Has anyone ever considered giving up the rat race and walking dogs for a living?  Or has anyone actually done it and made a success of it? 

I often lay awake at night trying to add up the start-up costs, and work out what profit I could make on average........

Any thoughts or experiences?

Suze

A friend does it, she charges £8 per half hour for a local walk, if they want a walk in area where the dog can safely be let of a lead, she charges £20 an hour plus diesel costs. She also does a vet ambulance type of thing also, takes dogs to vets, grooming palour, kennels etc that is £25 initial plus an hourly charge.
She has insurance, CRB check etc. I don't think she makes a great deal after all costs are taken out but she enjoys it.
I walk a friends dog 4 mornings per week and I get £30, she comes out with my dogs and it is always more than an hour but it is done as a favour rather than a business

My dog walker charges £6 per walk and the dogs are in the park for 1 hour.  She takes 4 dogs at a time and is great.  I wouldn't swap her for the world.  :)

I suppose it really depends which part of the country you are in, no doubt in London it is astronomical.

I would love a dog walker.

But what if the customer's dog was mine.  He hates dogs.  He barks.  He lunges.  He bites.  He goes ballistic at any dog.  Or cat.  So what do you do?  What are your terms?  How much does it cost?  Insurance?  Could you cope?  Could you deal with him.  Could I trust you with him not to cause a nightmare on a walk?  Yes?  If you could deal with a dog like mine I would love to hear from you!  This is not a challenge but just a question :)  I often need someone but there is no one there.

CG

Ali,

Who do you use?    I know of a lot of Dundee based dog walkers..............

Hi Christine, i've pm'd you rather than say on a public forum as she wouldn't want me to advertise her service as she is at capacity.

We take our dogs to a dog lady that has two kids, two dogs of here own and runs a bording/walking/vet ambulance service. Dropped our two with crates, leads, dinner & pooh bags Saturday am. They went for a long walk Saturday. Yesterday at the beach at Bournemouth, them not us!! collected them pm Sunday after two days watching rugby at Twickenham £35.
She always has a full diary and only takes 4 max at one time, the boys have their own crates and have been visiting since about 5/6 months. It covers our holiday time and opdd days when i do not want to leave them shut in. If we have a day at rugby I drop off am and pick up pm, the dogs rush in and seem so happy.
I think its a great idea but suspect that you will not make a fortune.
OH AND GREAT IDEA HER BACK GARDEN IS ASTOTURF, so a hose and its all clean again.

OMG i have been thinking the same thing today. Im fed up of my part-time job and want something that i am actually interested in, and may count as experience to my chosen career etc. I could advertise in my local area only walking distance as i dont drive. How much would i charge for half/hour etc. Plus my major concern would be insurance, if there was an accident, dog attacks my clients dog or it comes off lead and gets into the road, who would be responsible. I have my own two big dogs the boy being strong on the lead so i am used to that. I wouldnt allow them  off lead, because god knows what there recall is like. I have also been looking at doing a puppy socialisation class/ basic obedience. But had no luck in finding a hall to rent for the evenings, they have childrens playgroups and just wont allow dogs. Ill try again at a few other halls later on this year as its something i really want to do.

Louise

Don't forget to declare yourself 'self-employed' before you start or the tax man will seek you out!  I was a self-employed registered childminder for five years and to be honest I didn't earn that much.  It was convenient while my own children were small though.  It involves a lot of paperwork, self-assessment tax forms, national insurance forms and also you need to keep receipts on everything you earn, or else you may be liable.  But the dog walking side sounds fun!