How to become a dog walker
If you love dogs, there’s no better job than being a dog walker. Not only do you get to spend time with man’s best friend, but you also get paid to do it. Dog walking can be a fun and lucrative way to make money, but it’s not as easy as just opening your door and letting the dogs out. There are a few things you need to know before becoming a professional dog walker. In this blog post, we’ll outline what those things are so that you can start walking dogs for profit today!
What is Dog Walking?
–Dog walking is exactly what it sounds like. You take dogs for a walk by yourself or with the help of staff. There are many ways to go about this including leash-walking, off-leash walks, running, and even dog jogging! Some companies have you walk multiple dogs at once, while others have you walk one dog alone. Either way, being a professional dog walker can be an extremely rewarding job if you love animals.
What does a dog walker do?
-When it comes to dog walking, there are a few different jobs you can have. The first is a solo dog walker. In this position, you would take one or two dogs for walks across your town to different locations such as parks and trails. You may also be required to give the dogs some additional exercise by running or jogging with them!
-The other option is as an office dog walker. In this position, you’ll typically bring in one dog at a time into the workplace with you where they will play and entertain both employees and customers alike! This job isn’t as focused on actual ‘walking’ but helps promote company morale which is important if your business brings in large groups of people daily.
A dog walker’s basic duties may include:
-Leash-walking dogs from location to location
-Taking dogs out to the bathroom
-Playtime with multiple dogs at once or just one dog at a time
-Administering medication as needed
-Providing companionship to dogs and their owners
-Giving advice on how to handle certain pet behaviors
-Helping new pet owners navigate through pet care
Average salary for a dog walker:
-Many dog walkers work hourly without benefits from the companies they work for. On average, a professional dog walker can make anywhere between $10-$15 per hour. This may not seem like a lot of money at first, but when you factor in how much time you’ll be spending with dogs, it’s really quiet a lot!
Training:
-While some companies will train you on the job, others may require that you have previous experience before joining their team. If your company asks for prior experience, you should consider taking courses at PetTech Academy. Here, you can learn about pet first aid and CPR, grooming dogs, training pets , and much more!
-You must also be in good physical shape if you want to be a dog walker. You’ll need to carry around heavy leashes that are linked to multiple dogs or large jogging strollers which hold up to two dogs at once. This means that it’s important carry around plenty of water when working with high temperatures outside.
Certifications:
-Depending on the company you choose, you may or may not be required to have a pet first aid certificate. This is because it’s important that all dog walkers know what to do in case of an emergency involving canines. You’ll be walking dogs through busy intersections, forest preserves, and other areas which are more susceptible to emergencies than others. Learning CPR for pets can also help increase your earning potential since most companies will require this type of training before hiring you.
-This job does come with some risks so make sure you’re aware of them before getting started! As our blog post on safety precautions for professional dog walkers explains, there are times when things can go wrong even if there isn’t any animal involved.
Skills:
-You need to enjoy being around animals and be able to handle them with care. Pet owners trust their pets with people like you so you need to show that you know what you’re doing and can be always trusted. You should always walk multiple dogs on a leash or handle them in some other fashion, so they don’t run away from you!
-You’ll also have to have good communication skills since you’ll often have to explain pet behavior, how best to complete tasks, walk multiple dogs at once, etc. This means it’s important for dog walkers to both listen well and speak clearly so that others understand what they are saying without the need for further questions.
-You’ll need to be physically active and enjoy getting outside. Therefore, dog walking is a wonderful side hustle for those who love animals but don’t want the full-time commitment of owning one!
How to become a dog walker:
-Apply for a job at a company that you think would be a good fit. You can expect to start out walking dogs with one or multiple people and then get moved up the ranks if you do well. If your dog walking abilities are above par, it’s possible to land a management position in this field!
-If you prefer self-employment, consider starting your own pet sitting business. There is a definite need for pet sitters all over the world so getting started in this field was never easier! It might take some time before you have enough clients to support yourself but when that day comes, it’ll be worth it!
-You can also go the route of starting your own dog walking business. This means that you would hire people to work with you and split the profits whenever a client hired you for a certain number of hours.
Conclusion:
-A future job as a professional dog walker is something to look forward to if you love animals within this species! You’ll have plenty of time with them every day, be able to earn money while doing something fun, and have an opportunity to take those adorable photos too!