4th grader wants to start dog walking business

[Anonymous]

No responsible pet owner would let a 9 year old walk a dog unattended. And it's highly unlikely their homeowners insurance would let them either.

[Anonymous]

I'm going to add to the no, too young votes. I had a dog walking business for years and there are things that can go wrong that are a lot for an adult to handle. Even well-trained dogs are still animals and can act unpredictably. They can take off after prey, can be spooked by a car backfiring or any loud noise, can be attacked by other off leash dogs. Then they can also eat things on walks that can be toxic and you need to know in the moment how to react. I've also had clients leave ill fitting harnesses and collars which mean that I have to use my judgement whether to use my own (a liability if anything happens) or take the chance of a dog getting loose on a walk. It's not as easy a business as most people think it is.

For an animal loving kid, starting off with cat or other small pet sitting for out of town neighbors with a parent available would be a great way to get started. You may also find a shelter that he can volunteer with a parent to start learning about dog behaviors and care.