Professional Dog Walkers
Professional dog walkers are a type of pet sitter, since they take care of dogs while owners are away. They go to clients' houses, pick up dogs, take them on designated walking routes, and make sure the animals have food and water.
Animal care and service workers, including professional dog walkers, have few training and educational requirements. Becoming a professional dog walker might mean starting a dog walking business or working for an established dog walking company.
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Career Information for Dog Walkers
A high school diploma or GED may be required to work as a professional dog walker. Those who transport dogs by car will need a state driver's license. Other types of licenses may also apply. Although the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not provide information specific to dog walkers, it does project an 33%, or much-faster-than-average, increase in employment for animal care and service workers, including pet sitters, from 2020-2030. According to PayScale.com, in 2022 dog walkers earned a median wage of $15.06 an hour.
| Degree Level | None; high school diploma or equivalent may be preferred |
| Licensure | State driver's license (for transporting dogs by car); regional licenses or permits (for use of municipal parks or other properties, if required); business licenses (for business owners) |
| Key Skills | Sympathetic to animals; attention to detail; people, problem-solving, scheduling, and communication skills; self-motivated; familiar with animal restraints and transportation cages; knowledge of animal control, nutrition, and first aid treatments; comfortable working in all weather conditions, walking for extended periods, and willing to dispose of animal droppings |
| Salary | $15.06 an hour (2022 median) |
| Job Outlook (2020-2030) | 33% growth (for all animal care and service workers) |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Outlook Quarterly, and government websites, PayScale.com
How to Become a Dog Walker: Steps
- Earn your high school diploma
- Take dog walking courses
- Start training as a dog walker
- Take business courses
- Obtain a dog walking license
Step 1: Earn Your High School Diploma
Although there are no formal education requirements for becoming a professional dog walker, according to the BLS many animal care organizations prefer applicants with a minimum of a high school diploma or GED. High school courses in animal science and business prepare students for this career field. Extracurricular activities that involve taking care of animals also help in developing a love for animals, an essential trait for animal care providers.
Step 2: Take Dog Walking Courses
There are several organizations that provide you with training to become a dog walker. These programs are for pet owners and aspiring animal caretakers alike. Some colleges offer certificate programs or coursework related to dog walking or animal care. Coursework may cover topics in animal behavior and nutrition, dog obedience, disease prevention, and pet grooming.
Earn Your Dog Walking Certification
Some organizations offer certification programs for pet sitters and dog walkers that include coursework or on-site training in animal body language, first aid and welfare, dog behavior, and leash training. Certification requirements may also include a passing score on an exam. If you want to know how to be a certified dog walker, it is essential that you understand the importance of certification itself.
Step 3: Start Training as a Dog Walker
Aspiring professional dog walkers can also receive on-the-job training through entry-level positions at established dog walking businesses or volunteer positions at animal welfare organizations. Under close supervision, they may learn how to feed animals and transport them safely, control leashed animals, and properly dispose of animal waste.
Pay Attention to Administrative Practices
People who want to start their own dog walking businesses can gain experience by working with established professionals. As a staff member, they can observe how managers schedule dog walker shifts, talk with clientele, run promotional campaigns, and control finances.
Step 4: Take Business Courses
Some professional dog walkers may want to go into business for themselves. Before starting out, they may want to explore business practices related to this field. Some universities and organizations offer business courses and certificate programs that teach skills specific to the animal care industry. Topics include creating a business plan, obtaining insurance, operating and promoting an animal care business and setting fees.
Step 5: Obtain a Dog Walking License
Professional dog walkers employed by a business need to be aware of laws and licensing requirements related to dogs and animal care. For example, some cities have limits on how many dogs a person can walk at one time. There are also policies regarding animal leash laws and animal transportation safety, dog waste disposal, and lost animal reporting procedures.
Self-employed professional dog walkers usually have to file for business licenses with local government agencies or obtain permits for walking animals within city parks. They may also need liability insurance in case something happens to the dog walker, dog, or owner. Self-employed professional dog walkers may need to record dog license numbers and vaccination history.
Professional dog walkers, such as those who transport animals and business owners, must maintain their drivers' and business licenses in accordance with local laws. Certified pet sitters or dog walkers may also have to renew their certifications, which may include paying fees, retaking exams, or completing continuing education courses related to animal care.
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FAQ
What Are the Responsibilities of a Dog Walker?
Professional dog walkers should be comfortable working with and sympathetic to dogs, as well as their owners. They should be able to control animals of varying size and strength, capable of walking for extended periods, comfortable working in all weather conditions, and willing to dispose of animal droppings. Professional dog walkers should also be familiar with the use of animal transportation cages, knowledgeable about animal nutrition, skilled in animal first aid treatments, and understand how to use animal leashes and other restraints. Self-motivation is key to working as a self-employed dog walker. Those employed by a company need to communicate clearly with fellow workers and stay on a schedule.
Where Do Dog Walkers Work?
Dog walkers typically work in cities where population density and a lack of public space can make it challenging for some people to walk their dogs, especially if everyone in the household is at work or school during the day. While many dog walkers are self-employed, some also work for dog walking agencies that can provide them with a more steady source of income.
What Traits Should Dog Walkers Have?
In order to become a professional dog walker, you will need to be very good with animals. You will also need to be physically fit, as you will be walking for long distances while you work. You will need a working knowledge of animal first aid as well as an excellent understanding of the courtesies and rules involved in walking dogs. You will need good communication skills, attention to detail, and organizational skills in order to ensure that the dogs you walk, as well as their owners, have a good time.
Let's review: you'll need at least a high school diploma or GED and most likely some courses or training in animal care to become a professional dog walker and earn a median wage of $15.06 an hour. Dog walkers who transport animals by car and those who are self-employed will also need drivers' licenses and business licenses respectively.
