How to start your dog walking business
By Bazal Razzaq
Chief Editor
Updated: August 9, 2023
Editorial Note: We earn a commission if you use the services recommended on this page. Commissions do not affect our opinions or recommendations.
- How to change your LLC name in 2023?
- How to set up an LLC as a Non-US resident
- What Is A Foreign LLC?
- Mastering the Art of Maintenance: Things To Do After Setting Up An LLC
- Exploring the Basics: What is a Single Member LLC?
- The Power of Partnership: Unleashing The Potential of A Multi Member LLC
- C Corp vs LLC – Which Business Structure is Right for You?
- A Guide to Business License: Everything you need to know
- Unlocking the Benefits of an LLC (Limited Liability Company)
- Which is the best state to form an LLC in?
- Operating Agreement 101: A Key To A Successful LLC
- One LLC, Multiple Streams of Income: can you have multiple businesses under one LLC?
- Articles of Organization Made Easy: Everything You Need to Know
- What Is A LLC Annual Report: A Comprehensive Guide for Business Owners
- Exploring Eligibility: Who Can Be LLC Members?
- What is An EIN, and Do You Need One?
- What Is a Registered Agent, and Why Does Your Business Need One?
- What is a Series LLC?
- How to start a business with no money in 6 steps
- Member Managed vs Manager Managed LLC – Which Structure Fits Your Business?
Starting a business is no walk in the park, even when the business requires you to walk in a park! Initiating a dog walking business requires more than just undying love for our furry and faithful friends. You’ll need to merge your affection and fondness for dogs with a smart business plan, marketing techniques, and budgeting.
Keep reading and you’ll get an idea about the ins and outs of this process in addition to the thorough knowledge you’ll need to get your business up and running. Starting any business needs consistency, hard work, and dedication. Let us help you turn your love and passion for dogs into a profitable business.
Today, we’ll show you how you can start your very own dog walking business in just 9 steps:
#1 Pick a business name
The name you choose for your business should reflect what it is as a brand and the services you may offer. It should be catchy, engaging, and memorable, and if you wish to include more services in the future, it should be flexible. The snappier it is, the better it is for your brand as it’ll help you stand out from other dog walking services and can have a life-changing impact on your brand image.
By considering the points above, you can choose a fun and distinctive name for your business that’ll be adored by humans and dogs, both.
#2 Research and develop a business plan
Developing a complete business plan is important to any venture, no matter how small or big it is. And when it comes to creating a business plan, there’s no right or wrong answer. It should serve as a game plan to attract potential investors and get any loans if and whenever necessary.
First things first, you need to research and understand if there’s a demand for your services in the neighboring areas. This should be a stepping stone for your business. Identify your target market, build on the need for dog-walking business opportunities, and then create a business plan that highlights the services you’re offering, the pricing and hours you’ll give, and all of your marketing strategies.
#3 Understand your Market
Before you launch your dog walking business, it’s essential to do your homework and figure out the market, its needs, wants, and how a dog walking company works. Read and research other dog walking services in your area, their approach, pricing, and services. This way, you can gather enough information on what’s working for other people and what’s not. You can then implement it accordingly in your own venture.
You also need to identify the wants and needs of pet owners in your area. Your research should include their ages, income, the total number of pets, and interests. In all honesty, the best way to actually understand the needs and requirements of your targeted audience is to actually sit and interact with them. Head to your closeby parks and have a chat with them about their problems and then think about how you can solve them as a brand. You can also speak to local pet stores and their employees for added information.
#4 Select a legal structure
The next step would be to choose a suitable legal structure for your dog walking venture. This will decide how your business will run and what its target performance will be.
There are many variations to choose from, they would be:
- Sole proprietorship, which is the most basic business type. It is controlled, managed, and run entirely by one single person. This person will be solely responsible for all the responsibilities, including any profit or loss.
- LLC, or Limited Liability Corporation, is a US-only business structure allowed by state law. It is a private limited company which is also known as a hybrid entity because it blends features of both organizations and partnerships, which could be considered an ideal choice for company owners who are looking for more security and protection for personal claims.
- Partnership, where two or more people own and run a business together. This includes General Partnership, where partners enjoy full operational control of their business, and Limited Partnership, where partners have lesser liabilities and don’t engage in day-to-day business operations.
- Corporations are a separate legal body from their owners. They offer multiple advantages such as the ability to raise money, limited liability protection, and the facility to transfer ownership at any point.
Once you get a hold of what you want to be as a company, it gets a lot easier to get done with the specifics.
#5 Register your dog walking business
When you register your business it establishes its presence as a legal and official body. You may need to register with the appropriate government agency, local or state depending on your business structure.
You will have to fill out multiple legal forms which will give your services the necessary registrations and certifications. Registering your business also allows you to open a bank account just for your business, apply for any future loans or grants, and obtain any licenses or permits.
#6 Choose your prices carefully
Once you’ve gathered enough information about the market and you as a business, it is now time to determine your dog walking rates. You now have an idea of what your competitors are charging for their services and decide accordingly.
The pricing you select should be based on the time of the walk, the total distance covered, and also the total services you’re going to offer. It is also important to keep in mind that some breeds are friendlier than others which may result in you finishing your walk within minutes while some can take hours. You need to consider all these details before sorting out your fees.
You should also figure out the cost of advertising, travel, and accessories such as gloves, leashes, and collars. Sometimes toys and dog treats are necessary for the dogs to have a pleasant and enjoyable experience, while pet sitting and pet transportation may require charges of their own.
For your business to grow more, you might need to spend a little on commercials, promotions, and advertisements. They bring in more clientele and can prove to be an investment. Always include your personal travel rates in your overall pricing, whether it be fuel or diesel charges or any parking fees or tolls.
Being aware of the above facts will help you decide on competitive and affordable prices for your services.
#7 Sort your payment options
Now when you’re done fixing your payments, you can focus on how you’re going to receive them. There are a lot of options from PayPal, and credit cards to cash transfers that you can choose from. You must decide which one works best for your and your customers.
You also need to decide on whether the customers will submit an advance payment or they need to pay in person before or after your service is over.
Whatever your pick may be, it’s important to speak to your clients and let them know beforehand what your payment options and expectations are. This way, there’s no scope for misunderstandings and any future fights and confusion can be avoided.
#8 Obtain necessary licenses and permits
Every business requires licensing and permits and your dog walking business is no different. Remember that different states have different rules and regulations when it comes to starting your own business.
You can check with your local government to understand what licenses and permits you might need to get your services up and running. Usually, you’ll need a license to protect your services and legalize them entirely.
#9 Get dog walking insurance
Yes, you read that right. This is by far the most important element of your dog walking business. When you open a business that’s responsible for walking and petting dogs, you’re also fully responsible for their well-being and care. Likewise, if any accidents, property damage, or injuries do happen, you as a business will be liable for any expenses incurred.
In case someone’s beloved pet passes away, you will be then held responsible so it’s better to secure yourselves against any future litigations that could get messy.
Once you’re done with all these technicalities you can focus on other things like opening a separate bank account for your business and promoting your brand. One of the easiest ways to grow your business would be to spread positive word of mouth on social media, in and around your immediate circle, and on local advertising platforms.
On the other hand, building genuine relationships with your customers and their pets goes a long way. You can do so by communicating timely, providing updates, and taking fantastic care of the dogs. Happy and satisfied clients are more likely to return and recommend your services to others.
In conclusion, opening a dog walking business can be a rewarding and satisfying experience for anyone who is passionate about animals or business. By following all the steps we’ve mentioned in this article, you can easily establish your own venture completely assured that you’re operating legally and safely.
We’re sure that with hard work and commitment, you can turn this valuable service into a commercial success in no time.
Final Word
Once you’re done with all these technicalities you can focus on other things like opening a separate bank account for your business and promoting your brand. One of the easiest ways to grow your business would be to spread positive word of mouth on social media, in and around your immediate circle, and on local advertising platforms.
On the other hand, building genuine relationships with your customers and their pets goes a long way. You can do so by communicating timely, providing updates, and taking fantastic care of the dogs. Happy and satisfied clients are more likely to return and recommend your services to others.
In conclusion, opening a dog walking business can be a rewarding and satisfying experience for anyone who is passionate about animals or business. By following all the steps we’ve mentioned in this article, you can easily establish your own venture completely assured that you’re operating legally and safely.
We’re sure that with hard work and commitment, you can turn this valuable service into a commercial success in no time.
Featured Best LLC Services
Northwest Registered Agent
On Northwest Registered Agent’ Website
Highlight
IncFile
On IncFile’ Website
Most Comprehensive
Business Rocket
On Business Rocket’ Website
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
According to IBISWorld, the U.S. dog walking services market will bring in $1.1 billion in 2023. It should go without saying that efficient and well-run dog walking businesses can prove to be quite successful and profitable.
Contrary to other professions, becoming a dog walker does not require any educational experience. If there were ever a real qualification needed for this job, it would probably be something along the lines of “should love dogs.”
It’s difficult to start any sort of small business, to be honest. It calls for a huge amount of effort but there’s no better alternative to this if you LOVE dogs and are interested in starting a business.
Liability for dog accidents or injuries, unpredictable weather, and potential difficulties with managing customer expectations and schedules are some dangers associated with a dog walking business.
You can start by asking your friends and family if they need your service and ask them to spread the word. Both traditional(flyers and notices) and content marketing(social media posts, blogs) can prove to be beneficial.