Pet sitters are typically available during normal business hours, weekends, and holidays to take care of animals by taking them for walks, feeding them, cleaning their cages, and more. But they should be enough to get you thinking more carefully about whom you trust with your pet and your home. The following two tabs change content below. Personal Profile: Hello my name is Najah I am 21 years old very responsible. Professional poo pick-up — The more dogs you walk, the more dog poos you’ll be picking up. Services And Training: I am comfortable doing cat feeding, providing long walks, and exotic pet care. Hiring a dog-walker gives you the assurance that you are providing the best care and ethical practice for your pet. Dog walkers, especially those who offer private or semi-private walks, are ideal for young puppies and senior dogs, who may not be able to keep up with a room full of high-energy beasts. This means that if you use Rover instead of Wag!, you will not have as many options to take on demand walks during flexible times. Dog walks are usually Monday through Friday in the middle of the day. Dog walking improves exercise motivation, stress control and community spirit. Expect them not to take your word for the last one – they’ll almost certainly bring a “demo dog” to your meeting to help evaluate your pet’s behaviour. Independence ­— Running your own dog walking business can be great, providing you set boundaries from the very start. It is already obvious that walking your dog will provide a range of benefits for you and your dog, there is no need to debate that statement as it is a fact. Pros will want to know everything about your dog: vaccinations, behaviour triggers, training you’ve done, allergies or physical restrictions, and especially how your dog behaves around other dogs. Variable income — Similar to a freelancer, a dog walker’s income can vary. Most dog walkers are long-time dog owners. Here are some of the less fun things about being a professional dog walker. A great place to start is by word of mouth – ask local dog owners, your veterinarian or dog trainer which walkers they recommend. Difficult clients — There are likely to be some pet owners that you adore and others that you dislike. Consider this: Some dogs, especially young or high-energy ones, need far more exercise than they’ll get on a simple one-hour outing. So if you’re considering a career as a professional dog walker, don’t go into it blind. Another benefit is that Wag! A professional dog walker won’t mind – because they don’t have anything to hide. Will the dogs be the same each week? If you would like to write a letter to the editor, please forward it to letters@globeandmail.com. For example, a professional dog walker may charge $28 for one dog or $33 for two dogs on a 60-minute walk. You get to set your own rates and hours. Welcome to The Globe and Mail’s comment community. Your dog may be used to sleeping at home alone while you are at work, but it can be oh-so-boring for him. They may also ask for confirmation of vaccination and ifyour dog is spayed or … Plus, aside from your doggy clients, you’ll get to meet other dogs while out and about on your dog walking route. Pay attention to what the walker asks you. Four-legged doggy clients are much easier to handle (and more pleasant) than humans. Unless you happen to also offer a pet sitting service, you might miss out on a chunk of earnings. Dog walkers can offer an array of services, from private or semi-private on-leash walks to group outings where your dog is picked up, along with several other pets, and driven to a local park for an off-leash romp. We aim to create a safe and valuable space for discussion and debate. Answer questions. In a dog walking business, you’re going to be doing the same thing at the same time on the same days, consistently. In addition to regulating its diet, to … The Pros To Being A Professional Dog Walker. Click here to subscribe. Walks improve pet health Just like their human counterparts, pets need regular and consistent exercise to live long, healthy and happy lives. The Pros Of Being A Professional Dog Walker. The benefits of hiring a pet sitter. Check out these marketing tips for dog walking businesses and pet sitters. Finding clients — If you’re lucky word of mouth will generate clients. Naturally, those horror stories are few and far between. There is no doubt in my mind that when a customers dog sees you coming through the door that they. Walking a dog may help you boost exercise motivation, manage stress and build a … Some dogs with aggression or fear issues can only be walked privately, as a group trip to the park or daycare is beyond their ability to cope. Flexibility — Okay, so a dog walker will have to adhere to appointment times and you may be expected to start early in the morning. Likewise, the bigger the dogs you walk, the larger the poos to poop scoop. By Stephanie Stahl January 17, 2018 at 11:40 pm. Carting around some extra weight? If they do not ask questions, require proof of vaccinations (or a veterinary reference letter), and get you to sign a contract, then they’re not a professional. Some information in it may no longer be current. If you choose to buy a product as a result of a referral we will receive a fee. Anybody can be on the other end of electronic communication, but talking live to another dog owner or expert will give you a much better sense of whom you’re considering hiring. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Don’t get us wrong; we don’t want to completely turn you off your chosen career, so let’s start with the positive side of being a dog walker. Certainly, picking up poops is not one of the nicest parts of being a dog walker. Professional dog walkers, both individuals and businesses, are paid by dog owners to walk their dogs for them. Comments that violate our community guidelines will not be posted. Dog walkers are getting health benefits without actually owning a pet. Dog walkers may charge higher rates for walking your dogs on holidays. If the … Intense Weather. ), – What steps do you take when you drop my dog off? Here are some of the key pros and cons of being a professional dog walker. Life gets busy, and resources get stretched. Ask questions – lots of questions. – How many dogs do you have in your care at one time? Indeed, clients who constantly pay late, frequently reschedule and call you at any time of the day or night can test your patience. – Do you evaluate dogs for temperament, energy level and size, and group them accordingly? as an on demand provider. (One dog owner tells the story of firing his dog walking service after finding his entire condo covered in dirt at the end of a particularly wet spring day.). Professional dog walker: PROS. – Have you ever had a dog get lost or injured in your care? Are you certified in pet first aid? Plus, what happens when your client goes on holidays? For example, the dog you’re walking might get into a fight with another dog. One website, SexOffenderJobs.com, suggests dog walking and petsitting as an ideal business for sex offender registrants with an entrepreneurial streak. Some dog walkers will take many dogs for a walk at once, while others will only take a single dog. We hope to have this fixed soon. These business insurance products are distributed by BizCover Pty Ltd (ABN 68 127 707 975, AFSL 501769) and promoted by WaldenWood Group Pty Ltd (ABN 53 093 501 538, AFSL 278954). Four more tips on how to find a great dog walker. Of course, even if you totally love dogs, being a dog walker isn’t all puppy kisses, wagging tails and sunshine. The average salary for a Dog Walker is $15.21 per hour in Las Vegas, NV. An overweight pet is not a healthy pet. It’s worth your dog’s safety and your peace of mind. Non-subscribers can read and sort comments but will not be able to engage with them in any way. I plan to contribute my skill as a dog sitting professional. One of the major pros of working with Wag!is that you are able to accept on demand dog walks. Supporting clients following the death of a pet. The main pros & cons of dog walking Recurring revenue: consistent and repeating charges add up to lots of revenue over the course of time while dramatically reducing your stress level of wondering where your business is going to come from In general though, drama is fairly minimal for professional dog walkers. 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