A Dog Walking Business Could Be The Answer For You
If you are the sort of person who actively likes being with dogs, but are unhappy with the sort of line of work that you are in maybe it’s time to combine an activity that you love with a way of earning money! One of the simplest ways of doing this is to start a dog walking business. If you are unsure of what all this would entail then as with any business, it requires research: fortunately there are plenty of pet trade magazines and website that can help with this side of things.
Qualify what a dog walker does. Do you know? For example there is a great deal of difference between a pet sitter and a dog walker. Pet sitter responsibilities are based around the general domestic needs of a wide variety of species: not just dogs. A pet sitter might be required to feed, administer medication and keep the pet happy. A dog walker simply walks dogs, and cleans-up the poop of the canines in their charge. Watering and maybe administering meds can also be part of the remit.
A business, no matter how much fun, is still a business, and the legal side will also require attention. The type of business structure you intend to use needs to be researched, whether Sole Proprietor, or Limited Liability (which will protect your personal assets in the event of failure), it’s an important decision! Other areas to investigated are the legal requirements of you local area: you may need a licence, or to register your business. Of course good insurance cover should never be overlooked.
Once you have researched your potential client base, you need to set the rates that you can charge, and how you will manage them. You can charge by the hour: divide your time into slots, which the client can purchase. This useful if a client has more than one dog that requires exercise. Other services can be added on, such cleaning up gardens of poop, or administering meds if required. Make sure that the paper work is all in order: lists of client details; contract details; payments (including your own tax); vet details. All these are vital to the successful running of a business.
A dog walking business is a wonderful idea for any person who is active, and hopefully, likes animals. You will be rewarded for doing a job you like and for being out and about rather than for being behind a desk. However, you should always remember that it is a business, and you should treat it as a business. You should maintain a professional manner, and be ready to fulfil all of your commitments, irrespective of other considerations such as bad weather. If you can do all of this, then you could be looking at a successful and rewarding business.
Are you considering starting a dog walking business? Discover some of the things you should think about before starting out. If you have any dog or puppy training questions too, feel free to stop by our website.
