Love dogs and want to earn money while spending time with them? Starting a dog walking business could be your perfect next move.
Want to start your own business but unsure what to try? Whether you’re after a side hustle or a full-time job, this article will walk you through how to start a dog walking business from the ground up. From getting insurance to pricing your services and finding clients, we’ll cover every step to help you feel confident setting up a dog walking business that works for you and your lifestyle.
Key Points:
- Learn how to start a dog walking business with low setup costs
- Understand what insurance and checks you’ll need
- Explore how to market your services and build trust with clients
- Find out how to register, price, and niche your business
- Discover the pros and cons of starting a dog walking business
Why Start a Dog Walking Business
According to London Daily News, “on average, dog owners spent £713 on essentials, covering food (£352), vaccinations (£133), and vet bills (£228)” per year, totaling an annual expenditure of £1,486 for dogs, closely followed with £1,479 for cats, highlighting that the domestic pet industry can be a profitable outcome for many businesses depending on their needs. After all, a dog is for life, not just for Christmas.
However, most UK pet owners, especially dog owners, still need help when they’re back in the office or away on holiday. That steady demand means starting a dog walking business can bring quick, reliable income without a big financial risk. If you love dogs and fresh air, learning how to start a dog walking business could turn daily walks into a satisfying career that fits around family or other work.
1. Research Your Market First
Before ordering leads and business cards, look at what already exists in your area. Check local Facebook groups, Google Business listings and park notice boards to see:
- Typical hourly rates
- Whether group or solo walks are more common
- Busy pick-up times (e.g., lunchtime for office workers)
- Gaps in coverage for villages or new estates
Talking to walkers who live in different postcodes can also reveal pitfalls and tips no blog will tell you. Good groundwork now makes setting up a dog walking business much smoother later.
2. Work Out Your Start-Up Costs
You don’t need fancy tech or premises, but write down the basics so nothing surprises you whilst on your dog walking business setup journey:
| Item | Cost Range Est. | Notes |
| Public liability insurance | £80–£150/yr | Protects you if a dog causes injury or damage |
| DBS check | £18 (standard) | Builds trust with new clients |
| Marketing (flyers, simple website) | £100–£300 | Can be trimmed with DIY design |
| Leads, collars, treats, poo bags | £50–£100 | Buy in bulk for savings |
| Transport (if needed) | Varies | A small van helps when numbers grow |
Splitting these costs across your first month’s target bookings helps you see how quickly the business can pay for itself.
3. Get the Right Insurance
Nobody plans for mishaps, but they do happen. Look for a policy that includes:
- Public liability
- Injury or illness to animals in your care
- Loss or theft of a client’s dog
If you’ll carry house keys, add “loss of keys” cover; if you’ll hire help later, remember employer’s liability. A broker that specialises in pet trades will explain the fine print in plain English.
4. Arrange a DBS Check
While a criminal-record check isn’t a legal requirement, many owners will ask for proof. The online DBS portal is quick, and the estimated £18 fee is a small price to pay for peace of mind. Display the certificate number on your website and include a copy in your welcome pack to new customers.
5. Fine-Tune Your Pricing & Packages
Before quoting your first client, work out what an hour of your time must earn after fuel, insurance, and tax. A simple formula is:
(target income + monthly costs) ÷ billable hours = base rate
Most UK walkers charge £12 – £15 for a solo stroll and £8 – £12 per dog on a group walk. Offer bolt-ons—puppy pop-ins, weekend hikes, photo updates—to lift earnings without adding extra travel. Clear prices on your website show you know how to start dog walking business services that are fair and transparent.
6. Secure the Right Paperwork
Even a sole trader needs solid admin. Draw up:
- Service agreement – outlines walk length, pick-up windows, cancellation terms.
- Vet release form – lets you authorise emergency treatment.
- Data-protection notice – explains how you store client details.
7. Transport & Logistics
If your main area is walkable you can start on foot, but as bookings grow you may need a vehicle. Fit crates or seat-belt clips, keep blankets and water on board, and upgrade your car insurance for “business use”. Reliable transport not only widens your catchment area, it also shows owners you understand how to set up a dog walking business that puts safety first.
8. Know the Rules—And When a Licence Applies
- Dogs must wear a tag with the owner’s name and address (Control of Dogs Order 1992).
- Many councils limit you to four dogs at once; check local bylaws.
- Clean up waste or face on-the-spot fines of up to £100.
Adding home boarding? You’ll need an Animal Activity Licence from your council (budget £300) plus extra insurance. Build the licence timeline into your business plan so growth doesn’t stall later.
9. Find Your Niche and Shine
Thousands are starting a dog walking business each year, so give owners a reason to pick you. Ideas include:
- Breed specialist – e.g., high-energy Collies or flat-faced breeds that need gentler routes.
- Adventure walks – longer countryside treks for active dogs.
- Senior-dog sessions – slow, sniff-filled outings with ramp access to your van.
Niching helps you charge premium rates and ranks well when owners search “French Bulldog walker near me,” a smart SEO win for any dog walking business.
10. Pulling It Together
Knowing how to set up a dog walking business isn’t just about walking dogs—it’s about planning, paperwork and people skills. By researching demand, listing costs, and sorting insurance from day one, you’ll show prospects you’re a safe pair of hands. Follow these steps and you’ll be well on your way to starting a dog walking business that stands out for the right reasons.
11. Smart Marketing That Wins Clients
Learning how to start a dog walking business is only half the story—you also need owners to find you. An online footprint makes that happen.
Quick wins:
- Launch a one-page website with prices, service area, and happy-dog photos.
- List your profile on Rover, Bark, and local “dog walkers near me” directories.
- Join neighbourhood Facebook groups and post walk updates (with permission) to showcase your care.
- Add a Google Business Profile so reviews appear beside a map pin.
- Slip eye-catching flyers through doors on streets you already walk; 5,000 copies cost about £100 and can fill your diary fast.
If you drive a van, vinyl graphics with your logo and phone number turn every school-run queue into free advertising. Low-cost tactics like these keep marketing spend under control while you’re setting up a dog walking business.
12. Build Skills (and Trust) Before You Charge
No law demands qualifications, but handling four lively dogs on a windy day takes know-how. Start by shadowing an experienced walker or offering free strolls for friends’ pets. Then back that practice with short courses:
- Canine first aid: one afternoon, roughly £35.
- Dog behaviour & body language: online, £30–£50.
- Level 2 Certificate in Dog Walking : distance learning, about £30.
Adding certificates to your website signals that you value safety—powerful when you’re starting a dog walking business and need to stand out.
13. Simple Steps to Register Your Venture
Wondering how to set up a dog walking business with HMRC? Most solo walkers begin as sole traders because it’s quick and free. You’ll:
- Register online for Self Assessment.
- Keep basic records of income and costs.
- Submit a yearly tax return.
If you plan to hire extra walkers or sell branded products, forming a limited company can separate personal and business finances. Either way, open a dedicated bank account so payments, insurance fees, and mileage are easy to track.
Take your dog care business to the next level with our online dog grooming course
Positives of Running a Dog Walking Business
Choosing to start a dog walking business over a desk job brings more than just a different pay-packet:
- Daily exercise on the clock – regular walks add thousands of steps without a gym fee.
- Mood lift from canine company – studies link time with dogs to lower stress and anxiety.
- Low start-up spend – once you’ve mastered how to set up a dog walking business, ongoing costs are mostly fuel and poo bags.
- Reliable repeat custom – owners hate switching walkers once trust is built, so income soon becomes steady.
- Work your own hours – early mornings only? School-day slots? You decide.
- Room to scale – add extra walkers or pet-sitting services when your diary is full.
For many, these perks turn “just walking dogs” into a long-term career that slots neatly around family life.
The Downsides to Running a Dog Walking Business
Every venture has drawbacks, and setting up a dog walking business is no exception:
| Challenge | What it means in practice | How to manage it |
| Unpaid admin | Chasing late invoices, answering enquiries | Automate bookings and take |
| All-weather work | Clients expect walks in wind, sleet, or snow | Invest in quality waterproofs and plan safe routes |
| Physical strain | Multiple leads can pull shoulders and wrists | Limit group size and use waist belts for support |
| High responsibility | You’re liable if a dog bolts or bites | Hold solid insurance and keep first-aid skills current |
| Income dips | Holidays and work-from-home trends reduce demand | Offer add-ons (pop-in visits, puppy socials) to smooth cash flow |
Weighing It All Up
Learning how to start a dog walking business is as much about lifestyle fit as profit. If you love outdoor work, enjoy meeting people, and stay calm in a crisis, the rewards can far outweigh the downsides. Use the benefits to inspire your marketing and the challenges to shape policies that protect you, the dogs, and their owners.
Let NCC Home Learning Help You
If you’re serious about starting a dog walking business, learning some basics in marketing, bookkeeping, or customer service can make a big difference. We are proud to offer online business and management courses that can help you build and grow your venture. Not sure if this path is right for you? This guide on how to change careers is a great place to start. Be sure to check out our insights on the best dog breeds—useful if you want to specialise your walking services by breed.
FAQs
Is public liability insurance mandatory for dog walkers?
While not legally required, public liability insurance is strongly recommended. It covers you if a dog in your care causes damage or injury. Clients may also expect you to have it before they book you.
Can I start a dog walking business part-time?
Yes—many people begin as part-time dog walkers while juggling other jobs or family life. It’s a flexible business that can grow with your schedule. Just be sure to communicate availability clearly with clients.
What are the biggest challenges in running a dog walking business?
Common challenges include bad weather, physical strain, and admin tasks like chasing payments. But with good planning—such as insurance, booking systems, and clear contracts—these can be managed.
Sources
Zoglmann, A. (2025) This Side Hustle Can Earn Six Figures: How To Turn Dog Walking Into A Full-Time Biz. International Business Times. [online] Available at: https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/this-side-hustle-can-earn-six-figures-how-turn-dog-walking-full-time-biz-1735792 [accessed 07/07/2025]
LDN Guest Post (2025) UK pet owners spent over £1,450 on their dogs and cats in 2024. London Daily News [online] Available at: https://www.londondaily.news/uk-pet-owners-spent-over-1450-on-their-dogs-and-cats-in-2024/ [accessed 07/07/2025]
GOV.UK. (2013) DBS Update Service. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service [accessed 07/07/2025]
Legislation.gov.uk. (2010) The Control of Dogs Order 1992. [online] Available at:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1992/901/contents/made [accessed 07/07/2025]
Donnelly, D., (2024) Spending quality time with dogs ‘can reduce stress and anxiety’, study says. Sky News. [online] Available at: https://news.sky.com/story/spending-quality-time-with-dogs-can-reduce-stress-and-anxiety-study-says-13093963 [accessed 07/07/2025]
Nick Cooper
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