Important Notice: While some articles may discuss potential earnings, we do not guarantee or promise income, and we do not represent, endorse, or support exaggerated income claims
Important Notice: While some articles may discuss potential earnings, we do not guarantee or promise income, and we do not represent, endorse, or support exaggerated income claims
Table of Contents
DO YOU WANT TO BECOME A DOG WALKER?
IT CAN BE A GREAT AND FUN WAY TO EARN EXTRA MONEY.
Dog walking can be an excellent way for both you and the dog to get fresh air and exercise, another good thing it’s great to be doing something you enjoy.
Many dog owners do not have the time to take their dog for daily walks, and this where dog walkers come to the rescue.
Interested on how to become a dog walker in South Africa and get paid?
I hope you love animals; in this case, you must love dogs to become a dog walker anywhere in the world.
Many people are working longer hours and need someone to take their dog for a walk when they cannot do so.
Dog walking can be done full-time, part-time, or you can start your own dog walking business.
You can start a dog walking business or register your service on a dog walking website.
Each dog you walk will have a different personality and temperament.
WHAT IS A DOG WALKER?
A dog walker is a person who walks dogs for a living, either one or more dogs.
As a dog walker, you can work for yourself by managing your own dog walking business, or list your dog walking service online on one of the websites.
WHAT DOES A DOG WALKER DO?
As a dog walker, you will take dogs for their walks when their owners cannot do so.
Dog walkers usually pick the dog up at the owner’s home, and when the walk is over, the dog is returned home.
The dog’s owners will pay the dog walker for his or her services.
You can offer extra services along with being a dog walker.
Additional services to offer are dog sitting, pet taxi service, dog grooming, dog boarding, pet visits and giving the dog medication.
HOW TO BECOME A DOG WALKER WITH NO EXPERIENCE.
If you have no experience, start by offering to walk your family and friends dogs for them.
Be willing to walk dogs for free to gain experience, if your family and friends decide to pay you that is a bonus.
HOW TO BECOME A DOG WALKER?
This is more for people who already have some experience.
There are many websites you can join and list your services on.
If you decide to register your services on a website, you will have to pay a percentage of your earnings or a fee to register.
Always read the terms and conditions and make sure you understand.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO BECOME A DOG WALKER?
What you need to become a dog walker along with requirements you may need.
To start with, you must love dogs as well as interacting with dogs.
Be able to handle yourself in all situations that may arise when you are out walking the dogs.
Being fit; it will help you keep up with walking many dogs daily.
A vehicle for transporting the dogs.
Some dog walking websites may require you to have prior experience, references and qualifications like:
Animal first aid
Animal behaviour
Animal care.
WHAT ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS A DOG WALKER?
Listed are some of the duties/responsibilities a dog walker may have, your duties will vary according to the owner.
- Picking and dropping the dog at the clients home.
- Walking the dog.
- Make sure the dog is wearing collars and identification tags when out walking.
- Be sure to have enough food and water when walking the dogs.
- Have doggy treats on hand, bring the right size for the dog you are walking.
- Clean up dog poop and make sure to leave no dog poop behind.
- Follow instructions given by the client.
- Some dog owners may want you to send them updates and photos of how their dog’s walk is going so do send lots of great pictures of their dog out walking with you.
- You want the owner to know that their dog is in good hands and has fun with you.
- Keeping notes on each of the dogs, you walk it will help you keep track of each dog, and you can add what the dog likes and dislikes.
HOW TO ADVERTISE YOUR DOG WALKING BUSINESS?
Ask at various Vet offices if you can put your ad on their notice boards.
Notice boards at supermarkets, shopping malls and at your local church.
Always ask permission before putting your ads up.
There are online Animal directories where you can advertise your services, and a fee may be payable.
HOW MUCH CAN YOU EARN AS A DOG WALKER?
According to Salary Experts, the average is R63 529 or R31 an hour.
I researched online and found the following rates on registered websites and people working independently.
Note that rates vary from city and towns throughout the country.
Hourly rates start at R30 for 45 minutes to an hour for one dog, for each additional dog you will charge extra starting at R10 a dog.
Overnight boarding fees for dogs start at R100 per night, but some people do charge less.
The rate will depend on experience, qualifications and if your service is in demand.
To get an idea of rates being charged in your area, ask dog walkers what they are charging.
More ways to earn money, get paid to write lists you can earn up to $200 for writing one list.
Do you enjoy chatting away on your cellphone?
Get paid to text and chat online.
WHAT SHOULD YOU CARRY WITH YOU WHEN DOG WALKING?
- Carry your cellphone with emergency numbers listed on the phone.
- A spare leash/collar in case of breakage.
- Doggy treats must suit the dogs you are walking.
- Dog poop carrier bags.
- Wet wipes, tissue and hand sanitiser, can always be handy for sticky situations.
- Collapsible bowls for food and water for when the dog is thirsty or hungry.
- Pepper spray, better to have it with you.
- Emergency whistle.
- Torch.
- Water bottle for yourself.
Is there something you need when walking dogs that I have missed on the list please tell so I can add it on the list, thank you.
SAFETY TIPS.
Chose pet-friendly places.
Plan your route before you go out, so you always know where you are and don’t get lost.
Always keep your dog on their lead at all times.
If you are going to take dogs for their walks at night, wear a reflector jacket so that you will be visible to traffic.
The dog you are walking should take a reflective dog leash and collar/harness.
WEBSITES TO LIST ON.
1. YOURHOUND.
Services offered on YourHound include:
Pet sitting
Dog walking
Pet taxi
REQUIREMENTS.
A love for all animals.
You must have a drivers license and a vehicle.
Reliable and trustworthy
Having experience will count in your favour, but it is not essential.
If you want to join YourHound visit their website and click on the “Join our team link”.
2. PETBACKER.
PetBacker offers the following services:
Dog walking
Dog Boarding
Pet Sitting
Pet Grooming
Pet taxi
Pet Daycare
Pet Training.
If you are interested in listing on PetBacker, visit their website to find out more.
3. POOCHY COO.
Poochy Coo services Cape Town and the surrounding areas and offer the following services:
Dog Walking
Dog Feeding
Dog Sitting
Dog Boarding
To find out what the requirements are and how to join their team, visit the Poochy Coo website.
4. POWER PAWS.
Power Paws is looking for dog walkers in the following areas:
Edenvale
Bedfordview
Greenstone
Modderfontein
Kempton Park
Linksfield
Lyndhurst
Highlands North
Primrose.
Visit their website to find out how to join their team. Requirements and how much you will earn.
WEBSITES TO LIST YOUR DOG WALKING BUSINESS.
- Ananizi
- Gumtree
- Olx
- Petsitters Cape Town
- Pet Health Care
- Great Au Pair
- Pet Friendly
Pet Friendly is a South African Pet Directory where you can advertise your sevices.
There are many services offered on Pet Directory including:
Pet Sitters
Pet Groomers
Pet Boarding
Dog Walking
Doggy Daycare
And many more services.
If you want to advertise on Pet Friendly, a fee is apyable.
Visit the Pet-Friendly website to find out more.
Make sure of how much the website charges you to list your dog walking business on their website.
On most of the websites, you can advertise other pet services you offer along with dog walking.
CONCLUSION.
Dog walking may suit everyone, are you a dog walker?
What do you enjoy and what do you not like about being a dog walker?
Please do your research by finding out as much as possible and asking people who have established themselves as a dog walker for tips and advice.
Do you have any tips or advice?
I hope you have found this post useful if you enjoyed reading this post, please share it with your friends and family.
Thank you.
