How to Start a Dog Walking Business: The Ultimate Dog Walking Startup Guide

By M.L. Comer

Ever wonder how to start a dog walking business? Get your pet care business up-and-running fast! This ebook is loaded with how-to information that provides:

-Sample forms, contracts and promotional ideas
-Talking points when interacting with customers, property managers and employees
-Checklists for marketing materials
-Ways to find competent dog walkers when it’s time to grow your business
-Resources to use when starting and building your dog walking brand

Plus, learn what to look for in the competition and how to structure your business so that you are the preferred pet care provider.

• Language: English
• Publisher: M.L. Comer
• Release date: Dec 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005472566

Book preview

How to Start a Dog Walking Business: The Ultimate Dog Walking Startup Guide

M.L. Comer

This book is dedicated to the inspirational pups who it happen: Princess, Samantha, Ariel, Kedzie, Addison, Cleggan, Hiroko, Gabby, and my loves, Angel and Anabel.

Published by M.L. Comer and Distributed by Smashwords

© 2016 M.L. Comer. All rights reserved.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1

Why Do You Want to Join the Industry?

The Ability to Take Rejection

Understanding Finances

People Management

Managerial Honesty

Flexibility

Activity: Take an Inventory

Chapter 2

Establish Credibility From the Start

Insurance & Banking

Activity: Check the Numbers

Chapter 3

Secrets to Marketing Your Business

What will make your business different than the competition?

Making the Big Sale

Marketing Materials

Website & Domain Name

Dedicated Phone & Contact Access

Business Cards

Postcards

T-Shirts

Pet Care & Credit Card Forms

Forms of Payment

Social Media

Activity: This is the Fun Stuff

Chapter 4

Finding the Right Partners

Delivering Services in the Building

Partnering with the Competition

Advisory Committee

Activity: Asset Building

Chapter 5

Hiring reliable team members

Qualifications

Writing a Job Description

Advertising the Job

Interviewing

Bringing a New Hire On-board

Maintaining the Pack

Activity: Team Building

Chapter 6

Growing Your Brand

Complimentary Saturday Morning Walks

Event Partner

Referral Bonus

Buying a Competitor

Activity: Taking it to the Next Level

Chapter 7

When it’s Time to Move On

Conclusion

Appendix A: Competitive Analysis

Appendix B: Sample Help Wanted Ad

Appendix C: Sample Interview Questions

Appendix D: Sample Service Contract

Appendix E: Sample Overnight Visit Service Contract

Appendix F: Credit Card Authorization Form

Appendix G: Gift Certificates

Introduction

Long gone are the days when dogs patiently waited for their owners to come home to relieve themselves. Pet parents have become cognizant of their dog’s day-time needs, specifically an afternoon relief walk.

Over the past decade, at-home pet care businesses have exploded. It remains a lucrative small business if established and managed correctly. This e-book will walk you through the important phases of starting your business and maintaining credibility within the nearly $8.1 billion dollar* industry.

About the Author

A life-long dog lover, M.L. Comer started her pet care business as a side gig and gradually grew it into a managed company. In this e-book, she outlines easy-to-understand and actionable steps to become successful player in this profitable industry.

* American Pet Products Association (APPA), 2021, State of the Industry Report. The 8.1 billion includes services such as grooming, dog walking and boarding.

Chapter 1

Why Do You Want to Join the Industry?

Everyone has their own reasons for wanting to start their own pet care business. Most often, it’s one of the following:

They’ve been a dog walker for another company and have seen how easy it is to start a pet care business, and just need the nuts and bolts of building their own operation.

They grew up with pets and want a career taking care of them.

They are looking for a business and this fits the bill – mainly due to low start-up costs.

Elements in each of these reasons are correct. You need to love animals, it is relatively easy