Another Dog Walking Thread :)

[Chris1981]

Hi folks,

I'm sure you're all bored to tears with "I'm thinking about setting up a dog Walking business" posts by now. But on the off chance that there is anyone out there willing to divulge a little info I would appreciate it greatly. Its only a couple of questions really:

1. What proportion of your clients are regular (i.e once a week or more)?
2. Do you market yourself in the traditional ways(websites, phonebooks, leaflet drops etc, and if so how many people does your marketing reach (at a guess).
3. What percentage of those people use your services?
4. How long did it take you to build up your business to 'full time'
5. how many dogs do you walk a day?

Ok, so maybe more than a couple of questions- Sorry!!! I hope they are concise enough to be answered without taking up too much of your time.

Thanks everyone!

[lily74]

Hi,

I started a dog walking business three months ago and I advertise on dog walking now site.

It took a few weeks to get my first call, and now I have three clients, 2 out of the three twice a week and one as and when needed.

I walk two dogs from one household and 1 from another and also dog a pet visit

[bestforpets]

I run one-day courses for people looking to set up or develop their dogwalking and petsitting businesses. They are fully interractive and will give you lots of information - I set up my first business over 10 years ago and now run 2 very successful businesses but have learnt lots of lessons the hard way over the years.

Happy to provide further information if needed.

[newfiesmum]

Originally Posted by lily74

Hi,

I started a dog walking business three months ago and I advertise on dog walking now site.

It took a few weeks to get my first call, and now I have three clients, 2 out of the three twice a week and one as and when needed.

I walk two dogs from one household and 1 from another and also dog a pet visit

You are the first person I have read on here who actually got anything from Dog Walking Now.

To the OP, I don't do this myself but I would suggest you look on boards in pet shops and vets. This is where most seem to advertise and they leave a pile of cards on the counter as well. Here where I live, which is only a small town, I counted 10 different ones in the pet shop today.

It is worth checking out the competition before plunging in. But good luck with it.

[Lindsey Connor]

Hello,
I am new to the forum, and I am also thinking of doing a dog walking/ pet sitting service in my area (coventry).
I have been reading this forum, and as I read I have noticed that there is a lot that I had not considered.

To bestforpets, I am interested in learning more.
I would like to know how long the course takes to do and how much it would cost to do.

Thank you.

[Manoy Moneelil]

Good luck with your venture Lindsey, lots to read on these pages about the doggie side - but also consider the business side of things.

[bestforpets]

Lindsey - apologies for the delay - I've been away for half term. The course is a one-day course, all the teaching is face to face, nothing on-line and the groups are small so lots of opportunity for questions and 1-1 help. There is also the option of a 1-1 mentoring service to help you through the first few months. We cover absolutely loads of information and it is all based on 10+ years experience of running dogwalking businesses. The next course in this Friday (there are still a couple of spaces available), or Sunday 18 March. Both these dates are in Witney, just outside Oxford. Other venues are planned for later in the year. Cost is £150 for the day, includes lunch, tea, coffee etc.
Please let me know if you need any further information or contact me direct steph@bestforpets.co.uk