I want to start my own dog sitting business how do i get started?

Answer 1

Check with your local government as to what you need to run a business legally. There are non-profit organizations that will help small business owners for a nominal fee. The main things you should know are...
1. How to catch a dog if it gets loose. Leashes can break and collars can pop off!
2. How to treat a dog for injuries or illness in an emergency. Where is the nearest vet or emergency clinic and how will you get there?
2A. Know the breeds that you are taking care of - pugs and bulldogs can have severe respiratory problems on a hot day.
3. Can you get bonded or insurance to protect yourself if one of your client's dogs is lost, injured or killed while in your care? What if a dog you are watching bites someone?
4. Be careful about taking keys to your clients' property to walk the dog when they're not home - if something goes missing, you'll probably get the blame. Being sued is an expensive nightmare - even if you win. Make sure that if you charge and collect sales tax you turn it in to the government - it's a major felony if you don't and they take it a lot more seriously than failing to report some of your income.

Be sure you have a written contract, stating the price that the customer is expected to pay and who is responsible for vet bills if the dog is injured or becomes ill. Make sure you have emergency contact numbers for their vet and the client's hotel and a local friend of the client who is authorized to make decisions if you can't reach the client.

Don't sit for any dogs that aren't vaccinated - your dog could be affected if the client's dog is sick. Keep your dog separate from the client's dog - especially if the dog is small or aggressive.

Is your yard clean and securely fenced? How will you find the dog if he gets loose, jumps a fence or runs away? Do you have a photo of the dog? Is he tattooed or micro-chipped? In case he is lost, this is the most reliable way of getting him identified and returned home.

What happens to the client's dog if YOU become ill or have a family emergency and have to go away? Do you have smoke detectors and a fire evacuation plan?

It's best to let the client bring the same food the dog is used to eating. (That's better for you and them - the dog won't get diarrhea from a food change.) What happens to the dog if the client has a problem and can't pick it up in a timely manner? Or refuses to pay the agreed on amount?

Do you have kids and do they have access to the dogs? Do they walk them or feed them? Taking care of someone's beloved pet is a BIG responsibility! Be prepared!

Answer 2

First thing is make sure you actually have enough experience! If you want to start a serious business, you have to have done more than just walk your neighbor's pooch when they go out of town.

Then make sure you're insured and bonded. It also helps to take courses in animal first aid and CPR. Again, you don't want to just seem like some Joe who's just walked a couple of dogs.

Your car should be in good shape. If it seems like possible transportation problems may arise, then you've got some re-thinking to do cuz the last thing people want to hear when they're on vacation is that your old battlewagon broke down and you couldn't get to their place and so their dog has probably peed all over the house.

Search around and see what other dog walkers in your area are charging for their services. You can go a little bit lower than them if you want to really drum up some business. Also see if there are other services that you can offer that they don't.

Advertise yourself! I'm an ad major and this is definitely the most important part of starting a new business. No one's gonna come to you if you don't get the word out. First thing you can do is post on craigslist (that's where I found my dog walker). And I tell you this, get yourself a web site! It doesn't have to be fancy, as long as you make it easy to use and list all the necessary information. Put a picture of yourself and a dog and see if your former clients wouldn't mind doing testimonials for you. Having a web site will get you so much more business. People like to know all the little details before they make that call.

Hope I've helped you. Good luck!

Answer 3

The answer depends upon many factors. How old are you, for example? The answer for a ten-year-old who wants to start a dogsitting business is different from the answer for a thirty-year old. The answer for someone who needs to earn mid-five-figures is different from the answer for someone who would like to earn some money in the summer while school's out. So perhaps you could be more specific about your needs.

Answer 4

The first thing to do is contact the state business licensing agency to see what type of licenses you may need then go from there

Answer 5

just put up fliers around ur pool and other places, like the vets office that pet owners will go and research how much it costs for them to put the dog up in the kennel near u, then advertise how ur price is lower than that

Answer 6

I would put an add in the paper or advertise your services on public display boards: grocery stores, etc...

Answer 7

put up flyers and leave them in people's doors or go to the supermarket and put them on people's window thingy's (the things the push the rain away so you can see)