How to Start a Dog Walking, Pet Sitting, or Other Canine Business

Everyone loves their furry friends, with almost 70 percent of U.S. families (or 85 million households) owning a pet. Dogs are the most popular choice: over 60 million households are home to a canine companion.

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Business Startup Guides

Why You Should Start a New Dog Walking, Pet Sitting, or Similar Business

Is a Dog Walking or Pet Sitting Business Right for You?

A Day in the Life of a Dog Walking or Pet Sitting Business Owner

Skills Needed by a Dog Walking or Pet Sitting Business Entrepreneur

What Your Dog Walking or Pet Sitting Customers Are Looking For

Business Startup Guides

With this huge love of animals across the nation, there’s plenty of need for trustworthy, capable and caring people to become dog walkers or pet sitters.

You might not think of dog walking or pet sitting as a formal business, but with enough effort it could become an excellent way for you to make money as an animal lover. It’s not just dog walking or pet sitting either - doggy day cares, grooming studios and kennels are all in demand.

We want to help you get your business off the ground.
Since 2004, we've helped over 1,000,000 people start exciting businesses and bring their ideas to life. We'll give you the support, guidance and advice you need to create a woman-owned business and make it into a success.

Read on for some insight into creating your own dog walking or pet sitting business and becoming an entrepreneur. In this guide we will cover:

Statistics on why you should start a dog walking, pet sitting or similar business
Choose the right business structure for your dog walking or pet sitting company
Learn if a canine-related business could be right for you
Ideas for the type of dog business that you could form
Proving your dog walking or pet sitting business can work
Business plans for dog walking and related companies
Setting up your canine business, including location, equipment, employees, taxes, finances, licenses and more
Where to find dog walking or pet sitting business groups, forums and support
Helpful software for pet business owners

Why You Should Start a New Dog Walking, Pet Sitting, or Similar Business

The fact is that pets (and dogs in particular) are more than just animals - they’re family members. As a result, doggy parents lavish lots of love and money on their faithful companions. Here are some amazing statistics across the pet industry as a whole and on dogs in particular:

20M
Approximate number of dogs in households in the U.S.

$70B
Americans spend on their pets each year, which includes food, medicine, vet care, grooming and boarding

$6B
Americans spends just over a year on grooming and boarding

A little over 10 percent of that ($130) is spent per pet every year on sitting, walking, and kennels

On average, the total cost of a dog is around $1,200 a year

High-income households account for around 60 percent of all spending on animals

This is why dog walking, pet sitting, and similar businesses are so exciting - how can you be part of that success? We’re here to help you figure that out.

Is a Dog Walking or Pet Sitting Business Right for You?

Although it can be exciting to form a dog walking or pet sitting business, there will be significant demands on you as a small business owner. Here are some of the things you can expect.

A Day in the Life of a Dog Walking or Pet Sitting Business Owner

Here are some of the typical tasks you’ll be performing for your dog walking or pet sitting business on a daily basis:

Visiting the homes of pet owners and forming relationships with them and their animals

Understanding any unique needs, likes or dislikes of specific animals

Finding out about medical, dietary, or other canine needs

Managing your schedule so you can get to all your clients in time

Going for long walks with the dogs

Keeping dogs entertained and nourished

Skills Needed by a Dog Walking or Pet Sitting Business Entrepreneur

The following skills will be very useful in your role as a dog walking or pet sitting small business owner.

You will need to have a good understanding of animal behavior and how to deal with furry friends

You must be able to manage multiple dogs in close proximity with each other and deal with any potential issues

You should have excellent interpersonal skills so you can reassure and talk with pet owners

You will need to be prompt and have excellent timekeeping skills

You will need to build flexibility into your schedule — dogs and owners can be unpredictable creatures

You must enjoy being out in all weather, rain or shine

You must be able to handle pet-related emergencies (they’re not common, but they do happen)

You cannot mind dealing with pet toileting and other habits

What Your Dog Walking or Pet Sitting Customers Are Looking For

Your customers are trusting you with the well-being and happiness of their animal companions. This means demonstrating some expertise in animal handling and behavior, and having a good track record of caring for canines. Pet owners will want to make sure that their dogs are kept safe, that they won’t escape and that you will be able to deal with any special doggy needs or issues.

What Type of Dog Walking or Pet Sitting Business Should You Start?

There are several different types of dog-related business you can start.

Dog Walking Business

This is probably the easiest type of canine-related business to get started with. You will need the skills listed above, some equipment, a car to get where you’re going and not too much else. A love of the great outdoors and awareness of what’s happening around you will be essential, as will dog relationship expertise.

Pet Sitting Business

Whether you take care of a dog while the family is away on vacation or you’re just needed on short notice, the life of a dog sitter can be a good one. You can combine this with dog walking, and the type of service you offer could vary from being a stay-at-home dog carer to just visiting pups a couple of times a day for food and toileting.

Doggy Daycare, Boarding and Kennels

If you want a step up from dog sitting, opening a specialized dog care facility could be a great option. Whether you look after canine companions for a few hours a day or offer complete room and board, dog parents need a kennel they can trust to look after their furbabies.

Dog Grooming Business

There are plenty of dogs with hair that need regular cutting, grooming and washing to stay healthy and beautiful. Dog groomers are places that a doggy parent can get their dog’s coat washed, nails trimmed, hair cut and other cosmetic changes. You could open a pet grooming location or travel to your customers’ houses.

Validating Your Dog Walking or Pet Sitting Business Idea

These are all great starting points, but you will need to build on them to make the business your own. You have unique skills and insight that you can use to create a dog walking or pet sitting business that will really stand out.

You should already know the type of dog business that you're best suited to. A combination of your canine and business skills, experience and expertise will steer you in the right direction.

Whatever dog-related business you choose, it's likely that you will have several competitors in your area.

To stand out, you will need to build up a good track record and deliver superior canine services.

Not every idea you have will make it through to becoming a dog walking or pet sitting business. There are all sorts of reasons to say "yes" or "no" to specific approaches, so think about what your strengths and weaknesses are so you can choose a dog-related business you'd be great at.

Identify your dog walking or pet sitting business’ unique selling points (USPs)

Think about what you’re offering and how you make it unique. Perhaps you specialize in certain types of dogs, dogs that are behaviorally-challenged or dogs that really need to lose weight. Whatever area you decide on, work out how this sets you apart with doggy parents.

Look at who your competitors are in the space band

Dog-related businesses are extremely local, so it’s important to know who is offering similar services in the same geographic area. Once you know who your competitors are, see how you can further specialize your services and make them unique.

Understand your market

Clearly identify who your dog-parent customers are likely to be and exactly what they need. You will need to understand the best channels to reach them and the dog-related services that will appeal the most.

Talk to clients

Speak with potential customers to understand what they want from your dog business, and validate this by asking if they would commit to spending real money on them.

Your Dog Walking or Pet Sitting Business Needs a Plan

You might think that your dog-related business doesn’t need a plan, but you’ll find that a solid business model will help you become a success. A business plan will help you define how you’re going to run your dog walking or pet sitting business, market yourself, get sales, make a profit and grow.

You need to establish your canine business plan and model now, which is how you will generate sales, provide services, and make money. It’s best to get your plans in place now so you can start acquiring customers and generating revenue from day one.

Think about and predict financial projections for your dog walking or pet sitting business.

What are your expected sales and revenues? What is your profitability? How much money will you keep in the business to grow it? How much will you pay yourself and others?

Business plans do vary slightly, but they should all cover the following areas:

An executive summary with the most important points from your business plan

Your goals and what you hope to achieve with your dog walking or pet sitting business

A description of your business, background information, and context

A market analysis and likely demand

An overview of how your business is structured

Your business model

How you will market and sell your offerings

Financial projections, revenue, and profitability

Appendices

We’ve got the perfect guide to writing your business plan.

Right Business Structure

Choose the Right Business Structure and Register Your Dog Walking or Pet Sitting Business

There are five main business structures you can have in the U.S., and it‘s important to choose the right one. We‘ve shared your options below. They are:

Sole Proprietorship
This is the "default" business structure and is what your dog walking or pet sitting business will be if you decide not to create a more formal structure. We don't recommend this type of business as it doesn't give you the legal protections you need.

Partnership Company or LLC
Similar to a sole proprietorship, if you go into business with someone else without forming a legal business entity, you will be treated as a partnership. This doesn‘t give you limited liability protections, so we don't recommend it for your dog walking or pet sitting business.

Limited Liability Company or LLC
The most common type of business entity. An LLC is fast, simple and inexpensive to set up and maintain. It protects your personal finances and assets and is a great way to start your dog walking or pet sitting business.

S Corporation
This is a more complex type of business and isn't generally recommended for smaller organizations, like a dog walking or pet sitting business.

C Corporation
These are the largest and most complex types of businesses and are typically far more than the average entrepreneur or dog walking or pet sitting business owner will need.

For more information on the advantages and disadvantages of different types of businesses, please see our in-depth guide. If you've still got questions, we've answered them to help you choose the right business structure for your dog walking or pet sitting business.

In most cases, our recommendation for your dog walking or pet sitting business would be to create an LLC. We've got a complete guide to everything you need to do. LLC formation does vary from state to state, but we've got you covered, wherever you are.

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Setting up Your Dog Walking or Pet Sitting Business and Business Operations

Once you’ve legally created your dog walking or pet sitting business, you’ll need to get some other things in place.

Location

Your location needs will vary depending on the type of business you run. A dog walking business might operate from your home or car, whereas a groomer or kennel will need a dedicated facility. Consider factors like zoning laws, parking, accessibility, and whether you need space for multiple dogs at once.

Marketing Your Dog Walking Or Pet Sitting Business

Marketing will be a huge part of your dog walking, pet sitting or other business. Naturally, you will need an awesome website, but you’ll also need to get branding, digital ads, social media accounts, and other channels in place. Most of your advertising will be local, and you may want to get involved with local animal shelters, dog events, and similar to get the word out.

Software And Process

The right software and processes will make running your dog walking or pet sitting business much easier. See our list of the best apps and software at the end of this guide.

Employees

To start with, you will probably be running your business by yourself. Don’t think about hiring anyone else until you have a good customer base and can afford to expand.

Equipment For Your Dog Walking Or Pet Sitting Business

Like the location, your equipment needs will vary depending on the type of business you run. A dog walking business might only need leashes, collars, and treats, whereas a groomer will need all sorts of specialized tools and products.

Finances And Taxes

If you’re set up as an LLC or corporation, you will need a separate business bank account for your canine concern. Additionally, you will also need to keep careful bookkeeping records and file business and personal taxes. Here at Bizee we can even help you file your taxes.

How to Start a Dog Walking, Pet Sitting, or Other Canine Business

Business Startup Guides

Why You Should Start a New Dog Walking, Pet Sitting, or Similar Business

Is a Dog Walking or Pet Sitting Business Right for You?

A Day in the Life of a Dog Walking or Pet Sitting Business Owner

Skills Needed by a Dog Walking or Pet Sitting Business Entrepreneur

What Your Dog Walking or Pet Sitting Customers Are Looking For

What Type of Dog Walking or Pet Sitting Business Should You Start?

Validating Your Dog Walking or Pet Sitting Business Idea

Your Dog Walking or Pet Sitting Business Needs a Plan

Choose the Right Business Structure and Register Your Dog Walking or Pet Sitting Business

Setting up Your Dog Walking or Pet Sitting Business and Business Operations

The Complete ’Start Your Business’ Checklist

Rules, Regulations and Taxes for Your Dog Walking or Pet Sitting Business

Taxes

Insurance for Your Dog Walking or Pet Sitting Business

Maintaining Your Dog Walking, Pet Sitting or Similar Business

Groups and Forums for Your Dog Walking or Pet Sitting Business

Useful Online Tools for Your Dog Walking or Pet Sitting Business