Dog Walking Business

If you enjoy being around animals, a dog walking service is one that is easy to start - requiring virtually no skill or start-up cost. As dog walking is a services needed on a regular basis, this work can conveniently provide a consistent form of income. A dog walking business also allows you to schedule your work hours when you want, not to mention the added benefit of a regular workout routine without having to set aside extra time or pay for a gym membership.

Start by contacting neighbors and friends, local pet stores, vets, pet grooming businesses, etc to let them know about your dog walking service. You can even leave free business cards with people to help advertise your new business for free! Of course, rates you charge will depend on the neighborhood in which you are providing your service. I have a friend who earned $75 a day for caring for just one dog, so if you find the right clients, the money is there!

Tips on Starting Your Dog Walking Business:

	Get references from friends, family and associates who know you and your experience with animals. Have them write letter of recommendation or even give you a one-sentence testimonial that you can give to prospective customers.
	Decide which services you will provide and how much you'll charge. You can add services later if necessary, just take care of the basics.
	Figure out how you'll accept money. You can accept credit cards through a free online service like PayPal. It's a good idea to have a separate business bank account for business income and expenses. Your bank may even let you set up a business bank account free of charge.
	Make sure you're "well-supplied" with extra leashes, collars, dog treats and water.
	Probably the best way to get dog walking customers is through word-of-mouth. You can also advertise at place where pet owners frequent, like pet stores, kennels or dog training schools - offering a generous referral fee for the companies who partner with you.
	You can take care of accounting and billing yourself with a software program like Quickbooks. Besides enabling you to keep track of your finances, you can print invoices, receipts and other documents easily.