So you’ve decided to become a pet sitter — congratulations! The National Association for Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers NarpsUK is the largest and most respected brand of its kind in the UK, assisting pet businesses, pet owners, government departments, researchers and others to access information about the UK pet industry business sector. Many of us would like to spend more time with a canine companion but can’t necessarily have one of your own. By 9.30am we're at the park for an hour's walk. Find out how much education you'll need, where you can train and what licenses you'll need to … By becoming your own boss you become responsible for things such as tax and National Insurance. From recognising the body language which suggests a bite or confrontation is imminent, through to safe walking and lead training, the importance of your leadership role, dealing with aggression, fears and phobias and how to safely meet a dog. New research commissioned by Rover has revealed that becoming a dog walker alongside another job can earn you an additional £9,200 per year. There are a few different routes if you want a career as a dog walker. In the police and armed forces, you may have to move out of dog handling to get promoted to the higher ranks. Dog walkers offer their services, helping owners to exercise their pets. I’m a professional pet sitter and dog walker, which means I’m often caring for several pets within a 24-hour period. Become a puppy walker and join our team of amazing Guide Dog volunteers. Dogs are usually taken for walks during the day whilst their owners may be engaged with work commitments, or for short periods, when they are away. If you’re serious about being a professional dog walker, you’ll need to set yourself up to make a living at it. In security, you could go on to be head of canine services, where you direct teams of dog handlers. It should also cover the cost of caring for a dog that might become injured, lost or killed while under your care. Explore the steps involved in becoming a professional dog walker. Determine your expenses … Becoming a dog walker isn’t as hard as you think. Because dogs are very common household pets, your child may easily find families in need of a dog walker. When you become a pet sitter, you may be asked to do things beyond the common duties of your job, such as vacuuming and cooking. Next, consider getting certified in dog safety and training through programs like dogTEC’s Dog Walking Academy, which will be a big plus in the eyes of your future clients. Join our pack today and help spread the love. And we don’t blame you! All that is required of you is the love for animals, as well as the time to walk these animals. You can also offer to dog walk or pet sit for friends and neighbors as a way to build your experience and references. If the dog you are walking is injured in a car accident, it is up to the driver to stop and give their details to you. Optional: schedule an optional in-person Meet & Greet. Once you're live on the site, dog owners will start sending you dog walking requests—just like that! You might also become a trainer, working with organisations like search and rescue, to help train dogs and their handlers. Further services can also be offered to clients, including pet sitting in the owner’s home, pet boarding, puppy and pet visits, pet taxis, and even dog grooming. We'll manually review your dog walker profile within a few business days. To become a professional dog walker, use the app Wag to find dog walking jobs near you. Great advice and help James...I'm in transit at the moment, in starting up my own business...thanks for the link to the dog cages too :-) All the best! Well, perhaps not the sunshine bit, given that this is the UK we’re talking about! How To Become A Dog Walker. Here at Barking Mad, we have one big family of dog lovers just like you. If you’re passionate about pooches, you might be considering becoming a volunteer dog walker. Like any big life decision, choosing to start your own dog walking business requires preparation, so make sure you've done some background research. Tell us a bit about yourself. After registering as a self-employed dog walker you will be expected to complete a self assessment tax return each year. Well, this is especially true when learning how to become a dog walker. See if you qualify to become a dog walker. If a part of your business consists of boarding dogs then you will need to obtain a license from your local council. Do Dog Walkers Need A License To Operate? Alternatively, join an agency to gain experience, network, and get a feel for the dog … If you can find open positions at existing dog walking businesses and you have the right experience, you should be able to land your first position. Below is a list of things to take into consideration before you become a dog walker. Kate McQuillan January 6, 2013 Taking care of animals can be one of the most rewarding jobs and so if you love animals and are looking to make an extra income or even make a full time income then starting your own Pet Sitting/Pet Minding business could be the perfect choice for you. Sounds like dog walking might be for you. With Rover, we treat each dog as if it were our own. I don't think there are any rules about this in the UK; it's not exactly a recognised, regulated profession with prescribed qualifications! Here are the three steps you need to take to become a dog walker: Step 1: Go to dog walking school Describe your typical day I leave home at 8am, along with my two dogs, and pick up another four for a walk. Becoming a dog walker isn’t a huge task, as it does not require that you get a certification whatsoever. In the UK, there are currently no universal minimum requirements to start a dog walking business. This course is self directed, which means you may study and complete assignments at times that are most convenient for you from the comfort of … You need to build up a good-sized customer base and that doesn’t happen overnight. I've been dog walking for over 4 years, and I'm usually finished at 3/4pm as most people want their dogs walked during school/working hours, so there won't be much work out there, and attempting to undercut all the people trying to pay their mortgages and rent with dog walking money, while doing it properly with police checks, equipment and insurance (which all cost a LOT of money) … If a farmer catches a dog worrying his livestock, he has the right to stop the dog – even if that means shooting it. Obviously, being your own boss, even as a professional dog walker, isn’t all ice cream and deckchairs in the park. Becoming a dog walker requires a general knowledge of the most popular breeds and their specific behavior tendencies. As a professional dog sitter, you’ll be able to earn up to £1,500 a month while looking after adorable pooches. The Dog Walker Certificate course features units on the most important factors you’ll need to consider in order to get things right from the start. No prior education is strictly necessary, but it is beneficial to know basic dog first aid and dog handling techniques, which can be studied online or at a course.. Dominic Hodgson is a dog walker and trainer from Sunderland. Become educated and certified. By: dburka. To become a dog walker, start by getting experience with an established dog walking agency. You should have good dog handling skills and a thorough understanding of dog socialisation techniques. Here are 9 top tips for how to become a dog walker Do Your Research And Set Goals. Become a dog walker in Brighton and Hove. Become A Barking Mad Dog Walker. 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