Do you love dogs and enjoy spending time outside? If so, becoming a dog walker could be the perfect way for you to make some money! In Canada, many people have busy lives and need help taking care of their dogs. That’s where you come in.
Walking dogs isn’t just fun; it’s also a job that can pay well. Whether you live in a big city like Toronto or a small town, there are always people who need dog walkers.
Let’s walk through how you can get started, find clients, and make money as a dog walker.
Why Dog Walking is a Great Way to Earn Money
A lot of people have jobs or engagements in Canada, so they require the services of a dog walker to occasionally take their dogs for a walk. Dogs have to be exercised daily to be healthy and joyful but not everyone has time to take his/her dog out.
That’s why dog walkers are in demand! If you are punctual and you like dogs, you could get paid for walking those dogs whose owners cannot do so.
Moreover, considering that you are taking care of your dogs you are afforded a lot of flexibility through dog walking.
Dog walking can be performed in the morning before going to school or work, or in the evening after coming home from work. Even better, you can walk multiple dogs at a go to make more money in less time compared to other jobs.
How to Get Started as a Dog Walker
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you start your dog-walking business:
1. Learn About Dog Walking in Your Area
The first thing you have to do is find out everything there is to know about dog walking in your area. Check what other dog walkers are charging and where there are so many people who walk their dogs.
In large cities such as Vancouver or Montreal, dog walkers are expected to charge between fifteen to thirty dollars for one walk. But if to look at the small towns the price could be a bit lower but we can see that there are still many opportunities.
To learn more, go through the Internet resources or apply to the specific platforms for pet-related services, such as Rover or Wag! which connect dog owners with walkers.
They also identify and approach fellow dog owners and engage them in a conversation asking them how much they charge for the services offered in dog walking.
This will enable you to set your rates suitably for the business you are inappropriately for you to be commercially viable.
2. Get Comfortable Around Dogs
Walking dogs isn’t just about putting on a leash and heading outside. Dogs can be strong, excited, or shy, and you need to know how to handle all kinds of personalities.
If you’ve never walked dogs before, you can start by practicing with your own dog, a friend’s dog, or even volunteering at an animal shelter.
Doing this will build your experience and make you feel more confident. It also shows future clients that you know what you’re doing, which is important for earning their trust.
3. Set Up Your Dog-Walking Business
It’s important to treat dog walking like a small business. First, decide what services you’ll offer. For example, will you only walk dogs, or will you also offer pet sitting, grooming, or dog training? The more services you offer, the more you can earn.
Next, figure out how much to charge. You can offer different options, such as:
- One-time walks
- Weekly or monthly packages
- Discounts for regular clients
Finally, decide how far you’re willing to travel to walk dogs and where you’ll walk them. Do you want to stick to your neighborhood, or are you okay with traveling further? Knowing this will help you plan your schedule and manage your time better.
4. Make it Official
Depending on where you live in Canada, you might need to register your dog-walking business. This helps you stay organized and ensures that you’re following local rules.
Additionally, you can get insurance in case something goes wrong while you’re walking a dog, like if the dog gets hurt or damages someone’s property.
Having insurance can help protect you and your business, giving you peace of mind.
How to Find Clients
Now that you’re ready to walk dogs, it’s time to find clients. Here are some ways to start building your business:
1. Join Dog Walking Apps
There are a lot of apps in Canada that connect dog walkers with dog owners. Some popular ones are:
- Rover
- Wag!
- Pawshake
These apps let you create a profile and list your services, making it easy for dog owners to find you.
While these platforms take a small fee, they handle things like payments and customer support, making your job easier. Plus, using these apps can give you more visibility and help you find clients faster.
2. Use Social Media
Basically, social media is very useful when it comes to creating awareness of your dog-walking business. To make this work, start an Instagram or Facebook page where you can post pictures of the dogs you walk, receive feedback from happy clients, and show how much fun is there walking dogs.
Similarly, Facebook with friends where you live and engage in local community marketplaces where you advertise your dog-walking services.
The more often people read your name the more they are likely to turn to you when they need a walker. To make sure that you are getting on the right track fast, this is fundamental to the growth of this business.
3. Tell People in Your Community
One of the most effective sources of business is recommendations from other people. Go door to door in your neighborhood, hand out flyers, and leave business cards at stores such as pet shops or veterinary practices.
You can provide a discount for the first few customers to enable the target marketplace to get properly established. Once they realize that you are dependable and capable of handling dogs, you will be flooded with referrals from friends.
This is a simple way of securing many people for the companies without necessarily having to spend a lot of cash on advertising.
How to Make More Money as a Dog Walker
Once you’ve got a few clients, you can start thinking about how to earn even more money. Here are some ideas:
1. Offer Extra Services
In addition to walking dogs, you can offer other pet-related services. For example:
- Pet sitting: Take care of pets while their owners are away.
- Grooming: Offer basic grooming, like brushing or bathing.
- Dog training: If you’re good with dogs, you could offer training services.
The more services you offer, the more money you can make. Some clients may even pay more for a “one-stop shop” where they can get all their pet care needs met.
This will also make you stand out from other dog walkers who only offer walking services.
2. Walk More Than One Dog at a Time
If you are up to it, you can train to walk multiple dogs at once is advisable. For example, if two people in the same neighborhood are looking for someone to walk their dogs, you could do them both at once.
By doing it this way, you are making double the amount of money with the time and energy you’re spending!
However be careful – ensure that you can handle more than one dog at one time, and don’t group together animals that perhaps don’t like each other.
This way the whole walk will not be a problem for everybody, and everybody will be able to enjoy it safely.
3. Create Long-Term Packages
One smart way to keep your clients happy and make sure you have steady work is to offer long-term packages.
For example, you could offer a monthly plan where clients pay upfront for a certain number of walks each week.
This way, you know you’ll have regular income, and your clients get a good deal. Plus, it helps build loyalty with your clients because they know you’ll be there for them every week.
4. Find a Niche
If you want to stand out, you can specialize in a certain type of dog walking. For example, you could focus on walking big dogs that need a lot of exercise, or older dogs that need gentler care.
If you’re known for being great with a specific type of dog, more people will come to you for that service.
This can help you build a reputation and attract clients who are willing to pay more for your expertise.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a dog walker in Canada is a fantastic way to make money, especially if you love spending time with dogs.
Whether you live in a big city or a small town, there are always people who need someone to walk their dogs.
Following the steps in this guide—getting comfortable with dogs, setting up your business, finding clients, and offering extra services—you can turn dog walking into a fun and profitable job. Plus, you’ll get to spend your days hanging out with adorable dogs, which is always a bonus.