Anyone do this?  I'm looking for a bit of start-up advice as I've decided to try and make this a business.  I'm looking for someone who allready does or did this for a bit of practical help.
Feel free to PM me if you want.
Thanks in advance.
Oh, and others (maybe grooming) who have started their own business.  Any advice, pros and cons, much appreciated!!

I've dug a little on-line but can't make head nor tails about it.  Most of the advice is for building businesses not my one-man show! Their are a couple of people allready doing it in the area but they aren't 'doggy' and just let the dogs out of the van to run together in a not very safe area.  Mine would be more selective and controled with obedience thrown in.  Think their might just be a gap in the market big enough for me!

The only person I know if is one of the trainers at my local dog club - she charges £10 for an hour and like you does training etc too.  I know she just does it really as a side line as well as the training though. 

My dog walker charges 13 pounds per walk. She has rented her own fields , woods water on site all enclosed . She picks up the dogs and they run together with the others and 3 adults (humans) for about 3hours. They play with the dogs do a bit of training some agility using your commands if you see what I mean. I have been using them for about 4 years now definintly dog people ( have 3 of their own) oh yes and the dogs get a good brushing as required not proper grooming but a tidy up here and there and come home happy and tired and usually clean.:) they also check that the dogs have clean water when they get ome and are safely as you like them to bein your house
They are looking to expand to another area as the business is doing very well. It is quite a popular job around me but as far as I know they are the best, I love the fact that the dogs are in safe private enclosed land with people that care for them. 
Have been told there are changes in the law to restric peole walking more than 2 dogs for payment unless on private land which makes their way of doing it the way forward. I dont know if that is local or national

I'd do a list.

What skills can you offer- (any doggie qualifications, experience to date-hands on etc..; any doggie organisations you are a member of, why do you want to do this? Why would people want to trust you with their dog?)

What services can you offer- places to exercise dogs, amount of one on one each dog will have, if any. Maximum dogs at any one time. What transport do you have, how many dogs at a time?

Who is your vet- in case of accidents what would you do.

Dog Law- are you completely au fait with recent law and areas that would affect your work with dogs?

Insurance- you'd need a dedicated package. The KC do a package for trainers, clubs and behaviourists- it would have the right ingredients for you too, I think. Obviously Public Liability is really important for you.

Marketing- Do you have a unique name for your service? You'd need business cards, A4/5 flyers and possibly a website. You'd probably need to introduce yourself to local vets, pet shops etc. and persuade them to carry your ads. get to know who the local competition is and what they charge- don't charge more without very good reason.

These are my thoughts- hope it helps- you've probably gone through all this already, but just in case.

Ah, see this is the type of thing I was thinking about.  Proper time spent with your dogs, not just let off to run mad with a load of other dogs.  The dog walkers local to me are not dog people.  They are people who own dogs and see it as a business.  I actually enjoy the company of muttleys and love walking in all weathers.  I have no probs about private land either as I am friendly with a local farmer so I would just enquire about loaning his fields.

Freelancerukuk, we posted at the same time but that was great!! Thanks a lot for that.  I have allready thought of some of your list(I'll need to start getting references from dog clubs!!) but the KC insurance was a great idea.  Will look into that!
Can't think of a decent name either! Anything I come up with is rubbish and anything too 'clever' I worry people might forget.
Think - Walks for dogs and other pet needs?!lol.  I'm rubbish!!

Hi,

I've started my own doggy business sideline and I have found Facebook to be the best way to advertise so far as it's free.

I also use a dog walker and the reason I chose them was through word-of-mouth recommendation and also the fact I'd met them out in the park when they were on a training/walking session.

One of the walkers is into personal fitness and is dying for Nando to be of running age so he can go with her on runs. They're very accomodating and bend over backwards to help. They even give Nando a frozen kong when he gets home :))

That sounds more like doggie daycare a very useful and popular service in USA.

For names there are loads of catchy phrases and play-on-words you could use :)

'Paws for thought' 'Pooches made for walking' '

It is probably best to have a name for the business that does what it says on the tin. Your local area with dog walker/dog care attached is a start.

I think overly clever names can seem gimmicky and off-putting and even slightly naff, style over content if you will :) Look at the various TV series about dogs, they all have very straightforward titles so people skimming through information know instantly what that programme is about: It's me or the dog; Don't blame the dog; Dog borstal etc..

You'll find there are quite a few people doing this without any experience or insurance- which, in my view, is highly irresponsible. Good credentials and the backing of local vets etc.. will do wonders.

In my experience, it is impossible to find a walker/home boarder who agrees readily to keep your dogs on lead. It is driving me mad! I do not want a stranger letting my dogs off lead when I am not there. If you agreed to that, without being difficult about it, I'd want to hire you forever!! :)

> Can't think of a decent name either!

Walkies. ?

> In my experience, it is impossible to find a walker/home boarder who agrees readily to keep your dogs on lead.

I insist on dogs being on lead unless I have written permission to let them off (it's a term of my insurance). I also only walk dogs one at a time - I can't see how anyone can have complete control over half a dozen loose dogs at the same time.

Wish you were here in Ireland LOL

See, that's where I see an issue too.  There are walkers round here and they stop at some park/beach and open the back of the van and half a dozen random dogs jump out and rabble about.  They are all different sizes and some get chased/bullied(I watched for some time as I was horrified).  Once the group had made it to the beach area, they ran about in different directions, annoying all other owners who had their dogs on-lead.
Another time, I watched as another let a load of dogs out of the van in the same way, about 100yards from a main road.  I wouldn't even trust my own dogs in that field not to go towards the road never mind other peoples dogs!!

I wouldn't be happy with Nando off lead unless he knew the person very well. I'm willing to bet his recall is better with his walker more than it is with me, but she does as I do and leave him with a long-line trailing behind him when he goes to play with other dogs.