ilovemyheckler Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 Does anyone on here do dog walking as a career? I am looking for a change and was wondering what it was like. How do you start, what do you need to know etc? I assume you need insurance, CRB check etc. How many dogs can you walk at any one time? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrowningB525 Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 Apparently it can be well paid in places like London. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lord_seagrave Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 (edited) There was a great thread when ME gave some cracking advice on publicising a dog-walking business. To do it well needs planning and dedication, irrespective of any official documentation you might require! LS Edited January 21, 2016 by lord_seagrave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danger-Mouse Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 I looked into it a while back. You need insurance, a vehicle, possibly permits depending where you will walk them and whether you will offer boarding. Lots of info here http://www.bdws.co.uk/2011/06/01/how-to-become-a-dog-walker/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lord_seagrave Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/topic/185651-advice-ref-wifes-new-business/?fromsearch=1 There you go. LS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjimmer Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 A chap picks up a terrier from the old dear across the road and I never see any other dogs in his vehicle, but when I see him walking, he's got 10-12 dogs with him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daz2202 Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 (edited) My sister does it. She also does dog home boarding. Insurance is under £200 per annum Council licence is £130 per annum She charges £10 for a 1 hour dog walk or £14 for 2 dogs. It's not easy and it doesn't earn much. Even on a busy day. However it is very much a life style job and does work for her as my mum has Alzheimer's and it does allow her to be around a lot to help out my dad with mums care. (We all live within a mile of each other ) she couldn't do this when she was in full time employment. We also own between us a 2 acre secure field which is great for dogs that cannot be trusted not to run off. This gives her something that other dog walkers do not have to offer Edited January 21, 2016 by daz2202 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 A friend of mine did it between jobs-did quite well out of it by taking several at a time but said that the best earner was to offer a little basic training at the same time-also had permission on farmland on the basis that he picked up any "eggs". Training was simple according to him-the dogs are easy, its the stupid owners that take the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted January 22, 2016 Report Share Posted January 22, 2016 (edited) Potentially it has quite good earning power but you are very tied down to the routine. People want their dogs walked every day and you have to fit in with their requirements, there are dog walking websites where people advertise. Insurance is essencial. I knew a lady who did dog sitting a couple of years back and virtually lived rent free, such was the demand she was very rarely out of work and stayed in some wonderful houses in London and Home counties. Often for weeks at a time. Edited January 22, 2016 by Vince Green Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old man Posted January 22, 2016 Report Share Posted January 22, 2016 Think I read somewhere a while ago that the maximum is 4 at once? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plank06 Posted January 22, 2016 Report Share Posted January 22, 2016 We pay £5 for half hour going upto £9 p/h when he's a bit older. It's our choice wether the lady walks him with other dogs but we choose to as he loves any other dog! She's insured and does it as a proper business. I suppose the money comes from walking a few at once and not long hours! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twistedsanity Posted January 22, 2016 Report Share Posted January 22, 2016 The woods round here are often filled with middle aged women who have several dogs with them, basically the dogs run wild completley out of control scaring the **** out of everybody else with a dog and there is no way the walker can keep tabs on and pick up all the dog doo they drop, not just one woman but several different ones. If you have access to private land then great but otherwise they should be banned from letting them off of the lead in public places. There have been a few consultations where other folk have tried to get this banned or restricted to certain areas and as mentioned before i think they are soon to be restricted to 4 at a time, probably they will take a friend with them now and shre the responsibility to get round the new rules. The trouble is you don't need to know anything about dogs to take this up as a living you just need to "think" you do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daz2202 Posted January 22, 2016 Report Share Posted January 22, 2016 Think I read somewhere a while ago that the maximum is 4 at once? My sisters insurance is a maximum of 3 dogs at anyone time unless they are from the same household. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyska Posted January 22, 2016 Report Share Posted January 22, 2016 Why a CRB? That doesn't cover bumming dogs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie-fox Posted January 22, 2016 Report Share Posted January 22, 2016 Why a CRB? That doesn't cover bumming dogs Maybe the dog walker has to go into your house to collect the dog if your at work, so a CRB check to make sure your not a thief maybe.. Or a dog ****** in a former life.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acsimmo Posted January 22, 2016 Report Share Posted January 22, 2016 When I'm on tour or exercise I pay £5ph to the lass that takes mine out. She takes him just on his own. She also asked to come out with us for 2 walks to see how he recalls etc and make sure he would listen to her off lead. She has also got CRB, think it's to do with not having criminal past etc as she has key for house. She is looking to get fitter and earn pocket money whilst kids are at nursery. Can't fault her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davewh100 Posted January 23, 2016 Report Share Posted January 23, 2016 my next door neighbour does this for a living she has our dog tuesday & thursday 10am till 1pm £16 for both days he absolutely loves it put picks on Facebook so we can see what they have been up to brill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted January 25, 2016 Report Share Posted January 25, 2016 The woods round here are often filled with middle aged women who have several dogs with them, basically the dogs run wild completley out of control scaring the **** out of everybody else with a dog and there is no way the walker can keep tabs on and pick up all the dog doo they drop, not just one woman but several different ones. If you have access to private land then great but otherwise they should be banned from letting them off of the lead in public places. There have been a few consultations where other folk have tried to get this banned or restricted to certain areas and as mentioned before i think they are soon to be restricted to 4 at a time, probably they will take a friend with them now and shre the responsibility to get round the new rules. The trouble is you don't need to know anything about dogs to take this up as a living you just need to "think" you do You have just described what happens at Ruislip Woods, near me, perfectly. Dog walkers use it because its not parkland so there is no picking up requirement. Chorleywood common is the same, dogs running everywhere off the lead. Tried to take my sons up there years ago to fly a kite and there was so much mess all over the place we came back. You can see the vans pull up, hand over four or five dogs to the "walker", load the dogs she has just walked and drive off to deliver them back. An hour later he will be back with another four or five dogs and the process repeats again. At ten pounds per dog its not a bad business. Probably all cash in hand too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingo15 Posted January 25, 2016 Report Share Posted January 25, 2016 Maybe the dog walker has to go into your house to collect the dog if your at work, so a CRB check to make sure your not a thief maybe.. Or a dog ****** in a former life.. No it just means they have never been caught Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted January 25, 2016 Report Share Posted January 25, 2016 There have been a few appear local to us in the last year or so. We recommend one that will look after your dog all day as well as just walking. This is great for people on holiday who want to go out for the day and not take the dog and can't leave it in the tent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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