The length of time is between 4 to 12 weeks.
The price varies between $6,795 and $11,795.
Options for courses:
- Pet Obedience Theory and Application Program
- Canine Training Specialist Program
- Canine Training and Behavior Specialist Program
Starmark Academy collaborates with animal rescue organizations throughout Texas to train dogs that require assistance and get them ready for their permanent homes. Aspiring dog trainers can bring their own untrained dog to the academy, or they can be assigned a shelter dog to train locally.
Starmark provides a variety of courses such as advanced behavior, kennel management, competitive obedience, and others. In addition, the Starmark campus offers accommodation for students, a fenced sports field, and a training facility that is equipped with the latest technology and everything necessary to become a dog trainer, including agility equipment and supplies for scentwork and search-and-rescue. All participants must purchase a $300 training equipment kit for any course they enroll in.
School for Dog Trainers at Highland Canine Training LLC
Harmony, North Carolina and Hanceville, Alabama are the places.
The length of time required is between 6 to 24 weeks.
The cost varies between $5,650 to $17,775.
Selections for available courses.
- Master dog trainer
- Obedience and behavior program (most popular)
- Police K9 dog trainer
- Service dog trainer
- Detection dog training
- Search-and-rescue dog trainer
Highland Canine Training LLC provides a modern dog training facility spanning 50 acres, where individuals can undergo training to become K9 police dog trainers, search-and-rescue dog trainers, and other related professions. The duration of the training is up to 24 weeks for novices, whereas those with experience in the field of dog training can opt for a 6-week course.
There are two sites for this academy: the primary site in Harmony, North Carolina, and a secondary campus in Hanceville, Alabama. It is important for veterans and their relatives to note that while the master training program is eligible for GI bill and VA benefits, the programs at the Alabama location are not.
The Academy for Dog Trainers
The programs are held virtually worldwide, while the main office is located in Emeryville, California.
You can work through the coursework at your own speed, with access to it for a maximum of 2 years.
The price is seven thousand five hundred twenty-five dollars.
There is one online course available that provides an all-encompassing education on training, communicating with clients, managing behavior problems, interpreting body language, identifying conflict types, administering psychotropic medications, and more.
The Academy for Dog Trainers involves a rigorous program facilitated by a diverse group of global professionals, addressing issues such as aggression, reactivity, and client communication. Those interested in becoming trainers should plan to dedicate a minimum of 12 to 15 hours weekly to attend webinars and engage in video coaching sessions via the internet.
Although the Academy’s course can be learned at one’s own pace, students are required to finalise all of their subjects within two years of registering. Each segment must be finished within six months. In order to accomplish the training course, it is necessary to record and submit videos of yourself working with canines and utilising the knowledge you have acquired.
Catch Canine Trainers Academy
The place is situated in Little Falls, New Jersey.
The courses offered have a self-paced format and typically span for a period of 6-18 months.
The price varies from $1,212 to $5,025.
Possible courses:
- Pro dog trainer (core skills course)
- Dog training & behavior (basics pro course)
- Master class course (most thorough course offering)
Canine Trainers Academy offers a comprehensive and adaptable learning experience for aspiring trainers, incorporating both remote and in-person classes. Their curriculum is diverse and cutting-edge, encompassing topics ranging from interpreting canine behavior to managing business operations.
The tuition cost covers mentor trainers’ services which are always accessible to offer additional guidance for program participants.
The Tom Rose School
Place: High Ridge, MO
The duration ranges from 8 to 50 weeks.
The cost of the product falls between $6,990 and $17,950*.
Available choices for courses:
- Professionals course
- Master course
- Ultimate course
- Service dog trainer course
At the Tom Rose School, students receive comprehensive, face-to-face instruction in a variety of areas. Apart from basic obedience, they must successfully complete assessments in subjects such as AKC agility, targeted odor detection, and therapy dog instruction.
The length of the course is dependent on the program of your choice. For instance, the Professionals course spans over a period of 15 weeks whereas the Masters and Service Dog courses have a duration of 8 weeks. The Rose Scholar program, which is by invitation only, lasts for 50 weeks and is exclusively offered to some of the Masters program graduates.
Please take note that the Leaders Program is highly recommended before taking up Master and Professional courses. Failure to complete the Leaders Program will result in an extra charge for every class.
Animal Behavior College
Valencia, California is the location of the workshops available throughout the US and Canada.
The duration of the project will be six months.
Cost range: $9,717 (payment plans available)
Program choices include training to become a dog obedience instructor.
Animal Behavior College (ABC) prepares shelter dogs for life outside the shelter by training students on various techniques. Through the Students Saving Lives campaign, ABC collaborates with mentor facilities in all 50 states to connect online students with local shelter dogs. The curriculum of ABC follows the LIMA principles that utilize scientific methods for efficient and secure dog training.
