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Dog walking is a great gig and wonderful first job. Here are the top 10 tips to help you run your dog walking business.<\/p>\n
1. Understand the meet and greet.<\/strong> 2. Utilize local dog parks.<\/strong> 3. Keep your cash flow as simple as possible.<\/strong> 4. Get to know each pet and their owners.<\/strong> 5. Always make safety your top priority.<\/strong> 6. Use a short leash.<\/strong> 7. Don\u2019t rush it.<\/strong> 8. Reward good behavior.\u00a0<\/strong> 9. Don\u2019t accept every job.<\/strong> 10. Remember why you do what you do.<\/strong> Creating a dog-walking business takes patience and practice. By following these steps, you will soon have a money-making business doing what you love!<\/p>\n Written by Tamara Gilmore, owner of\u00a0Pupjobs!<\/a>\u00a0and author of \u201cBow Wow Business: All the Stuff You Need to Know to Become a Successful Dog Walker\u201d.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n
\nIf you have more than one dog you\u2019ll be walking at once, introduce them prior to your outing. The Animal Humane Society offers tips on\u00a0introducing two dogs<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nNeighborhood walks are fine, but when you find yourself with more than one dog, consider heading to one of the many local dog parks. TwinCities.com lists\u00a0six dog parks<\/a>\u00a0that you can visit with your well-behaved brood.<\/p>\n
\nStart by making a detailed spreadsheet of clients, invoices, and payments. You\u2019ll also want to designate a specific credit card for all of your business expenses. There are a lot of options available and each has its own benefits and drawbacks. Here’s a list by category of six of the best\u00a0business credit card options<\/a>\u00a0available in 2018, including ones for those who\u00a0travel or have low credit scores.<\/p>\n
\nIt\u2019s not enough just to make a new customer — you should get to know each dog and their pet parents. This way, you can report back if something seems off or they aren\u2019t behaving like normal.<\/p>\n
\nKeeping yourself and the dogs you are walking safe is your most important task. Always wear reflective clothing and, if you are walking at night, put reflective doggy gear on each dog such as a\u00a0light-up collar clip<\/a>\u00a0or reflective leash. All options are easy to use, budget-friendly, and adjustable so that they fit a variety of dog breeds. Keep an extra bottle of water and a portable bowl handy when it\u2019s hot outside as well.<\/p>\n![\"dog](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Untitled-design-2022-10-06T160849.448.png\")
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\nA\u00a0short leash<\/a>\u00a0offers more control, particularly if you\u2019re walking in an urban environment. Review different leash options\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0prior to making a purchase.<\/p>\n
\nWalking at a slower pace allows you the opportunity to enjoy the scenery and lower both your and the dog\u2019s stress level. This will make your walks so much better. If you have a client whose dog is stubborn, consider raising your rates slightly and suggesting a longer walk time.<\/p>\n
\nKeep\u00a0dog treats<\/a>\u00a0in your bag for when your dogs do something good, such as staying by your side or coming when called.<\/p>\n
\nIt\u2019s easy to rush into contracts with everyone who comes calling, but you don\u2019t have to. If someone tries to talk you down on your prices or continually pressures you to do more than originally agreed upon, you have the right to terminate your relationship.<\/p>\n
\nDogs are special creatures and walking them gives you so much more than an income. When asked, \u201cWhat\u2019s the most rewarding aspect of working with dogs?\u201d Tabitha Patterson of Minneapolis\u2019\u00a0Rock Star Dog Walking & Pet Sitting<\/a>\u00a0says, \u201cTheir unconditional love and happiness to see you no matter what. If you’re having a bad day, it quickly goes away as soon as you see the dog’s happy face.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"dog](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Untitled-design-2022-10-06T160615.072.png\")
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