Overview of Dog Walking as a Business
Dog walking is a viable business if passionate about dogs. Upon Wag certification, increase chances of landing a job. An hourly wage of $15 to $17 is typical for a Wag walker. Using PetBacker app, spend time with dogs while earning. Set your hours and select provider to work with.
Factors Affecting Dog Walking Earnings
The national average hourly wage is $15. Location impacts earning potential. In densely populated areas with many dog owners, you are likely to have more clients and earn more. Rural areas require more travel time between clients. Experience matters too. When starting out, lower rates attract clients. As reputation grows, rates increase.
Dog Walking Rates and Earning Potential
Top earners charge over $100 per hour for overnight and specialty care. A featured dog walker earns over $100,000 annually. With over 23 million pandemic pet acquisitions and owners returning to offices, demand rises for dog walkers. Pre-pandemic, occasional client calls. Now, multiple calls weekly.
Essential Skills and Requirements for Dog Walkers
Skills include reading body language and emotions for safe, happy interactions. Communicating pet needs and preferences with owners also important.
Can You Make a Living as a Dog Walker?
Dog Walking has become a popular career choice with the increase in pet ownership. The amount you earn depends on location, job type, and walk duration.
According to VCA Animal Hospitals, 25-30% of North American canines are obese. Dog parents want to avoid health issues like diabetes and arthritis exposing their pets to via obesity.
Finding clients to ensure you can make a living as a dog walker involves marketing. Establishing an online presence through a website and social media plus connecting through platforms like Rover and Wag can connect you with clients.
Benefits and Considerations of Being a Dog Walker
Controlling multiple dogs at once and dealing with runaways requires physical stamina and authority. Other requirements include: coordinating schedules, understanding animal restraints and transportation kennels, ability to handle various dog sizes, obtaining licenses/permits. Cleaning up after dogs is necessary too.
Benefits of being a dog walker include meeting canine friends, independence in setting rates/rules, and making new human friends too – other walkers and pet owners.
Average Salary Range and Opportunities in Dog Walking
The 2023 average hourly rate for dog walkers is $14.85 per hour – about $30,893 yearly. Low-end jobs pay $9.80 per hour/$20,384 yearly. High-end jobs pay up to $21.15 per hour/$44,000 yearly.
Typically, walks are 30 minutes but some owners prefer longer 1 hour walks. Walking multiple dogs boosts earnings. For example, $10 per hour for 1 dog becomes $30 per hour for 3 dogs. Apps like Time to Pet help manage your business.
Steps to Become a Professional Dog Walker
Steps to become a dog walker: Take animal care courses, become certified, develop skills feeling comfortable with various dogs, have physical fitness for extended walks. Market yourself by word of mouth. Drawbacks include limited benefits but can be a rewarding, flexible career if you’re a passionate dog lover.