Whether you’re doing it as a side hustle, want to stay more active, or just spend more time around dogs – becoming a dog walker can be a rewarding gig! But which also raises the question: how to become a dog walker in the first place? Sit tight, because we’ve got you covered – here’s everything you need to know to become a next-level dog walker, from A-Z. Let’s get started!

dog

Always know your buddy is healthy & safe

 Read more

How to become a dog walker

No matter whether you want to go pro or just have some spare time on weekends, here are a few tips for a stress-free dog walker career journey.

Figure out your clients & competition

Before you dive in, take some time to research your local dog walking market. This will help you figure out whether there’s a local dog walking business or platform you could get registered at (like Wag Walking or Rover.) It’ll also help you figure out what your clients are looking for in a dog walker they’d like to work with on the regular. You’ll also get an idea how other dog walkers around you are promoting themselves, what they’re charging, and whether there’s a gap you can fill somehow that’ll help you stand out better. For example, you might find that other dog walkers around you offer certain skills, experience, certification and training. So you should consider investing in these too.

Else, you might notice there’s a gap for:

  • Walkers offering to take care of senior dogs. (That might be more likely to wander away.)
  • Socializing puppies to other pets or people.
  • Highly active dogs – and a walker who can keep up with even the most high-energy breed.
  • Someone who can assure they can keep even a runaway dog 100% safe – with a dedicated dog GPS tracker.
brown dog wearing Tractive GPS dog tracker collar, app screenshot showing live tracking for dogs

Follow your dog anywhere

Get real-time location information, wherever they go. And find out when they try to make an escape, or just when they go somewhere they shouldn’t, with Virtual Fences.

Shop Dog Trackers

Pick up some on-the-job training

If there’s a dog club, animal shelter or rescue organization around you, consider volunteering some time to pick up some hands-on experience. These kinds of organizations can offer a ton of insight regarding dog behavior – including:

  • How to help a dog relax and trust you
  • What to keep in mind when you factor in a dog’s age or breed (like, for example, if you’re walking a dog with a high prey drive or a highly active dog breed)
  • What to do if the dog you’re walking runs away while out on a trail

You could also shadow a shelter staff member and pick up some tips and tricks. With time, you’ll get more practical experience into the day-to-day responsibilities your new role will involve. It’ll help you walk your dogs more confidently and with the peace of mind you know what to do, no matter what kind of situation crops up.

(Besides, you can also get them to endorse your skills and experience once you set up a dog walker profile and start promoting your services. A few kind words can go a long way!)

Get certified

With a proper certification course, you’ll be better-equipped to handle any situation your dogs run into when you’re on a walk outdoors. (Plus, it’s a major plus for you and your dog walking business brand.)

So consider taking a course with Pet Sitters International or the International Organization of Professional Dog Walkers as a start. These can help you troubleshoot problems like:

  • An aggressive dog at the park,
  • A high-energy puppy that just can’t stop crashing picnics,
  • A dog that keeps pulling at the leash,
  • …or all of these combined!

⚠️ If you’re considering offering your services as a dog sitter on top of a walker, you might need to show some formal certifications for it. Make sure to check your local laws so you can better understand these requirements.

Build some experience with people (and dogs) you know

Start simple and build some experience walking:

  • Your own dog (if you have one)
  • Your friends’ dogs
  • Your loved ones’ dogs
  • Your neighbors’ dogs

This can help you put what you’ve learned into practice – and grow more confident in your dog walking skills with time. Importantly, you could also ask your friends or loved ones to leave you a few kind words once you create a profile on a dog walkers app or platform. Their positive reviews can help boost your online presence and help you connect to more dog parents who could be potential clients.

💡 Building practice walking dogs can help you learn what to do in the ultimate emergency situation: aka, if and when the dog you’re walking runs away. (Whether yours or a client’s.)

Get informed on why dogs run away

No matter how pampered or well-fed they are – dogs can run away for all sorts of reasons. Some of which include:

  • Plain old boredom.
  • Hunting instincts, especially for certain breeds.
  • Mating instincts, i.e., if they sniff out a female in heat nearby
  • Fear
  • Anxiety
  • Stress
  • …and more.

And when it comes to becoming a next-level dog walker, you absolutely want to avoid a situation where your client’s dog has run away – and you don’t know where they’ve gone!

Read more:

Plan ahead for a runaway dog

Now imagine being a dog walker with a 100% safe walk track record? That’s what you get when you a) inform yourself what to do during an emergency, and b) actually plan ahead for an emergency. (Like a runaway dog.) That’s why dog parents around the world are investing in Tractive’s life-saving, GPS-powered technology.

Dog wearing the tractive dog tracker standing in a field of flowers. live tracking app screenshot in the foreground.

Now, with just a glance at your phone, you can track a runaway dog – as they move – all in real-time. Which, besides helping you figure out where your dog’s run off to, can also help you intervene that much quicker.

💡Even if your emergency contact doesn’t have a Tractive device themselves, you can quickly share their dog’s tracker location with Public Sharing. With it, you can create a link that allows them to see your tracker’s current location.

Because no matter what, it’s always worth it guaranteeing your dog’s safety – both near and far.

Get Tractive GPS

Plan ahead for all types of weather

Another key factor to stand out as a savvy dog walker? How well-prepped you are to handle any sort of weather.

Because all too often, you might overlook a step or two that could potentially:

  • End up with your dog experiencing heatstroke from warm weather
  • Damage your poor dog’s paws during snowy winter months
  • Give your dog a pollen allergy around spring
  • Infect your dog’s fur or paws if it’s damp or rainy outdoors

So before you head outdoors, it’s a good idea to check with your clients what health issues their dogs might already be experiencing. (Like a brachycephalic breed, that might overheat easily – or a small, thin-furred dog that might get cold easily.)

Next, get informed on how to work with the weather – not against it – when planning out your dog walks. These posts can help you prep even better:

💡You can also log in your daily walks with Tractive’s fun Walk feature. (Perfect for capturing those memorable moments – and also those pesky pollen-riddled areas on your daily walks together, so you can avoid them next time round.)

screenshot of the tractive gps app dog walk tracking feature

Get Tractive GPS

Get connected to dog parents around you

Start by creating a profile on dog walker platforms like:

  • Wag
  • Rover
  • My Pet Walker
  • GoWalkies
  • White Label Fox
  • Scout For Pets
  • …and many more!

Here, you can include your experience, skills, and certifications – and, of course, any kind words your friends or family members might have for your dog walking services. Services like these make it easy for you to connect with clients who want their dogs to get the exercise they need. Many of them also help you easily handle managing reviews and payments directly via their website or app.

Make sure to also look up average dog walking rates in your area and tailor these to:

  • Your experience level
  • How many dogs you can walk at once
  • Any other services you offer (like sitting)

It’s also a good idea to spread the word about your services through social media, local community boards, and even Craigslist. Encourage clients to refer your services to people they know so you can gain some new ones through word of mouth.

💡Want to get connected to thousands of pet parents and build your online presence? Head on over to Tractive’s Facebook and Instagram pages and get networking!