How would i advertise my dog walking business?

Oct 01, 2008

I want to start a dog walking business for summer but how do i advertise it around my local area? also what do people exspect from a dog walker, i mean apart from walking their dog!

My daughter started by leaving cards at the Vets, in Supermarket's notice boards, newsagents, shop windows and the local pub!
She moved on to the local newspaper and then into Yellow Pages.
She started from the dog walking to feeding them when owners asked her (£5 a visit), which went on to feeding cats and doing litter trays if owners were away.
Then she began taking in small caged animals into her own home (budgies and bunnies, etc)
She eventually had a web site – with letters of recommendation from satisfied clients.
Took other pet carers onto her books – they were self-employed at £5 per hour but she received a booking fee.
Then she emigrated and sold the business for a 4-figure sum!
Best of luck in your venture – watch out Richard Branson!!

23 Comments

emmarose October 1, 2008 at 4:16 am

Put cards in your local shop windows, maybe a small advertisement in your local free newspaper. If I needed a dog walker, I would expect them to come for my dog at a set time, and exercise them for half an hour, and then return them safely. Details can be discussed when you have an interview. Good luck
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rolinol October 1, 2008 at 4:51 am

Paper shops (newsagents), vets, groomers, maybe the shelters. Be prepared to be asked what your experience is, whether you have insurance, police check, whether the dogs will be walked solo or in a group etc. Once you start word of mouth is usually your best advertising so always provide a good service. Good luck with it.
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sa_char_uk October 1, 2008 at 5:22 am

Try advertising on supermarket notice boards, as well as petshops. Put an advert in the local paper. Advertise as much as you can. Perhaps you could put a flyer through peoples letterbox in an area where there are alot of dogs.
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b.w. October 1, 2008 at 5:32 am

Put up flyer's in stores, laundry mats and on telephone poles. I would expect the dog walker to: Be on time Walk the dog for the agreed on amount of time Keep my dog on a lead Be patient ( no yelling at or hitting/kicking or jerking my dog) Not have so many dogs as to lose control Return the dog "unbroken" Good luck...
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Kellie K October 1, 2008 at 6:00 am

put your business cards in your neighborhoods mailbox put adds in the paper ask local dog groomers to refer their customers to you for walking their dogs. things like that and just simply putting flyers up around your neighborhood
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Hamster tazzy October 1, 2008 at 6:15 am

post questions in your local supermarket, or put an ad in a newspaper. I suppose you could try posting flyers through peoples letterboxes too, if you can afford that sort of thing :s hamster tazzy
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Veronica Alicia October 1, 2008 at 6:31 am

My daughter started by leaving cards at the Vets, in Supermarket's notice boards, newsagents, shop windows and the local pub! She moved on to the local newspaper and then into Yellow Pages. She started from the dog walking to feeding them when owners asked her (£5 a visit), which went on to feeding cats and doing litter trays if owners were away. Then she began taking in small caged animals into her own home (budgies and bunnies, etc) She eventually had a web site - with letters of recommendation from satisfied clients. Took other pet carers onto her books - they were self-employed at £5 per hour but she received a booking fee. Then she emigrated and sold the business for a 4-figure sum! Best of luck in your venture - watch out Richard Branson!!
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Ken N October 1, 2008 at 6:43 am

post flyers at all local vets, shelters, pet stores and apartment complex (high priced) this hits those who would USE your service.
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lisa l October 1, 2008 at 7:22 am

if i need to advertise stuff i go the local supermarkets all shops in your town put in local paper i hoe this helps
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cakes4africa October 1, 2008 at 8:07 am

Put up notices on pin boards at the supermarkets, approach dog owners in the Park with a little pamphlet, or put pamphlets out at your local vet. Here in Germany, our local dog walker takes about 4 dogs at a time. Three are elderly and well behaved so that they walk along without a lead and the other two are on leads. Sometimes the one is tied around her waist and the other in her hand. She normally takes the dogs out for an hour at a time. Some stay with her for the whole day. So, a dog walker must be able to control the dogs, especially when two males get into a conflict, or two females, likewise. Then the dogs poos have to be picked up and discarded. I do not know about the insurance, but here in Germany, each dog owner has to have an insurance eg. in case the dog runs in front of a bus and causes lots of people to be injured (can be very expensive).You must also check whether the dog is easy to walk (well behaved) or whether it is aggressive or pulls on the lead, that would be rather tiresome in the long run.
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basketball11 October 1, 2008 at 8:26 am

use Internets, flyer's,anything to advertise! make flyer's then put them all in mailboxes. and it matters what you put on the flyer's that matters what you do for being a dog walker. I mean you could wash them, comb them, walk them, groom them, feed them, and teach them trick's, or just walk them.
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uk_earth_worm October 1, 2008 at 8:54 am

The best way to advertise is with a leaflet drop in the areas that you will cover. People want someone who are reliable and trust worthy. They want someone who is not afraid of difficult dogs and has the ability to handle dogs well. FOr instance my dog barks and sounds really visious when someone comes to the door which pus many people off but once he has been introduced he is fine ad as soft as anything, he jst has a big bark and likes to be heard by strangers. You need to listen to the dog owners needs. Some may want you top walk thier dogs more than others. One thing i would do is go to the local areas and talk to dog walkers and see what they think. Good luck. People also want the service to continue thoughout the winter also not only summer. (dogs need walking in all weathers)
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veg.gal October 1, 2008 at 9:42 am

Put an add in the local paper as well as local pet shops, corner shops, grooming businesses, vets, or anywhere else doggy people may see them. Keep the advert professional and neat including your name, number and fee. An additional service you could offer is pet minding.
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clara October 1, 2008 at 10:02 am

Advertise in local shops, newsagents, vets, dog grooming salons, pet shops and any local free newspapers. As well as walking you could do dog sitting, maybe if they're working and your at home you could pop in to let them out for a while and to make sure they're OK. You could do a holiday sitting service if you had enough time. You could also offer a service which would be particularly helpful for elderly dog owners, where you could pop in and help bathe the dog if needed and take it for a vets appointment if they found it difficult to manage and maybe were quite housebound. Once you start your dog walking you could ask your customers for some ideas and feedback about what help they think dog owners might need. All the best with your venture, good luck!
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laplandfan October 1, 2008 at 10:28 am

make little cards or postcard soze leaflets to put through peoples doors. My Dad does this and is earning around 10 pounds an hour! You could aslo advertise on line and create your won web page etc. Good luck and also advertise in your local vets and pet shops.
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huni October 1, 2008 at 10:51 am

the best way to advertise this type of business would be to do one/or the following; -put a small advert in your local newspaper in the 'livestock' section (if there is one), with a number to get in touch with you -make posters (informative, bright) and put them in your local pet shops, supermarkets, town centres etc with an email address and/or number -make flyers (like small posters advertising your business) with an email address and/or number, and post them around your local area's houses people expect dog walkers to have experience with dogs, know how to handle them well etc and the owners want to know that their dog will be treated gently, and will not come to any harm under your care. good luck!
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Jessica C October 1, 2008 at 11:33 am

Make those paper flyer's with the bottom fringed with your home phone or cell phone number on them so they can rip it off and call you. I would say a dog walker is suppose to walk the dog perhaps play with them as well. Get a system, as the owner what they want done.[ex. walk,groom,play,and feed]
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trice0905 October 1, 2008 at 11:59 am

put posters in your local park,shops, vets, library,community centres maybe local paper! maybe you could offer something extra like brushing the dogs or checking for fleas or cutting Der nails! i hope it works out 4 u!
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MT K October 1, 2008 at 12:24 pm

Advertise like this------Experienced girl offers her services.Do you want your hound exercised,no dog refused ,also bitches welcome.No need to worry as you will be in good hands .Also french lessons---signed bluefrenchie. I think that just about covers everything Advertise in telephone boxes---leave your card
References :
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Here are some tips to keep your dog well behaved: 1.You've to start training your dog as early as possible 2,Be firm but gentle when you train your dog 3,By observing the behavior of your dog inside the house you'll realize how it will respond outside 4.You should not lose your temper 5.Timing is always important especially when you're correcting your dog
Denverdaawg July 28, 2009 at 4:24 am

Great Tips and we use similar tips to find Pet Clients for Dog walking in the Metro Denver area.
hilarious dog toys August 15, 2010 at 4:51 am

You must see these dogs! They're humorous! Go here: Hilarious Dogs
Orlando April 18, 2011 at 4:39 am

You daughter was definitely motivated in pursuit of getting the word out about her business venture. I believe she also could have benefited by informing people in the local neighborhood as they may appreciate her walking the dog for them.

How would i advertise my dog walking business?

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