dog walking

[annie_so_pink]

Ok, so I have a question...Can anyone be a "dog walker" in their neighborhood? Cause I want to raise some money to make Wesley more agility equipment and dog walking sounds really fun. I am sure that there are some elderly people in my neighborhood that would like their dog(s) to be walked but can not go out in the cold or can't walk their dog(s) anymore, or people who want their dog(s) to be walked during the day but have to be a work...Could I do that? I would really love to and would not want to charge them a lot of money..maybe only a few dollars or maybe do it just for expierence of handaling other dogs for no charge since I want to be a dog trainer when I grow up and none of the shelters will let you volunteer til you are at least 16 and I know that I need more handling skills so is this something that I could do? Thanks!

[calgal]

My sons ex-girlfriend makes over $90.000. a year walking dogs, so don't look at it as just a few bucks if you want to make some serious money.

[buddys my pup]

i've done that before, its fun until it gets cold.

[gaddylovesdogs]

Yep, you can be basically any age. You're thirteen right? People will probably feel comfortable since you're older and have dogs of your own. I walk a small dog once a week for five dollars. I usually walk her for about half an hour. I also train her. It's fun, but not always. She can be stubborn and in really cold or really hot weather, it's just not fun at all! LOL

[mrsgrubby]

I would think that you should be able to do it, just make sure you can handle the dog before you agree to do it. I know that a 13 year old could not walk my 90 pound Jasmine if a squirrel ran by, but otherwise she would be great if there were no squirrels.
However, most dogs in my neighborhood would love to be walked more often if someone was willing to do it.
I would make up a little flyer and hand it out, it should have your name, phone number, address, price per walk, how long the walk will be for that price, and some info about you.
Hand it out, post it up, ect.

[Jamila]

I use to do that when I was a kid. My neighbors loved me for it. I say go for it.

[annie_so_pink]

Thanks Everybody! Yeah, I think I will try to do it...I think it'll be fun(for the most part at least)

Originally Posted by gaddylovesdogs

Yep, you can be basically any age. You're thirteen right? People will probably feel comfortable since you're older and have dogs of your own.

Yep, I'm 13 and yeah, I have Wesley and have trained him so maybe I could even teach someone's dog some obedience too...I don't know...But Thanks!

[Carrie]

I think that's a great idea and you definitely shouldn't do it for free. LOL. Charge a small fee so you can earn money for your agility equipment, plus you're worth it! But, as MrsGrubby said, be sure it's a dog you can handle. You should know the dogs pretty well and they should get to know you, not that you have any problems such as pulling you off your feet, getting away from you, getting run over or in a dog fight, snapping at you etc. Make sure you know the dogs. What do your folks think? If all checks out, and you know the neighbors you're doing this for, I would think it's a fine idea.

[annie_so_pink]

Thanks! How much would I ask for a like one walk a day? My mom thinks it would be fine, but I haven't asked my dad yet...so I'll have to see how that goes Hopefully He'll like the idea and let me do it (he probably will just so I will stop begging for the equipment. LOL) But Anyways, Thanks!

[StephanieandTeddy]

Originally Posted by annie_so_pink

Thanks! How much would I ask for a like one walk a day? My mom thinks it would be fine, but I haven't asked my dad yet...so I'll have to see how that goes Hopefully He'll like the idea and let me do it (he probably will just so I will stop begging for the equipment. LOL) But Anyways, Thanks!

I've been a professional dog-walker and had my own company for many years now. (I WISH I made $90,000.00!!!.Far too lazy, I guess...)
I started out by putting up flyers and letting my Vet and the man the ran the pet shop know that i was available...after that it was word of mouth and it snowballed.
Make sure you keep all dogs on a leash or there could be liability issues.Also, if you are only 13...best not to go around and meet other dogs you don't know...
Charge what you are worth...$5.00/walk is not enough. In my area the professional dog-walkers charge between $10.00-$15.00 per walk per dog...for about 45 mins. to one hour. (group walk) Dogs that need to be walked seperately get charged about $17.00 for a half hour walk. (Canadian funds, of course)
You can adjust that depending on what you think people in YOUR area are willing to pay.
Good luck! you will have tons of fun...it is a very rewarding job!!

[tessa_s212]

Over the summer(the only time that I have time to do so) I walk dogs. I also groom dogs(nails, baths, shave/trimming) for people. I don't make much money walking dogs. My main customer is an elderly man with a very fat Brittany. His wife is in and out of the hospital, and when I can I purposely "forget" to tell him he owes me money. My average rate is $5 a week or $5 every two weeks.
I make much more money grooming. I have a few people that regularly come to me to shave their dogs completely down. Depending on if the dog is matted or not, I charge anywhere from $15-$25. If I shave, bathe, *and* trim nails I usually go ahead and just charge the full $25.

[annie_so_pink]

Thanks everyone! I sure have a lot more to think about know....Thanks!