They may also ask for confirmation of vaccination and ifyour dog is spayed or … Naturally, those horror stories are few and far between. Though Rover has recently added their RoverGo service, which also provides on demand services, it’s relatively new and most pet owners are already familiar with Wag! A professional dog walker won’t mind – because they don’t have anything to hide. When you lift up that Dog Lead they are genuinely delighted and excited to go for their walk. I'm searching for a dog sitting professional employment opportunity in Las Vegas, Nevada. In general though, drama is fairly minimal for professional dog walkers. But they should be enough to get you thinking more carefully about whom you trust with your pet and your home. If you choose to buy a product as a result of a referral we will receive a fee. 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. The benefits of being a dog walker are tremendous. We aim to have all comments reviewed in a timely manner. Occasionally, dogs get amped up by the midday walk, and find it impossible to calm down upon returning home, leading to misbehaviour caused by boredom or lack of stimulation. Make sure you look into insurance, such as personal accident & illness insurance, which can cover lost earnings. The Benefits of Being a Dog Walker in New York City. 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. 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. Services And Training: I am comfortable doing cat feeding, providing long walks, and exotic pet care. 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 Click here to subscribe. There’s an awful lot to learn (and unlearn) about the dogs themselves in order to keep both the dog and the walker safe. Dog walkers may charge higher rates for walking your dogs on holidays. If you need additional help — like feeding the dogs or giving them medication — dog walkers may be able to provide this service at an additional fee. Careful, professional dog walking demands technical skill, physical stamina, and in-depth knowledge of everything from dog behavior to pet first aid to … Bonus! 351 King Street East, Suite 1600, Toronto, ON Canada, M5A 0N1, Just $1.99 per week for the first 24 weeks, var select={root:".js-sub-pencil",control:".js-sub-pencil-control",open:"o-sub-pencil--open",closed:"o-sub-pencil--closed"},dom={},allowExpand=!0;function pencilInit(o){var e=arguments.length>1&&void 0!==arguments[1]&&arguments[1];select.root=o,dom.root=document.querySelector(select.root),dom.root&&(dom.control=document.querySelector(select.control),dom.control.addEventListener("click",onToggleClicked),setPanelState(e),window.addEventListener("scroll",onWindowScroll),dom.root.removeAttribute("hidden"))}function isPanelOpen(){return dom.root.classList.contains(select.open)}function setPanelState(o){dom.root.classList[o?"add":"remove"](select.open),dom.root.classList[o? What emergency vet do you use? 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. Plus, what happens when your client goes on holidays? 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. Arrange to be home sometimes when your dog walker comes by – pay attention to how your dog reacts (hint: your dog should be happy and excited, and your walker should be calm and help to control and contain that excitement – not encourage it). Phew! If you’re a busy dog owner who works outside the home, making plans to take care of your pet’s daily needs is a continuing concern. While ads on Kijiji and Craigslist can be a place to search for a dog walking service, avoid ones that say, “I’m a student looking to earn some extra cash …” Your dog and your home deserve a professional who is completely committed to what they do. Do your research, ask hard questions of both yourself and your potential dog walker, and you’ll find a safe, suitable solution for you and your pet. Predictability. 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. Comments that violate our community guidelines will not be posted. The Pros To Being A Professional Dog Walker. Watch it disappear almost effortlessly as you work! Most dogs need to get at least one walk in a day. A Dog Walking Business – The Pros and Cons Starting a dog walking service is like any other business; you need to consider the pros and cons. Gum boots and rain coats at the ready! 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So if you’re considering a career as a professional dog walker, don’t go into it blind. One website, SexOffenderJobs.com, suggests dog walking and petsitting as an ideal business for sex offender registrants with an entrepreneurial streak. … Plus, don’t forget to check out the insurance options to consider. – Will you provide a postwalk report to notify me of anything unusual (such as loose stool, altercations, change in appetite, ingesting foreign objects)? (A dog walker is not a substitute for your work as an owner, namely twice-daily walks, with some play and training mixed in.). Enjoyable exercise — Forget hitting the gym at six o’clock in the evening when every other man and his dog are there; as a dog walker, daily exercise is part and parcel of the job. Independence ­— Running your own dog walking business can be great, providing you set boundaries from the very start. This is a space where subscribers can engage with each other and Globe staff. If you enjoyed reading this, take a look at the other posts in this series: Pros and cons of starting a pet sitting business. Alas, you can’t be in two places at once. I plan to contribute my skill as a dog sitting professional. After all, even the very best jobs in the world have a downside. She works alongside her fur pal Chewie (a border terrier) to deliver information that is accurate and relevant to our readers. are really pleased and happy to see you. A love of animals, along with trustworthiness and consistent availability, can be a sign that you could be successful in starting a pet-sitting business. Be it the pets’ owners, people in your local community or other dog walkers, being a dog walker can be really sociable and lead to some awesome friendships. Consider this: Some dogs, especially young or high-energy ones, need far more exercise than they’ll get on a simple one-hour outing. No office politics & drama — Surely no one can be bothered with office politics? 2. Check out these marketing tips for dog walking businesses and pet sitters. Flexibility — Okay, so a dog walker will have to adhere to appointment times and you may be expected to start early in the morning. Welcome to The Globe and Mail’s comment community. Your dog walker is the person who will treat your pooch to a midday bathroom break, give him a chance to get out in the fresh air and take in the sights and smells – and hopefully enrich your dog’s life. Will the dogs be the same each week? (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.). Whether it’s creating a website, doing a mailbox drop or advertising in a local newspaper, it’s important to have a plan from the very beginning. For example, the dog you’re walking might get into a fight with another dog. Happy Dogs. However, at the start you’ll just have to make a concerted effort to be nice and bite your tongue! Variable income — Similar to a freelancer, a dog walker’s income can vary. If you love dogs, but you aren't sure yet if this would be a good job for you, I would like to share some reasons why I believe being a dog-walker/sitter is absolutely the best. A great place to start is by word of mouth – ask local dog owners, your veterinarian or dog trainer which walkers they recommend. Readers can also interact with The Globe on Facebook and Twitter . Nearly 75% of Americans are overweight and childhood obesity is on the rise (close to 20%). An overweight pet is not a healthy pet. Furry friends — Being a professional dog walker you get to meet lots of canine chums. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Finding clients — If you’re lucky word of mouth will generate clients. provides owners with the option to add a tip right in the app, while R… Carting around some extra weight? This means they are bonded, insured and carry the appropriate business licences and permits for the area in which they operate (ask to see hard copies). There are dogs without any age or behaviour-related problems who are happy to bypass the excitement and energy level of a big runabout with a lot of other pets. (Chris Young for The Globe and Mail), Due to technical reasons, we have temporarily removed commenting from our articles. Unless you happen to also offer a pet sitting service, you might miss out on a chunk of earnings. However, the job … – Do you evaluate dogs for temperament, energy level and size, and group them accordingly? ), – What steps do you take when you drop my dog off? In addition to regulating its diet, to … Whether you are thinking about becoming a dog walker or hiring the services of one, it’s a win-win for everyone involved. However, it’s important to know if they have a plan and appropriate response for an unfortunate situation. (This is not a deal-breaker – accidents sometimes happen. Walking a dog may help you boost exercise motivation, manage stress and build a … Frees Up Time. Here’s why: A one-hour walk is usually less expensive than a full day of play. You should consider if the insurance is suitable for you and ensure you understand the full details of any product you are interested in purchasing (including inclusions and exclusions), by carefully reading the Product Disclosure Statement or policy wording before buying the insurance. Take the time to research the role and carefully consider the ups and downs. You have the independence to set your own rates, specify what days you’re available (although turning clients away on days you’re not available can be tricky) and set down your rules. Because there are very few prerequisites (the main one being a love of dogs) for starting dog walking services it is all so easy to think, well it’s only walking dogs how difficult can it be? Dog walkers are getting health benefits without actually owning a pet. Some offer an “on-call” service at short notice if you’ve been kept late at the office or get stuck in traffic. Hiring a dog walker offers a lot of perks for both you and your pet, and can be a better choice than a dog daycare. Here are some of the key pros and cons of being a professional dog walker. Benefits Of Dog Walking Services. Professional poo pick-up — The more dogs you walk, the more dog poos you’ll be picking up. (This question is only helpful if you actually call, not e-mail, the references provided. Most often, dogs are walked near midday, but some walkers provide services at other times, which can be helpful when, say, you’re trying to get the kids off to school in the morning. New friends — Aside from the fantastic fur friends you’ll make, if you’re lucky you’ll also meet some great humans too. The Pros Of Being A Professional Dog Walker. Professional dog walking services have a lot to offer American families and households, but it’s always worth looking at how much these kinds of businesses will help busy commuters or others to manage their schedule and provide for their pets while they are away.. Benefits and Disadvantages of Dog Walking Services. Once you’ve decided on a walking service, stay in close touch. 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. Depending on the breed of dog, that number may actually be higher, as more active breeds need more exercise. Here are some of the less fun things about being a professional dog walker. Though dog walkers of course have their appointments they must meet but it certainly is nowhere near like a stuck up 9-5 schedule and it also is often much more pleasant to speak to the four-legged doggy clients then experiencing the newest drama in an office setting. Dog walking improves exercise motivation, stress control and community spirit. This information is provided as a guide only and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask your advisor or BizCover. Stories you don’t want to hear, but need to know about. However, the job is not as rigid as an office-based nine-to-five role. 4. If the … Professional dog walker: PROS. Still super keen on starting a career as a professional dog walker? – How many dogs do you have in your care at one time? That means: If you do not see your comment posted immediately, it is being reviewed by the moderation team and may appear shortly, generally within an hour. We all know that walking your dog is an extremely important part of maintaining a happy and healthy dog. This is a space where subscribers can engage with each other and Globe staff. If you would like to write a letter to the editor, please forward it to letters@globeandmail.com. Intense Weather. Most cities have limits on the number of dogs allowed under one person’s control at a time (usually six), as well as how many of those dogs are allowed to be off-leash. as an on demand provider. The fact that people are willing to hire a dog walker acknowledges the fact that they understand they can’t give the dog what they need with the limited time they have, and they care enough to pay someone to do it for them. Owners are more comfortable leaving their animals in the care of those with some sort of veterinary background. Meet your actual dog walker – not just the owner of the company – and confirm that he or she will be the same person entering your home each day. Here are just a few reasons why: It will help you get in shape — and get paid for it. Los Angeles, CA - September 10, 2018 - Wag!, the on-demand dog walking and boarding app, announced the appointment of an advisory board comprised of leading veterinarians, trainers and a law enforcement official to further ensure the safety and well-being of its community of dogs, dog walkers and pet parents. If you want to know how to become a dog walker, the most obvious step is, of course, learning about dogs. Keep looking. Brown specializes in on-leash walks for dogs that don't do well in large group settings. Learn about salaries, benefits, salary satisfaction and where you could earn the most. You may even want to consider joining or observing your pet’s walk as it unfolds – whether planned or unplanned. 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). Welcome to The Globe and Mail’s comment community. Thank you for your patience. 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