How to Start a Dog Walking Business to Pay for College

Parents, have you ever considered how you’ll pay for college? What’s a great way to get in shape and grow a side hustle? Why not consider a dog walking business?

Starting a dog walking business isn’t just about earning an income. You can tap into so many other benefits — schedule flexibility, offering practical solutions for dog owners and a pathway to take care of a portion of your child’s college education. Plus, who can resist those puppy licks and love?

Here’s how to start a dog walking business to pay for college, and if you want to start small, how to start a dog walking business in your neighborhood. 

Key Takeaway

There are approximately 29,000 dog walking enterprises in the U.S. Starting a dog walking business can be a lucrative way to pay for your child’s college education. Arm yourself with a love for canines, some treats, dog training knowledge, credentials to start a successful business.

Why Start a Dog Walking Business to Pay for College?

Starting a dog walking business to pay for college has so many benefits, including the opportunity for supplemental income, flexibility, low overhead costs and long-term financial planning:

• Supplemental income: The most obvious benefit of starting a dog walking business is that it offers a reliable source of income to contribute toward your child’s college fund. It can help alleviate the burden of college tuition and expenses.
• Flexibility: Luckily, you don’t have to commit to a nine-to-five job with a dog walking job. You can walk dogs whenever it works for you! (Well, obviously within the confines of your clients’ schedules — the people, not the dogs.) Ultimately, you can balance your responsibilities as a dog walker with your existing commitments.
• Can work on the business with your child: Why not take your child along? Your college-bound child can learn more about building their own business in college. This comes with dozens of lessons, including entrepreneurship, financial management, customer service and the value of hard work. Plus, you can get in some quality bonding time. Who doesn’t love connecting with their high schooler and at the same time, teaching them about responsibility and work ethic? Your child can even learn how to start a dog walking business as a teenager.
• Low overhead costs: Luckily, you don’t need much in the way of capital to start a dog walking business. You likely don’t even need to purchase leashes, because the dog owners will likely have those for you. You may just need basic supplies like waste bags and great tennis shoes for walking. There’s no need for a physical storefront or expensive equipment.
• Long-term financial planning: Starting a dog walking business now means you’ll fund your child’s college education and set a foundation for long-term financial stability. You can keep growing your business even after your child graduates from college!

The amount of money you can earn is limitless, so consider setting a goal and going to town (literally!) with a dog in tow!

How to Start a Dog Walking Business to Pay for College

So, how do you get a dog walking business going? Is it as simple as grabbing a couple of leashes and hitting the pavement? Let’s take a look at some steps you can take.

Step 1: Understand the market.

Before diving in, it’s essential to understand the dog walking market in your area. Research the demand for dog walking services, what competitors are charging and any additional services they offer. Remember, your service isn’t just about walking dogs; it’s about offering peace of mind to pet owners who are unable to provide their pets with daily exercise due to work or other commitments.

Step 2: Craft a flexible business plan and build credentials.

A clear plan serves as the foundation of your dog walking business. Consider the following:

• Services offered: Besides walking, you might offer pet sitting, feeding or even basic grooming.
• Pricing structure: Determine how you’ll charge (per walk, per day, per week) and whether you’ll offer packages or subscriptions.
• Branding: Create a memorable name and logo that resonate with your target market.

Clients may also want you to demonstrate your credentials, such as your ability to do pet first aid/CPR, which you can get through the American Red Cross or Pet Professional Guild; basic dog training knowledge, insurance, bonding and membership in professional organizations. 

In addition, do your best to build client testimonials that can help establish trust and bring new customers to your business.

Step 3: Streamline operations with technology.

Leverage technology to manage your schedule, client communications, and payments. Platforms like ThriveNeighbor can be particularly useful, offering tools designed to streamline the administrative side of your business. This allows you to focus more on your studies and less on paperwork, all while providing a professional service to your clients.

Step 4: Market your services.

Utilize resources, social media and word of mouth to promote your dog walking business. Tailor your marketing efforts to highlight the benefits for busy college students, professionals and local residents. Emphasize the flexibility of your services, the health benefits for their pets and the peace of mind your reliability offers. Create flyers and business cards to leave in local pet stores or vet offices. Remember, your marketing should highlight the benefits of your services. 

Step 5: Deliver exceptional service.

Excelling in the dog walking business requires more than just showing up. Build strong relationships with your clients (both human and canine) by being reliable, professional and genuinely caring. Incorporate personal touches, such as sending updates during walks or remembering individual preferences to set your service apart.

Step 6: Manage your finances wisely.

Keep meticulous records of your income and expenses. Use financial management tools or software to track your earnings and budget effectively. Your goal is to make money while minimizing debt, so financial prudence is key. Consider setting aside a portion of your earnings for business growth or unexpected expenses.

Step 7: Balance business with everyday life.

The flexibility of a dog walking business is its greatest advantage. Schedule walks around your regular nine-to-five job and other commitments, ensuring you’re never compromising the rest of your schedule. Use the business as an opportunity to enhance your time management skills, balancing client commitments with academic deadlines and opportunities for rest and relaxation.

Step 8: Embrace the benefits beyond income.

Apart from the financial rewards, your dog walking business offers numerous benefits. It’s a chance to engage with your community, build a network, and develop entrepreneurial skills. Furthermore, the physical activity and time spent with pets can be a great stress reliever, offering a welcome break from the pressures of everyday life.

Step 9: Leverage online resources.

Tap into online resources to grow your business, such as running continual Facebook ads or promoting your business to a list. These resources can provide valuable insights, tools and networking opportunities to help grow your business and reach more customers.

Step 10: Seek feedback and adjust.

Ask for feedback regularly and be open to making adjustments. Whether it’s changing your routes, offering additional services or adjusting your pricing, being responsive to your clients’ needs will help your business thrive.

How Much Can You Make with a Dog Walking Business?

The cost of dog walking services can vary depending on various factors:

• Location
• Walk duration
• Number of dogs
• Additional services offered
• Reputation of the dog walking business

The average hourly pay in California is $16.99 an hour, according to ZipRecruiter. Pay ranges between $14.23 to $19.47 in California, though you might make more, such as up to $25 or $35 per hour.

Some dog walkers may offer discounts for regular or multiple walks per week, while others may charge extra for additional services such as feeding, administering medication or longer walks.

Dog walking rates may be higher in urban areas with higher living costs compared to rural areas. Research local dog walking businesses and compare prices to find one that fits your budget and meets your needs.

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How Effectively Can a Dog Walking Business Help Pay for College?

So, can it really help pay for college? It entirely depends on the number of clients you have and what you charge. For example, let’s say you walk three dogs for an hour each day, and you charge $25 per dog. 

3 x $35 = $75 per day 

If you walk them for seven days (three dogs, each day of the week), that’s $525, and if you do that for four weeks, you earn $2,100 per month. (That might be on the higher end of what you might be able to charge, depending on your area.) 

Throw in some extras, like grooming or giving pets medication, and you could earn even more! This one small business could easily help pay for your child’s college tuition, but again, it depends on the number of consistent clients you have and the amount they’re willing to pay.

Consider a Dog Walking Business to Pay for Your Child’s College Education

If you love dogs, this type of business may make a lot of sense for you! If you like animals in general, you could consider expanding your business — though it’s not likely that you’ll get a lot of traction from a cat-walking business! However, there is a great need for pet sitting when families go away on vacation or on holidays. 

Ultimately, consider how you might want to create a side hustle that revolves around pets and helps you craft a lifestyle that helps pay for college and gives your child countless opportunities.

FAQs

Is it hard to start a dog walking business?

Anyone can start a dog walking business because no formal qualifications are needed, though you do need to know a bit about handling dogs and dog training. You may also need to know some formal skills, such as pet CPR. Also, you may need a firm understanding of how to market your business to your area.

How do I start being a dog walker?

Start advertising your services everywhere — in coffee shops, in restaurants, in other businesses. Start running Facebook ads to dog owners in your area to make them aware of your services, and get one or two clients to give you a positive testimonial. Consider setting up a Facebook page and website to advertise your services as well.

Where do dog walkers make the most money?

As you might expect, dog walkers make the most money in large cities, so if you live in a large metropolitan area, you’ll have a lot of benefits in the form of potential clientele. Dog walkers make the most money in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and New York.