How to Start a Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Business

How to Start a Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Business - COMPLETE GUIDE

Рет қаралды 20,415

3 жыл бұрын

The absolute complete guide to starting your very own pet sitting and dog walking business! Learn from the founder of an award-winning pet care business! There is a ton of information in this video so take a look at the time codes below to look back at specific topics. Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more content like this!
Contents:
1:09 - Finding your "why"
2:15 - What kind of pet sitter do you want to be?
3:56 - Things to think about before starting
5:38 - Learning from your peers via social media
6:06 - Does your community need another pet sitter?
8:16 - Try pet sitting first
10:47 - Services
12:34 - Service area
14:10 - Pricing
15:09 - Who do you want to service?
16:10 - How will clients contact you?
16:44 - Gathering client information
17:44 - Scheduling
18:36 - Policies
21:24 - Collecting payments
22:32 - Register for a business license
24:56 - Insurance and bonding
26:20 - Network and create referral agreements
27:01 - Marketing
31:25 - Supplies
32:54 - Professional Organizations
Download my FREE Top 10 Tips for Pet Sitters and Walkers or Schedule a Strategy Session: dougthedogguy.co/
Check out my pet sitting and dog walking business: badtothebonepetcare.com/
Get 50% OFF your first FOUR months of Time to pet using my referral link! www.timetopet.com/doug
My favorite leash: amzn.to/3Kswsac
My favorite harness: amzn.to/3RmDUpF
My favorite healthy dog treat: amzn.to/3AyPYgH
Gentle leader: amzn.to/3QYfFyj
Eco-friendly poo bags: amzn.to/3e69Ujs
For dogs that are chewers: amzn.to/3wBIWGU
Microphone I use in videos: amzn.to/3RajYWS
Tripod I use for filming with my iPhone: amzn.to/3e3kvvp
Disclaimer: Some of the above links are affiliate links in an effort to support the channel.

Пікірлер: 86

@DougtheDogGuy 10 ай бұрын

Watch this next: HOW TO BUILD YOUR DREAM PET BUSINESS! | Business Plan for Dog Walkers and Pet Sitters kzfaq.info/get/bejne/aZead5Re2Kfdkqc.html

@liveyouryoga Жыл бұрын

I have done occasional pet sitting since 2016. Time to grow it. One thing you can consider is growth in terms of new developments in your area. Population density means higher possibility of dog walking and cat sitting in my area. People are not having children. They have pets. With all of these new condos going up there can even be a pet explosion!

@ladylavender7411 2 жыл бұрын

This was super helpful. I have had my petsitting business for 5.5 years and it’s been steady, but I have learned from you so many tips and things to implement into my biz to make it better!

@DougtheDogGuy 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!

@prestigini3150 11 ай бұрын

How is your business?

@user-kl4hu3dt8j 11 ай бұрын

@@prestigini3150 Going very well! I'm 8 years in and busy as ever.

@user-kl4hu3dt8j 10 ай бұрын

@@Beeppoop I actually don't board, I stay overnight in the pet's home. So they have all my time and attention and no other dogs. Sometimes I may have another client hire me on those same dates to do a check-in visit to their dogs, but those usually don't take more than 30 minutes to and hour so I'm still able to give the dog(s) I'm staying with plenty of attention. I usually tell the owners that I may have other pets to visit in the evening or morning and they are almost always understanding of that.

@notsosilentknight 3 жыл бұрын

This is such a thorough video and I so so appreciate you making it. I'm autistic and I want to start my own pet care business. You've laid everything out in simple, plain language that's easy for me to understand and answered most of my questions regarding in what order some of these tasks ought to be completed. Thank you very much!

@DougtheDogGuy 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching and good luck on your business!! 🤩

@haubrichband 3 жыл бұрын

Great info, Doug! This is some of the info I wish I knew when I started a pet sitting and dog walking company.

@Fajitarita 6 ай бұрын

Thanks homie this is so good. I’m no longer confused af. I got my notepad and took notes. Good info love it. Blessings ❤

@jackieminucci475 Жыл бұрын

Great great information. Thanks a bunch, appreciate it!!

@consejosdemama6084 3 ай бұрын

Amazing! You have given such great information 👍

@CoveredinPetHair 3 жыл бұрын

Always great to learn from a pro! Great job, Doug!

@DougtheDogGuy 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!!

@ocuponescupones8798 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for sharing so much! I've enjoyed several of your videos and I find them VERY helpful. THANK YOU! 🐶💙

@DougtheDogGuy Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!!

@kozlinda Жыл бұрын

really comprehensive and well presented. you covered all the bases! thank for taking the time to do this.

@DougtheDogGuy Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!

@beatricefrask5230 28 күн бұрын

Sound advice! Thanks.

@seanathon44 2 жыл бұрын

Doug!! Thank you so much for this thorough video. It helped me so much as I start my business plan for my dog walking/pet sitting business here in BC Canada. I have been a pet sitter on Rover for almost a year now and realized there is a huge demand in my area for this business so I decided I am going to start my own. Excited to get rolling with this and I appreciate your help. I also checked out your website for reference.

@DougtheDogGuy 2 жыл бұрын

Congrats on your new business! That is so awesome!! You are going to rock it. Let me know if you need any help along the way! And thanks so much for watching and commenting

@user-kq9vn3wv3j Жыл бұрын

So, so helpful. Thank you. The one thing that I did that hasn't gone well is reaching out to others in my profession. Not one responded back. 😔

@JettTheVizsla 3 жыл бұрын

Gday Doug Loving the videos really helpful wondering what your vehicle is like to transport dogs? I'm setting my dog walking in new zealand and wondering what I should do with my Van.

@nichellejones2571 Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I truly appreciate it.

@DougtheDogGuy Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching and commenting!!

@aggielandpetsitting5132 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this super informative video! Could you possibly do one on how to choose a business structure (sole-proprietor, DBA, LLC etc) and which one you ended up doing and how? Thanks a lot!

@DougtheDogGuy 3 жыл бұрын

I will make a video on that! Thanks for watching!

@andreaozay1671 Жыл бұрын

This video is great....very informative, i am just starting out with my business, just a matter of getting my cards & flyers out 😊 thankyou 🐾

@DougtheDogGuy Жыл бұрын

Thank you! You got this!!

@luzadriananarvaez6518 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent info!

@DougtheDogGuy 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@TravelwithSarahB 4 ай бұрын

You are awesome!!

@johnlombardo7816 2 жыл бұрын

You're a rockstar bro. Great work!

@DougtheDogGuy 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you thank you!

@Dogger1230 Жыл бұрын

Awesome video!!!!

@DougtheDogGuy Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@camillagonzales 5 ай бұрын

❤ I love all the infos

@DougtheDogGuy 5 ай бұрын

Thank you!!

@lorraine5558 Жыл бұрын

Great Advice TY

@DougtheDogGuy Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@MT-yr7pt 2 жыл бұрын

Hey Doug! Where is the most reliable place/site to choose the best, thorough contract, vet release, policies etc. Forms? Thank you in advance!

@Lucky1111Ducky 5 ай бұрын

great vid thanks

@DougtheDogGuy 4 ай бұрын

Glad you liked it! :)

@user-gk2zt4ed8u 3 ай бұрын

I was going to use the same name for my business!

@Gypsymommarose347 2 жыл бұрын

I was going to use the same name for my business! 😆

@Wannakatana2112 20 күн бұрын

Get with other sitters/businesses to buy supplies in bulk for a discount

@sydney-rw3df 2 жыл бұрын

Hi! I have one question.. about rover. If you don't mind answering! So, all was going well in this tutorial until the dog walking apps part. Unfortunately, I am under 18. I thought those apps would allow teenagers to apply, but I am 16. What else would you suggest? I am thinking about advertising around my neighborhood through facebook/groups, but Im also not sure if minors would be aloud to stay over night. This was a very informative video! Thanks for sharing your knowledge and resources with us :) Thank you for your time !

@Wannakatana2112 20 күн бұрын

How do you pay someone to actually do the work yet still make a profit? What are your rates? How do you compete against Rover which possibly offers lower rates and a sense of security of a large corporation?

@Kilo-Clutch 9 ай бұрын

If you are going to make a website should you do that and have it running before registering to be a business? Or should those both be done around the same time?

@chriserskineartist 2 жыл бұрын

Great video. A very systematic review. At the moment, I am stuck on the insurance and bonding issues. What's the difference? Why do you need bonding if you have general liability insurance? How much coverage should you get? How do you determine the coverage sum in reasonable manner? Also, any pro and cons about the way you set up your payment system? Any feedback on how to balance regular/daily customers with more periodic customers?

@DougtheDogGuy 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Insurance and bonding are not the same thing. Insurance would cover things like medical bills should a dog you're walking bite someone on the sidewalk (for example), while bonding would protect you if a sitter on your team decided to steal something from a client. I always recommend getting both insurance and bonding, and getting the highest coverage you can afford. Insurance and bonding are both fairly cheap for our industry, and accidents can happen at any time and be very costly, so you'd rather be over protected than under protected. You can also use this extra insurance as a marketing tool to attract better higher paying clients. I'd suggest checking out Pet Sitters Associates. And there are pros and cons to every payment system, but the more automatic you can make it the better it will be for you and your clients. And definitely always get payment upfront. And I will make a video on balancing regular and periodic clients. Thanks for the great questions!!

@NickofTimeDogWalks 7 ай бұрын

If I get a pet sitting software to book appointments and to keep track of everything, does that mean I have to have my clients also download the software? Thank you

@visitalabamabynook2154 8 ай бұрын

Interesting I love to open the business

@Longformula 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this :)

@DougtheDogGuy 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@SunnivavinnuS Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much, awesome video🙏🙏🙏 I wonder, what do you do if you get sick? That's my biggest fear.. Do you just cancel or do you call a walker from rover to step in?

@pjtloh Жыл бұрын

I'm wondering the same thing.

@DougtheDogGuy Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I would recommend writing out emergency plans for any potential scenarios (severe weather, you are sick or injured, car accident, etc). Thinking through these scenarios now and writing out your plan ahead of time will make dealing with those situations much easier in the moment. I have a team, so we designate a primary team member and a back-up team member for every visit on our schedule. If you are solo and don't have a team, you could work with other local sitters to be each others emergency back-ups. My team acts as the emergency back-up for several solo pet sitters in our area, and I know a lot of solo sitters that work together to ensure coverage. Local networking groups are great for this!

@krk84 2 жыл бұрын

Would you mind expanding upon the part about Rover? Specifically why you don’t think it’s a good way to get things going if you already know you want to open a pet sitting business? I was thinking of starting the business + Rover simultaneously to help build up a clientele, etc?

@DougtheDogGuy 2 жыл бұрын

There are many reasons for this. As a professional pet sitter you do not want the kind of clients that would use a platform like Rover. And if Rover finds out you are using them to get clients for your own business they will ban you. Plus they take a percentage of each gig you do, you'd be better off doing your own marketing and keeping all the $$ instead of having to split it. This is just to list a few reasons...I could make an entire video about this.

@sparkely1122 Жыл бұрын

Also... Rover is so shifty. They don't offer evenings at all. So you have to update your calender and if you pick Monday through Wednesday for instance, you must be available ALL DAY on those days. You have no option to pick and choose the hours that work with your life .... It's ridiculous.

@mariecook622 7 ай бұрын

❤

@NickofTimeDogWalks 7 ай бұрын

How do you hire people? No client wants someone random taking care of their pet. I don’t understand how the process works? Thank you

@megang8 2 жыл бұрын

Hi there! Where do you get your poo bags from? Thanks!! Great information here!!

@DougtheDogGuy 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!! I get our branded poo bags that we donate to local parks from dogwastedepot.com, and I get the normal bags we use daily on dog walks from Amazon

@FOBioFatal 2 жыл бұрын

How did you juggle working your regular job and pet sitting/walking? I'm finding that to be a tad hard considering I work 12 hour shifts, however it's only 3 days a week..

@DougtheDogGuy 2 жыл бұрын

For at least two years all I did was work. I was lucky if I got five hours of sleep and I lived on coffee and granola bars. It was grueling, I had days where I almost quit, but I would not be where I am today if I hadn't stuck it out. Stay strong! You got this!

@stokes111111 Жыл бұрын

thank you so much for this info. Is 'bad to the bone pet care' the name you registered? Or did you register your business name as 'bad to the bone' and then just add 'pet care' to your domain name, website, business cards etc... thanks!

@DougtheDogGuy Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! There are many different ways of going about this. I chose to register the business as Bad to the Bone Pet Care with the state of Florida and I also "do business as" Doug the Dog Guy, and The Wandering Pet Sitter under the Bad to the Bone Pet Care corporation.

@stokes111111 Жыл бұрын

@@DougtheDogGuy I got you, I just took a look at your website and it's interesting how you've laid everything out and how you chose to go about servicing. It's a good reference for me so I appreciate it. Did you register your business with your state because you're an LLC? I'm a sole proprietor in California I haven't seen anything about me having to register my business unless I'm one of the other entities. Will register a fictitious business name though.

@geldinadejesus9823 Жыл бұрын

Can I know how much do I need to price for dog sitting a day. I work for dog sitting for 6 yrs. Live in but my boss pay me 150 a day for 6 yrs. I want to work as a private dog sitter in my home. Already retired

@sparkely1122 Жыл бұрын

Do you think it's possible to do this evening's and weekends only? It's one thing I can't figure out... I can't just leave my full time job 😭 but want to if the business was successful. So I'm limited to what I can offer... Am I setting myself up for failure?

@DougtheDogGuy Жыл бұрын

Anything is possible! I worked another full time job when I was starting my business and told my clients when I was available. Over time I started cutting my hours back at that job so I would have more availability for pet sitting until I was finally able to quit that job and do this full time. I know a lot of pet sitters that enjoy working another job and choose to only do this in the evenings and weekends. You can make it work however you want!

@bridgetmercado5903 Жыл бұрын

Any pet sitting software you recommend?

@DougtheDogGuy Жыл бұрын

Hi Bridget! I talk about software in this video: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ob2Ch8helaeWg4E.html

@Wannakatana2112 20 күн бұрын

How do you handle being monitored via webcam? Me, I don't care, I don't do anything I wouldn't do in front of the pet owner. Do you allow it? Do you care? Is there a limit to what they can do with the footage?

@andreadarrar5540 2 жыл бұрын

Ok so I want to start walking dogs. I live in the woods and haven't walked dogs in a neighborhood or development in a long time. If I walk dogs in developments won't they have to pee on other people's property? I know I can pick up the poop but do people complain? I believe I'll probably be in adult communities. That's what seems to be reaching out right now.

@DougtheDogGuy 2 жыл бұрын

You definitely have to pick up the poo, but it's very rare that anyone complains about dogs peeing. Just be respectable, meaning don't let the dogs pee on a car or a freshly planted flower bed, for example. Good luck on your new business!

@andreadarrar5540 2 жыл бұрын

@@DougtheDogGuy Thank you very much!

@dontworryillwait3689 Жыл бұрын

Seems like the smartest thing to do would be to seek employment at a dog walking/sitting establishment before you start your business for it 🤔 you have your source of income and gain needed experience.

@DougtheDogGuy Жыл бұрын

That can definitely be a good option for some people!