Anyone here a PT dog walker?

[Anonymous]

Looking for insight from anyone who works for or owns a dog-walking business. My dog recently died, and I really miss our frequent, long walks. I'm a teacher, and one of my planned sources of summer income recently fell through, so I'm thinking about applying to be a dog walker to an established company. (I don't have the business or marketing skills to start my own company, and don't want to do it during the school year anyway.)

I know it wouldn't be possible to earn good money as a dog walker, but I don't want to put effort in to a search that will result in pennies, either. A few questions: what is a decent rate, and how is it paid? Hourly? By the walk? Are commuting costs covered, or must those be factored in to one's earnings? Are dog walkers hired by companies assigned clients, or is it more like a franchise where they're basically expected to bring in their own clients? (This would be a deal breaker for me -- see bad business and marketing skills above.) Finally, I feel like I'd have to disclose my summer-only availability up front: would any company be interested in hiring a seasonal worker?

Thanks for any info.

[Anonymous]

I am not a dog walker but I use one and can provide info based on my experience. My dog walker works for a locally owned company; the owner also does walks. We pay $18/walk and I'm dying to know how much she takes home: it can't be much after she drives here, spends some time chatting if we're home, etc. She comes in all weather.

She does not recruit clients. She's been our walker for years but the company has provided others, and also sends a sub when she's not available, so summer and especially holiday availability seems like it might work (no idea what company pays for background check, that could make them reluctant).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looking for insight from anyone who works for or owns a dog-walking business. My dog recently died, and I really miss our frequent, long walks. I'm a teacher, and one of my planned sources of summer income recently fell through, so I'm thinking about applying to be a dog walker to an established company. (I don't have the business or marketing skills to start my own company, and don't want to do it during the school year anyway.)

I know it wouldn't be possible to earn good money as a dog walker, but I don't want to put effort in to a search that will result in pennies, either. A few questions: what is a decent rate, and how is it paid? Hourly? By the walk? Are commuting costs covered, or must those be factored in to one's earnings? Are dog walkers hired by companies assigned clients, or is it more like a franchise where they're basically expected to bring in their own clients? (This would be a deal breaker for me -- see bad business and marketing skills above.) Finally, I feel like I'd have to disclose my summer-only availability up front: would any company be interested in hiring a seasonal worker?

Thanks for any info.

I just started dog walking and boarding. I use Rover. I can set my own prices and so far I've gotten 3 clients and I just began last week. I love it. I too had a dog pass away and missed having a dog but also have a young child and want to wait a few more years before getting another dog. This is like the best of both worlds to me- I get a dog for an afternoon and I get paid for what I consider is fun! Rover charges 20% of my earnings but it's a great app that has a lot of features. I like that I have control over my schedule instead of a local company.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looking for insight from anyone who works for or owns a dog-walking business. My dog recently died, and I really miss our frequent, long walks. I'm a teacher, and one of my planned sources of summer income recently fell through, so I'm thinking about applying to be a dog walker to an established company. (I don't have the business or marketing skills to start my own company, and don't want to do it during the school year anyway.)

I know it wouldn't be possible to earn good money as a dog walker, but I don't want to put effort in to a search that will result in pennies, either. A few questions: what is a decent rate, and how is it paid? Hourly? By the walk? Are commuting costs covered, or must those be factored in to one's earnings? Are dog walkers hired by companies assigned clients, or is it more like a franchise where they're basically expected to bring in their own clients? (This would be a deal breaker for me -- see bad business and marketing skills above.) Finally, I feel like I'd have to disclose my summer-only availability up front: would any company be interested in hiring a seasonal worker?

Thanks for any info.

I just started dog walking and boarding. I use Rover. I can set my own prices and so far I've gotten 3 clients and I just began last week. I love it. I too had a dog pass away and missed having a dog but also have a young child and want to wait a few more years before getting another dog. This is like the best of both worlds to me- I get a dog for an afternoon and I get paid for what I consider is fun! Rover charges 20% of my earnings but it's a great app that has a lot of features. I like that I have control over my schedule instead of a local company.

Forgot to address some of your questions:

what is a decent rate, and how is it paid? Hourly? By the walk? By the walk or visit and by the day for pet sitting and boarding. You can take a look at sitters rates on Rover.com for comparison. Commuting costs need to be factored into your prices, although you can specify a radius for travel- I set mine at 10 miles.

[Anonymous]

Work from noon until about 5 pm or so, gross about 90K per year

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looking for insight from anyone who works for or owns a dog-walking business. My dog recently died, and I really miss our frequent, long walks. I'm a teacher, and one of my planned sources of summer income recently fell through, so I'm thinking about applying to be a dog walker to an established company. (I don't have the business or marketing skills to start my own company, and don't want to do it during the school year anyway.)

I know it wouldn't be possible to earn good money as a dog walker, but I don't want to put effort in to a search that will result in pennies, either. A few questions: what is a decent rate, and how is it paid? Hourly? By the walk? Are commuting costs covered, or must those be factored in to one's earnings? Are dog walkers hired by companies assigned clients, or is it more like a franchise where they're basically expected to bring in their own clients? (This would be a deal breaker for me -- see bad business and marketing skills above.) Finally, I feel like I'd have to disclose my summer-only availability up front: would any company be interested in hiring a seasonal worker?

Thanks for any info.

Some places will not hire workers just for the summer; some will. Where do you live? I may be able to recommend some companies. You will make more working on your own. Some companies pay poorly. Some pay great. For me, great was $14 for a 30 min walk.

[Anonymous]

I used to own an animal related business....you will be better off on your own. I never really advertised, just spread the word around a bit. No marketing or cards or whatever. You can work half as often and make the same cutting out the middleman, and set your own schedule.

Also consider pet sitting, esp if you don't have many family obligations. I pay a fortune to my pet sitter because we travel a lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some places will not hire workers just for the summer; some will. Where do you live? I may be able to recommend some companies. You will make more working on your own. Some companies pay poorly. Some pay great. For me, great was $14 for a 30 min walk.

.

OP here. Thanks. I am in NOVA, Falls Church/Arlington area.

It makes sense to cut out the middleman, but I don't want any startup costs in terms of money or time. I think at the very least I'd need to research the various insurance coverages I'd need and make sure to have the proper insurance, and then to do taxes next April for a "business" that I ran for a few months . . .ugh. I'd rather get a 1099 and be done with it, I think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I used to own an animal related business....you will be better off on your own. I never really advertised, just spread the word around a bit. No marketing or cards or whatever. You can work half as often and make the same cutting out the middleman, and set your own schedule.

Also consider pet sitting, esp if you don't have many family obligations. I pay a fortune to my pet sitter because we travel a lot.

Going on her own won't work for OP because she can only work summers.

I agree about considering petsitting, especially if you will stay overnight. You could make $100/day that way -- and still take additional dogs for walks during the day.