If you love walking and being around dogs, or if you are a teenager wondering how to make money as a teenager, stick with me to learn how to make money as a dog walker. This is one of the best side hustles with very low barriers to entry, so stay with me.
To show you the potential this side hustle has, according to a pet owners survey of 2021/2022 by Statista, the dog is the most common pet in American households with 69 million homes owning at least one of these pets. Imagine what you can do with all these dogs.
Yes, you can become a dog walker and earn a full-time income if you focus on this job. A dog-walking service is a new trend that is gaining popularity. It is also a great option for people who want to earn and stay in shape at the same time by walking dogs on a regular basis.
In this post, we will discuss what dog walking is, what you need as a dog walker, and the best dog walking apps to help you get paid to walk dogs.
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How to make money as a dog walker and how it works
Walking dogs is an activity that has been around for centuries. However, it is only recently that people have started monetizing this hobby with some even making it a full-time job.
It is a great way to earn money for people with a lot of free time. It is also an opportunity for dog lovers to spend time with dogs and make some extra cash.
To maximize your earnings with dog walking jobs, you should consider adding other activities like pet sitting, pet grooming, or even just selling your pet’s poop to make sure you’re getting the best out of these jobs.
As a dog walker, you are responsible for taking care of dogs while they are out of the house. You need to take them out for walks, feed them, and give them love.
The job requires a lot of time and patience. It can be difficult at times but with the right tools and attitude, you can make it easier on yourself.
Below are some questions to ask yourself when looking for dog walking jobs.
- Do you love animals and specifically dogs?
- Do you have enough experience in caring for dogs?
- Are you patient with animals especially dogs?
- Can you interpret a dog’s mood and know what it needs?
- Can you deal with the different personalities of dogs?
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How to make money as a dog walker using the best dog walking apps
Depending on what your needs are, there are many dog walking apps that you can choose from if you want to use apps to make money as a dog walker. These apps are designed to connect dog walkers with dog owners and to make the process easier for both of them.
Some apps might be for finding new clients and scheduling while others offer more features like boarding and daycare options. Here is a list of some of my favorite apps that I recommend specifically designed for dog walkers and groomers.
Rover
The Rover dog walking app is similar to an Uber for dogs, offering convenience and flexibility for both dog owners and dog walkers. Apart from dog walking, they have expanded their services to pet care, grooming, and more.
Rover connects pet owners with dog walkers in their area. It also provides dog walkers with a map to find nearby businesses and parks where they can take the dogs for walks.
To work as a dog walker with Rover, you need to be over 18 years of age and pass a background check.
You start by setting up a profile on their website and when approved you can start accepting requests to walk dogs whenever it is convenient for you.
You have the flexibility to set your own hours, your own pricing, and your preference for the kind of dog you want to walk, for example, age, size, etc.
You may be wondering how much Rover pays per walk. The answer is that you can expect to make anywhere from $10 to $25 per hour on Rover. Keep in mind that Rover keeps 20% of your earnings for administrative costs.
Wag!
The Wag dog walking app is one of the world’s largest dog-walking app with over 100 million dog walks completed to date. With the Wag walker app, dog owners can connect with dog walkers in their area who have been screened and verified as professional pet walkers and sitters by the company itself. All this is done via a mobile application.
Dog owners get to choose which services they want from the dog walkers, for instance, walks or providing boarding services for their dogs or cats when they’re away from home.
The Wag dog walking app comes with a GPS tracker that allows dog owners to know the location of their dog. The company also offers Liability insurance and free training to dog walkers.
Dog walkers earn an average of $15 per hour in addition to tips that owners are allowed to give dog walkers for exceptional services.
As a dog walker, you have the flexibility of choosing your time and schedule of work. You can plan your walk days in advance or grab an instant walk when you have an hour to spare.
Care.com
Care.com has a presence in more than 30 countries helping millions of people to connect with caregivers. Although this platform provides many services like senior care, child care, cleaning, and more, they also have a dedicated service for dog walkers.
They base their pay on a dog walker’s experience and location but you can expect to earn an average of $14 per hour walking dogs.
Petsitter.com
This is a platform that is dedicated to connecting pet owners with service providers. They offer a variety of pet services including sitting, boarding, training, grooming, and walking.
Pet owners post jobs on the platform which dog walkers can scan through and apply for dog walking positions. The salary is negotiable but you can expect to earn an average of $15 per hour.
Dog walkers also have the ability to advertise their services on the platform for potential clients to see. Below is an example of a dog walker profile on the platform.
BarklyPets
The Barkly app is revolutionizing the pet industry. This innovative new dog walking app allows you to showcase your dog walking services and credentials and manage your business professionally with their extensive technology and marketing tools.
This website employs a commission-free approach to your earnings and you get to keep everything you earn from your hard work up to $100. After earning $100 in a given month, they charge you a membership fee of $8:50.
As a Barkly dog walker, you get a free website to advertise your services in addition to getting certifications to improve your credentials. Barkly also requires walkers to do background checks before they can work.
To get started, you need to fill out an application form on their website, and once approved you can start working. Barklay workers set their own rates and can make more than $1,000 in any given month.
PetBaker
Available in over 50 countries, PetBaker is among the largest pet service providers available in the world today.
PetBaker matches pets with trusted local service providers like dog walkers. Their services include dog walking, pet grooming, pet boarding, and more.
As a dog walker, you can create a profile on the platform indicating where you are located, the services you offer, and your charges. The app also shows the number of reviews from the customers you have served in the past and your star ratings. If you provide excellent services, you will be highly rated and attract more clients.
To start off, you need to apply and provide your contact details like your phone number and email address. Once you are approved, create a profile on the site and list all the services that you offer. You have the freedom to set your prices and choose a schedule that is convenient for you. After your listing goes live you can start accepting jobs.
Downloading the PatBaker app on your phone allows you to get instant notifications and accept jobs on the go.
Fetch! Pet Care
Fetch! is a platform that provides all aspects of pet care including pet sitting, pet walking, overnight care, etc. This app provides an easy way for dog owners to find dog walkers and pay them in cash or through the app for the services they provide.
To work as a dog walker for Fetch, you need to be an experienced animal lover with a great passion for pets. You also have to;
- Pass a background check which is mandatory
- Perform an in-depth interview
- Provide all the required personal information
- Be bonded and insured
If a pet owner likes you, you become their primary service provider and will be matched to them anytime they require the service. This makes it easier for you to get more work with less hustle.
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How to make money as a dog walker FAQs
How Much do you get paid to walk dogs?
What you make as a dog walker depends on many things like your experience in the job, the number of hours you work, the platform you use, etc.
Most dog walkers make $20/hour on average.
Dog walking services are offered by many companies, but the best option for a dog walker who wants to maximize earnings is to offer their services on their own website or social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. This way you get direct clients, set your own charges, and keep all the money you make since no one is taking a commission from you.
How can I earn more as a dog walker?
To earn more as a dog walker, do the following things;
- Make sure your profile is as complete as possible showcasing your experiences, your credentials, the services you provide, and anything else that may assist you to get more clients
- Encourage clients that you have worked with before to leave you reviews. The more positive reviews you have, the more clients you will get.
- Be honest about what you can do. If you lie to clients, they will give you negative reviews.
- Negotiate for better prices where you have the opportunity to do so.
- Take up more pet care services besides dog walking, for example, pet grooming, pet feeding, overnight boarding, etc.
- Walk more than one dog at a time to double or triple your earnings.
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What Skills Do You Need To Become A Dog Walker?
If you have a passion for animals, then becoming a dog walker is the perfect career path for you. Here are some of the skills and qualifications that you will need in order to succeed in this job:
- A love and understanding of animals
- A willingness to work long hours
- Experience with dogs
- Knowledge of how to handle dogs with different personalities
- Knowledge of different breeds
- Be physically fit to be able to walk for many hours
What are the benefits of using an app for dog walking?
There are many benefits of using an app for dog walking. It is convenient and easy to use. You don’t have to worry about being late for work or missing your walks because you can easily set your alerts and reminders and you receive notifications on the go.
What are the benefits of working as a dog walker?
As a dog walker, you’re in charge of your own schedule and you can make a lot of money. You have the flexibility to work as much or as little as you want. You’ll be helping people and getting paid to do so, plus, there are uncountable households where your services are needed!
How much time do I need to spend on each dog walk?
This is a question that many dog walkers ask themselves. It is important to know how much time you should spend on each dog walk so that you can make the most of your time.
In order for your dog walk to be effective, it needs to be tailored for the specific needs of the pet you are walking and the requirements of the pet owner.
If the need is to exercise the dog, then it is best to go for longer walks. If the need is to reduce a dog’s stress due to being indoors for long, then an average walk may be enough. However, if you are looking for a quick spot of fun with the dog then shorter walks are more suitable.
What are some of the best features of dog-walking apps?
Dog walking apps are great for dog walkers. Some of the best features of dog-walking apps include:
- Getting connected with pet owners that you would not have known otherwise
- Receive automatic alerts and notifications anytime someone requires your service
- Chatting with clients seamlessly
- Accepting jobs immediately
- Sending photos of your previous walks directly from your phone
- Being able to manage your business effortlessly
How can I promote myself as a dog walker?
You can use the following methods to promote your dog walking services:
- Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
- Use your own website if you have one
- Leave your flyers and contacts with local veterinary clinics and pet stores and ask them to give them out to their clients
- Ask existing customers to refer you to their friends and family
- Offer services to your friends, family, and repeat clients for a discount
Final thoughts on how to make money as a dog walker
Most pet owners know that their best friend is a member of their family and deserves to be taken good care of just like any other member of the family.
Dogs are not only man’s best friends, but they’re also a really busy bunch. They spend a lot of time caged and need to be walked on a regular basis.
If you’re looking for some new ideas to make some extra cash, I believe I have clearly outlined for you how to make money as a dog walker using some of the best dog walking apps. Which app do you want to start with? Let me know in the comments section.