Walking with dogs is one of the most viable businesses you can venture into. Similar to most service-oriented companies, capital or start-up costs are minimal, while financial rewards can be high. With this type of dog business, you can combine work and fun, especially if you are a natural dog lover. So what are the steps or requirements to start your own dog walking business? The following list should be a useful guide.
• Plan, search, and identify your situation. Dog walking can be a home based business. But there are always circumstances in which you need to offer your service outside of your community or locality. You need to determine if there is a large population of domestic dogs that you can service. Most owners who use the dog walking service are those who are relatively busy working, studying, or attending to something important. Thus, the initial situation should not only affect the dog population, but also the real need for the service.
• Concerns about registration or business documents. The need for business registration and documentation will usually depend on the scale of the business going to the dog you are planning. Whether it’s a formal type or a large-scale business with an office, equipment, etc., you’ll have to go through the legal process. But if you are planning to have a dog company that is micro in nature and that you consider only as a side, you don’t need to insist too much on documentation requirements. You can always start your high-profit road service business almost instantly.
• Determine the price of your service. Price is one of the starting concerns for this dog related business. And when it comes to pricing your services on foot, the most ideal way is to charge an hourly rate. You can name the price you want. But the industry average ranges from a low rate of $ 10 to up to $ 25. You can alternatively check the existing rate in your area to set a more competitive starting price. Instead of charging by the hour, you can also charge the dog owner per visit.
• Learn to walk doga. If you are new to this project, learning the essentials for walking with dogs is a must. Dog owners are trusting their beloved pets. So it’s fair for you to know what you’re doing. Having the right knowledge will also ensure that you will provide the best or best service.
• Invest in your team. This business doesn’t just involve walking. It is essentially a way for a baby to sit a dog, therefore; will require you to have a complete set of dog essentials from tapes, dog food, certain care or training, cage, and so on. Since it is a business, you should consider these equipments and supplies as inputs or investments.
• Promote or advertise your service. Potential customers won’t know you’re in this dog business if you don’t let them know or inform them. After organizing all the things you will need in the business, the last thing you need to do to turn it into a high-profit dog walking service is to accumulate as many customers as you can, even if it is marketing and promotion. You can sell your service manually by visiting homes, pet stores and dog centers or, you can create ads and other interesting posters.