Becoming a dog walker is a constantly evolving profession. It allows you to combine your passion with your daily routine. But not just anyone can be a dog walker. To learn more, here are a few key things to know.
What Is a Dog Walker?
Do you have an unconditional love for our four-legged friends? Do you thrive in the great outdoors? Becoming a dog walker might be the perfect career for you.
This profession in the dog care sector gives you the opportunity to spend your days surrounded by happy companions, discover new places with them, and contribute to their health and happiness. But let’s not forget, being a dog walker also means running a business: scheduling walks, ensuring the dogs’ safety, and handling administrative tasks are all part of this job.
How to Become a Dog Walker
There’s no official training required to become a dog walker, but specialized training can be useful to gain knowledge about canine behavior, first aid, and how to manage a dog walking business. Additionally, some dog walkers choose to take certification courses to boost their credibility with potential clients.
If you're considering becoming a professional dog walker, the steps are fairly simple but require serious preparation. First, you need to choose the right training. Some people think it’s enough to just love dogs to do this job, but it’s much more than that. Specific training, especially in large cities like Paris, is often necessary to understand canine behavior and know how to act in emergencies. Then, you’ll need to obtain a certification of competence, a transportation permit if required, take out professional liability insurance, and possibly attend first aid courses. Once these basics are in place, you can legally work as a dog walker.
Pet Care Certifications in the U.S.
Aspiring pet care professionals can pursue a variety of certifications to demonstrate their knowledge and credibility. One of the most recognized options is the Professional Pet Sitter Certification offered by Pet Sitters International (PSI) or the Certified Professional Pet Sitter (CPPS) credential provided by the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS).
These programs are not mandatory to work as a dog walker or pet sitter, but they add significant value and trustworthiness in the eyes of clients. Courses are available both online and occasionally in person through workshops or partner institutions. Topics typically include animal behavior, basic health and nutrition, safety procedures, first aid, and ethical practices. Gaining this knowledge helps ensure pets receive the highest standard of care, and it can make a big difference when marketing your services.
Many platforms such as Fetch! Pet Care, Wag!, or Rover also provide onboarding training and background checks, which can further reassure potential clients.
What Qualities Are Needed to Be a Dog Walker?
First and foremost, to be a good dog walker, you need to have a true passion for these animals. You should have a deep understanding of their needs and specific traits. Additionally, being able to manage relationships between different dog personalities helps to handle potential conflicts.
This professional also needs to build trust with the human client. Asking the right questions helps to understand the owner's training philosophy and the behavioral foundations already instilled in the animal. For instance, does the dog respond to recall, and if so, to which command (come, heel, here...). What are the dog’s habits during walks: does it often approach other dogs or is it more fearful or shy? A dog walker must be able to manage and organize group walks as well as routes.
The owner is entrusting a beloved companion and must feel confident leaving their pet in good hands.
What Is the Average Salary of a Dog Walker?
First of all, the city you work in can have a significant impact on your salary, since rates may vary depending on demand and the cost of living. Then, you can walk multiple dogs at once, because the more you walk, the more you can potentially earn. In addition, if you offer extra services like pet sitting at the owner’s home, this can increase your income. On average, dog walkers can earn between $12 and $25 per hour. But beyond the financial aspect, this job also gives you the chance to spend time with adorable pets, making it a rewarding experience on many levels.
The Responsibilities of a Dog Walker or Dog Sitter
The dog walking profession isn’t just about simply walking dogs. It also involves taking care of our four-legged friends while ensuring their safety. That includes taking dogs out for regular walks, making sure they relieve themselves, managing undesirable behavior, and reacting appropriately in case of emergencies. The dog walker must be able to earn the trust of both the animals in their care and their owners, which requires not only technical skills but also a great deal of empathy and patience.
Career Growth Opportunities:
The dog walking profession can evolve and be complemented by various other skills. A professional can become a dog trainer, a behaviorist, or even open a boarding kennel. These three examples of career paths require specific training and can perfectly complement the dog walking job.
The dog trainer specializes in teaching basic obedience commands for living in a community. The dog must know the basics of social behavior to be able to live peacefully among others. The owner must understand the techniques in order to continue the training at home. The dog should be able to walk calmly on a leash without interfering with the owner's path, and be accustomed to handling for vet visits, etc.
The behaviorist, on the other hand, focuses on undesirable dog behaviors. Dogs that are aggressive, fearful, or destructive should see this professional to regain balance and well-being. Being both a behaviorist and a dog walker makes it easier to manage a group, as it allows for the immediate identification of dogs that might disrupt the walk.
Opening a dog boarding facility is an ambitious project, but very achievable today. Families love to go on vacations or weekend getaways, but they can't always bring their pets along. If a dog walker also runs a boarding kennel, they already know the animal they’ll be caring for and can plan their schedule around holidays and existing commitments.
How to Find Clients:
First of all, before launching the business, it's essential, just like with any other venture, to conduct a market study to evaluate the project's viability.
Finding clients as a dog walker is a constant necessity. It's crucial to advertise through veterinarians, dog training centers, groomers, etc. Getting your name out there requires effective and targeted outreach. In fact, a dog walker doesn't have a storefront that can promote itself.
Word of mouth remains a reliable way to grow your client base from your first satisfied customers. But before that happens, advertising on social media (Facebook Ads, TikTok, Instagram, etc.) helps you target a specific audience of qualified prospects in a defined geographic area. Consider hiring a digital marketing agency if needed, or simply grow your social media presence with exclusive, dynamic content to attract the attention of your first clients!
Pro Tip: How to Choose the Right Dog Walker
If you're a dog owner considering hiring a dog walker, it’s important to choose wisely. Make sure the person holds a TAV certification (Transport of Live Animals) if they’re offering this service professionally. This certification is required if the professional needs to transport dogs for more than 40 miles (about 65 km). Signing a clear and detailed contract is also essential to avoid any misunderstandings. Ask about the dog walker's experience and references, and don’t hesitate to inquire about their work methods and rates.
Many websites now connect pet owners with local dog walkers across the U.S., including Rover.com, Wagwalking.com (Wag!), and Care.com, just to name a few. Feel free to check them out to speed up your search and get helpful advice if needed.
Why Choose Dog Walking as a Career?
Choosing a career as a dog walker allows you to combine passion with work. It’s a rewarding profession that not only lets you spend time outdoors with our four-legged friends but also contributes to the well-being of both pets and their owners. Whether you choose to do this job full-time or as a side activity, being a dog walker requires dedication, skill, and a true love for animals.
Becoming a dog walker is a real career project, and it’s currently very popular. It allows you to thrive in a field you’re passionate about, while also complementing another job. Now that you know more about it, do you think you're cut out for this career?
