Dog Walking Business?

[xAndrewx]

So I have free time and am considering posting some flyers to walk dogs in the neighborhood for a small fee. I live in an older community where people have pets but don't often walk them much. I thought it might be a great opportunity to make cash, get some exercise, and spend time with some furry little cuties. So what fee do you guys think would be reasonable? Also how long? I was thinking $6 an hour per dog or $10 an hour for two dogs? Maybe that's a little too high? Thanks for any opinions and advice  

[Ryno]

I have a friend who started a similar business, straight out of high school She sits dogs, like, while poeple are at work or even when they go out of town for a couple of days.

It's a great idea. I think $6/$10 is reasonable, especially in an older community. I wouldn't say that's too much, especially if the people who live in your area aren't quite up for an hour-long strut in the park.

Plus, walkin dogs is a great way to meet people

[Shang]

If I was just walking the dog, I'd probably charge about $10-ish for the day since it doesn't take all that long to walk a dog and I'd probably use that price for two dogs and any extra dog is $5.  One dog would be $6 or $7 for the day. 

For actual pet-sitting, I'd do $15 a day and that would include going over to make sure the dog is fed and watered, numerous visits, play time, and walks.  And a bath if I was to pet-sit the dog for an extended time.

[Devlyn]

One word, dude: Insurance!

[tekla]

They charge $25 an hour here.  Why?

One word, dude: Insurance!

[Devlyn]

@ Tekla: That's a good one! You're funny!

[tekla]

Nothing funny about it, I looked up what a dog walker charges in San Francisco and Santa Rosa and that's the going rate.  Here's straight off a web page for Hot Diggity Dog

Professional and knowledgeable
Bonded & insured through Pet Sitters Associates, LLC.
Certified in Pet CPR & First Aid by PetTech
Registered business with the City and County of San Francisco
Member of PRODOG - Professional Dog Walkers Association
Member SFDOG San Francisco Dog Owners Group
Member of Crissy Field Dog Group
Pass criminal background check
Listed on ACC resource dog walker list

Yeah, you're reading that right, a criminal background check to walk dogs.

And here is a rate sheet for Doggie Walks
Rates:
Solo Doggie Walks: $26/30 min, $27/45 min, $30/hour *
Additional dog between $10-15

Group walks: $25 dollars per dog per day *
Group walks are semi-private with 4 being the largest group

Cat visits: $25 - 30 per 30 min. visit *
Additional Cats add $5

Dog Visits: $25 - 30 per 30 min. visit *

Overnights: With my dog $70 per night. This includes morning walk and evening walk. Additional Pet between $10 and $18.
Without my dog Bubba, $80 a night * (Overnight drop offs are from 5:30pm and pick ups at 10am)

Puppies are priced separately
In My Home Pet Sitting: $70 for one dog and $20 per dog thereafter (this includes 3-5 dogs walks and of course playing!) *

Medications: $5 additional per day/administration

* Subject to change on per client basis. Depending on location, times and dates needed and sociability and size of animal.

[Devlyn]

Andrew, I was mauled by a dog, my third dog actually. The least likely suspect, a yellow lab. He came up into my stomach, then grabbed my left forearm, removing a piece of skin. Then he got my elbow and tore the back off it. This was all through five layers of winter clothes here in Massachusetts. If you walk dogs and one does that to you or someone else, you will need insurance. You need insurance to sell lemonade nowadays. Hugs, Tracey

[Elijah3291]

sounds good to me, good way to save money and get exercise, cause walking alone is boring, but walking with a dog and getting paid for it is better

[atheris]

Potentially, dog walking is an excellent idea! I've seen women (not so many men) walking 6 dogs at a time! I don't know how much to charge, I don't know much about dogs either, but you can look in the phone book to see who else is doing it, and a phone call will give you their rates and services. Part of the trick is setting yourself up with dogs that get along with each other, similar size, I guess, to make things easier for you. You can make tax free cash money walking dogs, and you can advertise in public laundromats, supermarkets, and any place with a public bulletin board. I've made money advertising this way, I'll go to someone's home and give manicures in the evening, sometimes an afternoon on the weekend. Many women come home from work and would like to have their nails done without the wait at a nail salon. Over time, a steady clientele is developed.

During the summer, people need dog walkers, pet sitters, and even plant waterers for when they go away on vacation. Not everyone has a reliable friend or relative to care for their pets or plants. I once asked my brother to water my plants for a few days, and he flooded every one of them...there was water all over the floor! ADVERTISE! As long as you're neat and clean in appearance, pleasant and reliable, you can really help a lot of people and make some money in the process! You can run off flyers on your computer to start, and you can advertise for free. You can also try advertising on Craig's List.

If nothing else, you can advertise online just to get an idea of the potential market without investing any money.

[xAndrewx]

Hey thanks for the advice everyone! I've actually gotten a job since posting this that has a long commute and no steady days off so I won't have time to do this like I wanted to But again thank you for the advice! I might consider this again when we move if I cannot immediately get a job so I'll keep the advice in mind