How to turn dog walking into a successful business?

Author: Vikram Kumar

If you love animals, nothing else would be as fulfilling as having a career working with them. There are many people who own dogs but do not have the time needed to give to their dogs. As a result, the dogs spend most of the time at their homes, bored, under-stimulated without exercise. This is where dog walking comes into play. It is not a difficult job but a fun one. People who do not have the time for their pets or work long hours are always on the lookout for caregivers who can take their dog out and help them engage in some activity. It is physical activity, fun and dog love all mixed in one and is also a great career opportunity. You can do doggie walking for a part time income but if you want to transform it into a successful business, you need to put a bit of planning.

  • Finances- This is the first part of transforming a hobby into a fully fledged business. If you want elite clients who want nothing but the best for their dogs then you have to invest in your business. First of all you would need a separate car for the canines or a partition in your current care where they can all sit comfortably. A bigger car that will be comfortable enough for 5-10 dogs would be perfect. This is because you’ll have to drive around to pick the dogs up and some families may own multiple dogs and might want you to take all of them out together for some fun. Secondly, you would need some kits like the first aid kit, dog toys, a water bowl and a leash. These are the basic things you’ll need that will help to turn the outing into a fun and successful one.
  • Organize- The second part of the business would be proper organization. You need to keep a book with all your appointments so that you do not miss out on any and you know your route. On top of that you need to have a separate book with the contact details and names of all your clients. You also need to keep the keys of the clients’ homes safe and secure and organized so you don’t have any problems with pickups. Label the keys properly so that you do not mix them up. In another book, keep a list of the dogs and all of their requirements. Some dogs have some special needs or allergies or phobias. Watch the dogs’ behaviors and interactions with each other to avoid any problems as you do not want the dogs to get distressed while dog walking.
  • Advertise- The last step to setting up a successful business would be proper advertisement. Word of mouth is usually the best technique to get a lot of clients. However, you can take some additional efforts to expand your business and reach within the community. Some options are: advertising through flyers, posting posters on local mailboxes, advertising in your local newspaper, going door to door, advertising at local apartment buidlings, dog parks, pet stores or vets, or wearing a t-shirt with your company’s name and contact details on it while dog walking.

http://www.pawsplaygrounds.com/ Dog walking is a very profitable business if you have the passion and dedication to make it big. http://www.pawsplaygrounds.com/dog-walking-toronto/ Dog walking combines fun and work at the same time. So if you are in love with the furry creatures do get involved in a business that is beneficial to them as well as to you.