How to Start a Dog Walking Business?

With many dog owners having their own jobs to handle, they can’t take the hassle of walking their dogs. This is one of the reasons pet-walking business is on the rise.

The very first and important thing is qualifications. The ones that will really enhance your standing in comparison to others are first aid and animal behavior courses. These on your CV will assure the owners that their pets are in safe hands. Apart from this, the (obvious) prerequisite is: loving dogs. You can’t start a ‘dog’ walking business if you hate dogs. The other thing you need to be adept at, is handling these dogs and making sure they behave. You should have strong nerves and confidence to handle a dog for situations like other dogs attacking your dog or vice versa.

The initial investment in a dog walking business is not that huge. However, you need to get a CRB check before you start it. The areas that can cost you money are dog training courses. These can really help you and boost your knowledge about how to handle those furry friends. Some dogs can be very aggressive and it will help you a lot to start learning on how to handle these situations. Apart from this, if your clients live far away from where you live, you might need transportation to and from their house.

There are many advantages to starting this business. You won’t be bound by a nine-to-five schedule. You get fresh air and exercise and get to see your furry friends while you do your job. The cons include working in all weathers, and dealing with exuberant dogs.

You need to have specialist insurance before you commence your business activities. This insurance covers your public liability as a legal requirement. You need to have ample cover for your needs which may include liability, property damage, lost or theft of keys, and transit and custodial responsibility.

As far as the CRB checking is concerned, though it may not be a legal prerequisite, it sure is essential. This boosts your reputation as a dog walker and ensures your clients about your credibility. When you are in a dog walking business, you need to handle you clients’ keys sometimes and pick or drop dogs whilst the owners of the house are out. So some clients may ask for you to get a CRB check.

Other things you need to consider are the knowledge of walking areas that are far from roads and traffic. This reduces the chances of your dog running in to traffic and the jeopardy resulting from it. Also, you need to have permission from the owner of the dog before you open the leash of the dog. This is because the insurance will not cover you if you don’t. also, make sure that the dogs you walk are perfectly safe and vaccinated. Diseases can spread from one dog to the other. To ensure safety, make sure the dogs are up to date with their vaccinations.

All in all, a dog walking business has a whole set of prerequisites stated above. It would really help you if you followed these for these will make your life easier as an owner of the business. Happy Dog Walking!

The Pros and Cons of Starting a Dog Walking Business

When have you ever heard the statement, “Dog walking is easy and requires no skill”? Even if you haven’t there is a fair majority of people who think so. Some people look down upon this line of work and many of us don’t even count of it as ‘work’. Also, majority of people think it is easy money. There are reports which state that this industry has a high turnover because of the hassle. We are here to help you decide if this business is your thing.

Looking at both sides of the equation is very essential. The first advantage of being a professional dog walker is that you don’t have a 9 – 5 schedule. You have to meet appointments of course, but no one said it will be restricted to 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Also, the hassle and stress of the office takes a backseat when compared to the experience of walking a dog.

In addition to this, the exercise you get whilst walking a dog is the best for you. You don’t need to burn calories at a gym after the healthy walk with the dogs. That is like killing two birds with one stone! Also, the fresh air is guaranteed to make you feel better, and while you’re doing your job, too! Apart from this, the happy dogs waiting for you every day is a sight to behold and is definitely going to make your day even better. The dog gets calmer after his or her walk and the happiness on the owner’s face is reward in itself.

The best part is, when you love dogs but can’t keep one, the profession fulfils your need of interacting with a furry friend! However great the rewards are, there are always disadvantages to everything. What follows is a list of demerits of being a professional dog walker.

The first disadvantage that comes to mind is that you’ll be out there with the dogs in every weather. Be it summer or winter, the love of walks never diminishes with dogs and you are going to be in business regardless of the weather. So be it very sunny or very cold, you have to be out there with the dogs.

Secondly, calling in sick from an office job is easier. Taking care of a furry living thing besides you is tough and you just don’t want to disappoint that cute little face. Also, if your clients move away, there is a chance of losing money. If you have contacts with people who own dogs, good for you; but if you don’t, you have to suffer. Also, many people cannot afford daily walks for their dogs and that too for a long term basis. Also, some people may prefer to do it themselves when they feel the costs are adding up to too much.

All in all, the job has both, good and bad things attached. If you want to be a professional dog walker, make sure you get educated and certified. Learning how to interact with dogs helps too. Licensing is also an essential. So make sure if you are about to start this business, you have all the prerequisites.

Pet Sitting as a Business

Pet sitting as a business is one of the good ways to enter the animal industry. Advantageous to the owner of the business in the form of flexible hours, flexible working area and in terms of business expansion, this business has a lot more to offer.

The first thing you need to do is registering for some sort of a business license as that is a requirement before you start to accept clients. Contact a legal advisor before you apply for licensing to know all the aspects of this business and where liability can poke its nose.

Many pet sitting business operate as either a sole proprietorship, or a limited liability company. Sole proprietorships are businesses which are commenced by one person and where the personal assets of the owner are not separate from those of the business. On the other hand, a limited liability company is where, if the individual has assets, these are separate from the business and he or she is not personally liable for any debts of the business. Also, before setting your foot in to the business, it would be very wise to consult an accountant and knowing the basics. It helps in budgeting and financing activities of the business.

Coming towards the topic of insurance, it is available for pet sitting businesses. An insurance policy will definitely help you out in case the pet causes damage to property or gets hurt. The initial cost you put in is worth it, especially if it saves you time and money later on.

The next thing you need to consider is marketing. Marketing is the most essential thing that places your business out in to the open. It helps potential clients know that you are out there. Get the word out by designing flyers or business cards. You can even distribute pamphlets or place these at various vet clinics, departmental stores and pet stores. Keeping these flyers where your target audience is most likely to visit is a great idea. You could always post ads online on various pet websites or various public places. Parks are a good way of advertising where people might walk their dogs.

Consider getting a website designed and use it to market effectively and to create contact with your target audience. You can also post an ad in a newspaper or newsletter. You can provide detailed information about the needs you cater to and your credentials. All this advertising is sure to help you out in making a strong position. However, don’t just make empty promises, when you get your clients, make sure you deliver on the

For every client that you visit, keep a record of all their emergency details and phone numbers. Also, keep a record of their pet breed, and other details of the pet. Health history and vaccination details are also important. For clients who call you often, stay updated on the health of their pets. It will make them feel that you care also, it will be helpful for your records too.

Now that you have an idea, you can start working. HAPPY PET SITTING

Dog Walking Jobs

Are you looking for a -Dog Walking Job?

Dog walking can be a great career and a lucrative one too, if the idea of having a dog walking job excites you and you have a genuine love of dogs then you will love every minute of it.

There could be many reasons why you are looking for dog walking jobs but the main one is usually when people are looking to earn some extra money, and why not, dog walking jobs can be very lucrative - try out our pet sitters and dog walkers income calculator to estimate how much you could earn from dog walking:  http://www.narpsuk.co.uk/calculator/calculator.html

Do you need to have experience in dog walking? - the simple answer to that question is YES, no one is going to give their beloved dog to a stranger without doing thorough checks first and they are going to want to know what experience you have and how trustworthy you are.

If you don't have any experience in dog walking then before offering a dog walking service you need to get yourself some first, you can do this by offering a free service to friends and family or by getting in touch with your local boarding kennels and offering your services for free. You should also seek out some 'dog walking' books or take a dog walking course - having a qualification behind you is a great way of showing credibility.

So now you have some experience - what's next?

If you don't want the responsibility of running your own dog walking service and would prefer to work for a company then you need to seek out the dog walking businesses in your area via Google or by popping into your local vets and looking on the notice boards, contact them and ask if they are looking for help and tell them what you can offer.

Next you need to get yourself a basic disclosure criminal record check because for dog walking you will probably be holding the owners keys to collect their dog while they are at work, you can apply for this yourself via Disclosures Scotland via their online link at a cost of £25.00 http://www.disclosurescotland.co.uk/apply-online/ you will need to hold this whether you are working for yourself or if you have a dog walking job.

OK, so now you have some experience and you have your criminal record check, lastly you need insurance, there are many insurers who offer dog walking business insurance and if you join NarpsUK you can get this for just £71.55. If you take a dog walking job via a company then they will already have insurance that covers you too.

So now you are ready to go, you now need to market your services and sell yourself to potential customers. Get some flyers made up (these are free to NarpsUK members), put the flyers in local pet shops, dog groomers and vets, in fact put them up where ever you can. Get your details on pet related websites that offer free listings, if you join NarpsUK you will get extra work from there.

Most dog walkers charge between £8.00 - £15.00 per hour depending on which part of the country you live in. You should Google the term 'dog walker' with your town name next to it to look at other dog walker's websites to find out how much they are charging or you could use the NarpsUK post code search facility to find a local dog walker and check rates. Most dog walkers do not walk more than four dogs at a time, once or twice a day, be sure to pair them up so that the two dogs walking together are compatible. We do not recommend that you let dogs off leads and remember you will need to take dog mess bags with you to clean up dog mess.

You can get all of the forms and contracts you will need by joining NarpsUK too

Now if you are serious about a dog walking job then now is the time to start

Responsible Dog Walking

NarpsUK have terms and conditions in place for its dog walking and pet sitting members, two of these conditions is that no more than 4 dogs should be walked at one time and that only dogs where you can guarantee their recall should be let off leads.

These terms and requests of cooperation are not there to annoy or to be ignored; they have a significant purpose in terms of safety and fun for you, the dogs and other people.

 As you’ll know, parks and recreational grounds are available for everyone to use, including those without pets, and those who don’t like or who are scared of dogs. They’re often used by young children and families as well as pet people and equally passionate other dog walkers. Because of this it is vital that all dog walkers stick to the high standards and terms set out by NarpsUK.

Explanations for the standards and their enforcement are expanded below:

Groups of dogs can be intimidating to other dogs. They can encourage aggression, fear and/or unwanted attention, potentially leading to fights, bites and dogs becoming frightened to walk in the area. Any more than 4 at one time is deemed unsafe for one person to control. You cannot always judge and rely on a dog’s temperament; even the most placid and friendliest of dogs can switch their behaviour very quickly should they feel threatened or overwhelmed.

Some people and children are not ‘pet’ people and can feel uncomfortable, panic-stricken and scared around dogs. It can’t be assumed that others using parks enjoy dogs or enjoy being around them, nor is it fair to do so. Everyone has the right and freedom to use parks and recreational grounds for their personal or sporting use. Dog walkers should not spoil and ruin this time for other people, children and their parents.

To a person or family who are not used to or are scared of dogs, it is truly frightening and intimidating to be approached by dogs, particularly if the walker does not understand.

A group of dogs running towards children and or any person can be seen as unsafe and threatening. The person or people are unsure what to do, where to go, how to behave or react. Screaming, shouting and/or running away is often a reaction of a scared person or child, but this will alert the dog or dogs who can switch into protective or fear mode… cue more potential aggression, bites or dogs becoming frightened themselves.

The physical effects on children, adults and the elderly results in an increased heart rate and an increased breathing rate, and fainting can occur at its extreme level. They do not know if these dogs will attack them, bite, growl or knock them over, and it is unacceptable to place a fellow person in this position. You understand the dogs you’re working with, but they can see things very differently.

The elderly and children are particularly vulnerable. A single incident with a dog can leave a child with a lifelong fear of dogs, making a significant impact of their lives now, and in the future. Those of us who enjoy the company of dogs would not wish this on anyone. Dogs who are circling, running around, charging and jumping up is immense fun for the dogs and you as walkers. For the elderly and children (and parents) however, it can be terrifying - not to mention dangerous; they are easily knocked over, leading to injuries such as bruising, scratches, cuts, dislocations and broken bones. (As you’ll be aware, bones and joints of children and the elderly are not as robust as adults and are easily damaged.)

Joining with other dog walkers dramatically increases these problems. Attention must be on your own dogs at all times. If you are distracted by, for example, talking to other dog walkers and their group of dogs, your own group in question may be causing frights, stress and chaos with other people and families. Being unaware of your group’s behaviour and whereabouts increases the likelihood of them defecating in unsuitable areas and you not picking up their faeces. The potential for you to miss cries for help or requests to recall your dogs is huge.

Dogs must only be let off their leads if you are 100% CERTAIN you have complete control and faith in their recall ability. The consequences of not having this self-assurance results in accidents, injuries (dog and human), fights, lost dogs, defecating in unsuitable areas, zoonotic diseases infecting the public, and people being intimidated or scare. Some will avoid the park or areas completely.

As a professional dog walker you’ll understand that walking dogs on behalf of their owners is a responsibility and honour they have entrusted you with. Taking the same relaxed approach as you might perhaps with your own animals is not sensible or safe. There are numerous further incidents which can also occur, the majority of which are preventable and containable by staying within the guidelines set by NARPS UK.

It is possible that in the future separate walking areas within parks and recreational grounds may be created. Until such time, NARPS UK wishes everyone safe, fun and professional dog walking. If you have any questions or concerns about this information, please contact www.narpsuk.co.uk or call our customer service team on: 01322 683 564.

Dog Sitter Business - What is a Dog Sitting Business?

A dog sitting business is another name used for a dog home boarding business or a pop-in service where the pet sitter will go to the client’s home and sit with the dog/dogs. The way dog sitting works is that a dog owner who is possibly be going on holiday may type into the Google search bar ‘dog sitter London’ and the search will retrieve details of many pet sitters or dog sitters in London, the pet owner will make contact with the dog sitter and arrange to go along to visit the dog sitter with their dog, providing both parties are happy with the arrangement the dog owner will turn up on the agreed date to drop off her dog to be cared for by the dog sitter for the agreed dates.

When seeking a dog sitter a dog owner should ensure that the dog sitter has certain credentials in place before using them. They should be licensed by their local authority if home boarding and should also hold a certificate of insurance, if they are coming to your home you should ask to see a copy of a current criminal record check. You should get references either by looking at feedback on the dog sitter’s website or from independent review sites or ask if you can call and speak to one of the dog sitter’s existing clients. Visit the NarpsUK pet owners page for tips and advice.

Also if home boarding ask if there will be any other dogs boarded with your dog while your dog is there and also check the garden is secure.

A professional dog sitter will ask you to fill in the relevant forms and contracts and leave an emergency number as well as veterinary details and a copy of your dog’s vaccination certificate.

Once you are satisfied that your dog is in good hands you can go on your vacation reassured that your dog will be well cared for and happy while you are away.