this is my situation, i have 3 children all attending full time school, my husband works full time but i could do with earning a few extra pounds, anyway have been thinking of offering a dog sitting service where people drop their dogs off to me on way to work, pick them up on way home. i have a border collie myself he is very friendly towards other dogs. NO i have not got a massive garden, but would take them for walks everyday, i have to take my dog anyway. I would however have to be realsitic i could only accept dogs which are sociable and could only accept 2/3 dogs per day. I would be offering these dogs a loving and friendly enviroment untill they were picked up. would any of you use this type of service or do you think this is a stupid idea. I have no idea of how much i would charge at this stage this is just a thought. any feedback good or bad would be appreciated.
2006-10-29 19:06:01 · 25 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
very good idea! I like it and I am a stay at home mom also needing a few more dollars...may try it in my area. Don't forget about their food/meds just as a child may need for sitting. Also the fact many may have a chewing problem or not fully house trained. Choose wisely and good luck.
2006-10-29 19:10:22 · answer #1 · answered by any1on 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is a great idea. I'd love to be able to do this myself!
Things to think of include:
Insurance for the pet - are you covered if the dog you are minding runs out into the road etc? I would suggest a contract with your service users that includes a disclaimer against your liability for accidents and insisting that the animal is adequately insured by the owner.
Prices - This would vary depending on the area you live in and I would suggest a variable price structure depending on the size of the dog and its exercise requirements. If I were you I would negotiate the price with your first few customers according to the number of hours you have the dog for and get a feel for the market value of your service in your area. I think that people may be willing to pay around 10-15 pounds if they used your service on an occasional basis and less if they wanted to use you for a few days every week.
Your dog - Although your dog is friendly are you sure he will be happy with strange dogs entering his territory? Beware of unneutered males or visiting dogs with a dominant character who may challenge your dogs authority in his own home! This may cause a lot of upset for your dog! Go about introducing visitors carefully, preferably on neutral territory and ensure that your dog always has his own space to retreat to.
Why do people need your service? This is a question to consider. If someone leaves their dog all day while they work, the dog may have behavioural problems when it is not supervised and you would be well advised never to leave someone elses dog alone in your house!
Good luck in thinking this through and getting it off the ground.
2006-10-29 20:29:57 · answer #2 · answered by PetLover 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think that is a fantastic idea, like you say your dog is fine with other dogs, you have to take him for a walk anyway, why worry about the size of your garden, lets face it if you weren't doing a service of looking after these dogs what would they be doing all day anyhow, stuck in a house been bored without a walk or company and their owners fretting over them, I think you should go for it and sooner rather than later before anyone else in your area nicks your idea, I bet you will find lots of people wanting you to have their dogs for them during the day, I would charge £6 per dog per day, its £8 for day borders in our local kennels, its a fair price is £6 for peace of mind that their dogs aren't wreaking their houses or been left alone, you would earn money for yourself and could maybe put it towards a nice holiday for yourself and your family, get going girl and the best of luck.
2006-11-01 10:53:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bloody brilliant idea! You sound experienced, you have thought this out, been realistic and if you are in the Bristol/S. Glos area I could have your first 4 legged cutomer!
I think £10 per day would be realistic (£50 per week per dog), and the owners provide the food / treats etc. 2 - 3 dogs would be a cash income of £100 - £150 per week for no outlay.
I dont think you have to be registered or inspected for this, but it may be a good idea to have policies and rules of your own eg minimum ages, being fleaed/wormed, sizes of dogs, what happens in an emergency or when you are in holliday or unable to have them for a day eg if your children are home ill.
Best of luck with the venture!
2006-10-29 19:23:42 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I reckon people might, it sounds like a fab idea- you would have to know where to advertise, and I would also maybe give them a free 1/2 day trial or something when they are not at work, just to check they get on with the other dogs so they can pick them up before they trash the house. Good luck!
2006-10-29 19:14:17 · answer #5 · answered by emily_jane2379 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its a fantastic idea. I used to take my dogs to doggy daycare that was offered by a local kennel. It cost £4.50 per dog per day. The only trouble with that was they shut at 5pm so I often had to leave work early to pick them up. So your service would be fantastic. Word of caution, everyone else has mentioned liability insurance, and I must agree with them. Dogs can be unpredictable and will bite if provoked. But good luck!!!
2006-10-29 21:08:24 · answer #6 · answered by Emma W 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I used to do this for some friends who both worked; it worked out very well for all of us. And my dog loved the company.
If you can handle a border collie I'd leave my dog with you!
Just look into the legal implications - what would you do if you lost someones dog? Would you be insured?
Its best for both owners to walk both dogs together a couple of times, then take them all back to your house for a cuppa. It settles the dogs, lets them see their owners know you, and puts the owners minds at rest.
2006-10-29 20:54:45 · answer #7 · answered by sarah c 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it's a great Idea! I would love to do this if I had a dog. I live alone, and don't know when I move (I get told to move, I don't ask), so it wouldn't be fair to own a dog. If I did, I would let you look after him/her if you lived near me! I'd hate to leave a dog at home all day, and it would teach it to be sociable towards humans and dogs!
2006-10-29 19:55:14 · answer #8 · answered by genghis41f 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with all the other replies, I have three rescued dogs and hate having to leave them on their own even for a short time even though they have each other for company! you just have to think it throughand visualise for eg.4 dogs all getting fed at the same time and being overexcited knowing their dinner is coming, trying to keep them from eating one anothers food because there will always be a greedy one! Also on wet days your house will reek of wet dog and you need old towels to clean them up after a run and your yard or garden will have to be regularly cleaned because you dont want your children stepping in dog poo! Also beware of any male dogs if one of the females is in 'season'!!!!
2006-10-29 21:11:17 · answer #9 · answered by gaelgal 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Doggie day cares are big in the states and even if you don't have a large yard what about converting a basement to a play area.
The doggie daycare that grooms my dogs has kids outside climbing toys like little tykes that the dogs play on.
2006-11-01 05:08:03 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋