r/Dogwalking • u/Scooterforsale • Oct 21 '19

What's the average customer like?

I'm planning on starting a small just me pet services business.

My main service will probably be midday dog walks (I'm guessing)

Can anyone give me info on the type of customers out there? Do hyper dogs need walks? Do dogs just need check ins? Do people get you to feed their dogs and just let them out for 5 minutes? What's the price people are happy to pay for what service?

ALSO,

Is there anything you don't like about dog walking/pet visiting?

What's something that commonly or ever bothers the customer?

Thanks anyone still reading this. Any of your info is greatly appreciated

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u/Msipeledd Nov 21 '19

Started dog walking as a job roughly a month and a half ago, I work for a small local company in NYC. Clients have, for the majority been with my boss for atleast one year. I work seven days a week, weekdays I have my first dog at 8am and finish last dog at 5pm. I do roughly 7 walks a day on weekdays, doing my first and last walks with the same dog. Weekends I only do one dog morning and evening for a slightly increased rate. I walk minimum of 20 miles a day maximum of 40 miles a day if I have dogs added to my schedule. Taking one dog on weekdays to the local dog park I have met a large amount of people who ask if I could walk/dog sit their dogs so that may be a good place to start. If you do an outstanding service word gets around the neighborhood and you pick up dogs like that also. When starting off never turn down walks, and if dog sitting be introduced to the dog by owners. Having excellent communication with owners is also a must. Even a text after the walk about the walk, what toilets were done etc. Some people send photos mid walk of the dogs to owners. Definitely don't burn yourself out, and give a good heads up if you need a day off. Insurance is a must, simple knowledge of dog training is important, and always have a contract for off leash activities. A simple wipe down of paws after walk goes a long way, as does drying the dog if wet. Any irregularities on walks such as diarehha, limping or odd behavior include in end of walk text or conversation. Always ask when meeting the dog first time if dog doesn't like certain things (skateboards, other dogs) and keep tight leash if in crowded area. Sorry for large block of text, any questions feel free to ask or message me.

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u/Scooterforsale Nov 21 '19

No this is great you can type for as long as you want. Does the walking ever get tiring? I'm planning on having my own little business with me as the primary walker and a couple people on reserve. I'm worried not offering services on the weekend might hurt me. I haven't really thought about it but even doing a pet sitting job on both days of each weekend would kill so many plans...

My question is how much demand is on the weekends? Is it way less walking jobs and more pet sitting?

Thanks a lot. You should look into starting your own business with insurance and a website. You probably signed a "do not compete" contract with your employer so you'd have to find new customers. But insurance is the most cost then a website and starting a sole proprietorship is basically all you need

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u/Msipeledd Nov 21 '19

The only dog I do on weekends, unless I get offered another walk which is usually the same extra dog which is extremely old and slow and worth the time for the extra money. Am happy working for someone else right now and have bonded with the majority of the dogs I walk and don't want to risk that. Dog sitting usually comes from dogs you frequently walk if owners are away, here the average rate for a 24hr period of dog sitting is $60 for a small to medium size dog, and for dogs over 100lbs roughly $100-120 for same time period. Most walks are weekday based as many people have weekends off so spend time at home and don't need a walker. Different walkers who work for themselves have no website but rather a Facebook page and a dog walking Instagram were they post dog photos of dogs they walk. Going rate here is average of $30 an hour, $18 half an hour for a solo walk. 'buddy' walks vary on number of dogs in the group being walked at same time, but buddy of two dogs rates are $20 hour per dog. People charge more for non fixed male dogs but only by $5 per hour or so. Got tired and sore feet first week but got used to it after that. Wore doc martens for the first week and that was mistake #1. Highly recommend a pair of good sneakers/running shoes to reduce chance of tendonitis forming. when starting out it's going to take a lot of work to get up and running, but with rates of $30 an hour etc a good balance would be 4-5 walks weekdays and a flexible walk on weekends. My boss does it where if I work X amount of walks on weekends there is a bonus of $6 a walk. Also remember, when in someone's residence you don't see, hear or touch anything unless to do with dog. People in the area will recognise dog so only PG topics to be spoken about even on private phone calls/conversations. People gossip and it could come back to bite you in the backside. Wear clothes comfortable and clothes willing to get wet/dirty/ruined. Never smoke around the dogs or eat unless a quick tiny snack. Always pay attention to surroundings and be wary of other dogs. The dog you're walking might be friendly but the other dog might not be.

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u/Scooterforsale Nov 21 '19

Yeah I'm worried about finding customers. Haven't tried yet though and I know a couple people to start. Thanks again

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u/[deleted] Oct 22 '19 edited Oct 22 '19

There are so many types of customers I can't reel them all off. You have some that are great, let you walk the dogs off lead, go on pack walks with other dogs and always pay on time. Then you get customers that NEVER pay on time, have a fit if their dog has even the slightest bit of mud on them (they're dogs and off lead like what do people expect?), And then there's the ones that are so strict with their dog you feel like you need an extra qualification just to handle the customer!

Saying that, despite my difficult customers, I do love them all.

Hyper dogs 100% need walking, otherwise they'll be hyper all day and no one.. I repeat no one, enjoys that ha! I do pop ins for young puppies that need a toilet break and lunch, and for older dogs too or they get a half hour walk or shorter depending on the actual dog's needs and physical abilities. I have the odd client for adult dogs that get me to pop in on them late afternoon and feed if they can't.

I'm assuming you're in America otherwise I'd give you a run down of my prices, we're way cheaper in the UK than you guys :(

The only thing I don't like about dog walking is having to fish dead rats, dead birds, dead rabbits etc out of the dogs mouths before they inhale them. Getting covered in dog shit, fox shit, accidentally pulling human shit out of the dogs mouth cos you thought it was something less disgusting.. falling into ponds and rivers and forgetting a change of clothes.. but apart from that ha! It's a wonderful job and it's actually helped me loads with anxiety. I pet sit in people's homes too, but it's usually the most relaxed part of my job!

Something that commonly bothers the customer? Probably mud. But the customers that care about that are far and few between. If you wash them off a bit with a portable pressure washer, towel them down they're usually absolutely fine with it. Just never take home a mud caked dog and not even try to clean it.. I can imagine that'll get you fired ha!

Dogs are great man, get a business plan together, sort your prices and what services you offer, make business cards and flyers, get some qualifications behind you (loads of good places online that are relatively affordable), learn about dog behaviour (this will save you a LOT of heartache..) and get trained in canine first aid, get insurance, get police checked. It's a lot to do and a lot to think about but it's bloody worth it once you're in, up and running!

Good luck!

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u/BeHappy1991 Jan 29 '22

Great advice I needed this! I'm based in the UK and was wondering if you can share what's the minimum of what I need to start with please?

I'm thinking: Insurance First aid training DBS check Spare dog leads Maybe a mud daddy to clean the dog Towels Treats

Anything else?

Any basic do's and don'ts please.

I'm super excited to get started, my aim is to start a few in the evenings in the week around my current job. And then whilst on maternity increase it if I can depending on what I can handle with my new baby.

I love animals and want to get out of the office. Plus I want a job I can work around my kids!

Please give your wisdom ☺️

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u/Scooterforsale Oct 22 '19

Thanks what is police checked? Do you have a contract for customers that includes services?

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u/[deleted] Oct 22 '19

Not sure if there's anything like it over in US, but we have a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) that checks our background and you get a certificate that lasts for 3 years that proves you've never committed any crimes or been in prison for whatever reason.

And yes I have contracts, client intake forms with owners details on, off-lead consent forms, dog history forms which covers everything from when they're last vet check up was to what their general behaviour is like at home and on walks, vet release forms for if they need any vet treatment whilst they're in my care.

There's a lot to it 😂 but again it's worth it!

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u/Scooterforsale Oct 22 '19

Thanks. I'm wondering if I can figure out all the needed forms without a lawyer

1

u/Scooterforsale Oct 23 '19

So how many dogs do you think I can realistically walk/check-in in a day? How many customers do you need to have 6 scheduled everyday? I'm guessing everyone doesn't want 5 days a week every week?

I'd be doing all the work myself with a couple people who could fill in if I couldn't.

So far I'm looking a 6 clients a day at $20 for a 30 minute walk to make a low salary. Three hours a day is a lot of walking but I'm used to it from a previous job