Help starting a dog walking and pet sitting business

[koolchick]

I'm wanting to start my own dog walking and pet sitting business but as I'm currently on job seekers allowance I will need some funding. I've seen about test trading scheme which is exactly what I need. It gives you money each week or fortnight equal to what you get before this and gives you 6 month to try out your business idea so you can see if it will be successful or not. The only problem is I'm on work programme which says I need to talk to someone at job centre about getting on test trading. When I went to job centre they told me while I'm on work programme they have nothing to do with me getting funding or helping me get a job.

Does anyone know who should be able to put me on test trading or any other thing where I can get funding to help me get started. I mean weekly or fortnightly money rather than a lump sum then nothing but if it was a large lump sum like at least £1000 this is to live off as well as spending on the business.

 

[businessfunding]

Hi There

I think you have been slightly misinformed about how the scheme works.

It is called the NEA scheme, and is aimed at people who have been on Jobseekers for 6 months plus and who want to start their own business.

To get onto the scheme, however, you have to convince the company managing it that you have a viable business idea. They will then assign you a mentor who, over an 8 week period will help you to put a business plan together. During this time you are are still on jobSeekers, but only need to evidence that you are working on your business plan, not looking for work.

Once your business plan is submitted & approved, you will transfer to NEA, which is a reducing weekly sum over 6 months whilst your business gets up and running (NOT just to try out your idea!). You might also qualify for a loan of £250 - £1,000 over 3 years.

I'm afraid I can't comment on how this works when you are on a wortk programme.

 

[koolchick]

Thanks for the reply I mite mention it when I sign on next because as I want to do this business I'm no longer looking for work. Obviously wont put it like that or I could end up losing my money altogether. I've been on JSA well over a year and am sick of it. They are no help at all and put you on stupid schemes that are useless and if you don't agree to what ever they say you get your money stopped so you have to pretend to agree.

 

[businessfunding]

Where are you based? I ask because I am a volunteer mentor for the scheme which is run in Sussex & Surrey (there are different management companies who will each do things slightly differently).

Ask to be referred to the NEA scheme administrator, they should put you through,

 

[vvaannmmaann]

No idea about the financial aspects of your question.But I did find this which may help your other questions.Good luck with it.
http://www.dogwalkingbusiness.co.uk/

 

[koolchick]

I live in Rotherham. Thanks for the dog walking site it was helpful. I've read up on as much of the business side as I can. My advisor on work programme said she will try to get me funding from princes trust if we can't get any from else where. Are these any good as I know they give lump sums so it would depend how much they gave me I think its upto £4000 so its possible it would be enough I'd be happy with less than half that.

I'll speak to someone at job centre when I sign on next and see if they will help.

 

[altwebdesign]

*Shouts for stretchy*

 

[sla3]

I have to say that you seem to be looking at very large sums of money for 'start-up' capital for what is NOT a capital-intensive business. Loans have to be paid back - so don't spend them on the cost of living, make them work for you if you have to have them.

Start by printing off a few leaflets and pop them through the letter-boxes of people who own dogs in relatively affluent areas. Ask neighbours, friends etc for contacts. Put up leaflets in pet shops, supermarkets etc etc. Sure, leaflets cost money, but keep them simple to begin with. Your very first contract could earn you £25/week. It shouldn't take too long before you're earning more than your JSA if you do your research.

It's hard work though - and if you don't have transport you're limited to the areas you can serve, and if you do have transport - that's an increasing overhead with insurance and petrol getting ever-more expensive.

 

[businessfunding]

As sla3 says; why are you chasing funding?

(BTW sal3, is that your real name? if so, did you change it bey deed poll to match your number plate?)

Can I suggest that you start on your business plan - download a template from businesslink - and find out what you actually need to get your business going?

You don't have to everything at once; start work now generating interest through social media, word of mouth, cards in shops etc; if you're luck you will have a client base by your launch date.

 

[vvaannmmaann]

A guide available on Evilbay.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Run-your-..._B_I_Business_for_Sale_CV&hash=item1c23ed53e2

 

[koolchick]

I do have my own car so will do a wider area to help get me started. I mite start asking round people I meet and know to see if anyone would be willing to pay me to walk their dog or pet sit.

I think the funding I'm looking at is where I don't need to pay it back. The reason I need funding is because I have very little money to live off with JSA so without that I would struggle to pay for anything until I got some business. I'm trying to be realistic and not expect to get loads of people wanting my services straight away maybe only get one or two people to start with and build on that over time. As someone said its likely I will make more than JSA money each week and thats my aim to get at least £60 a week which could be done with 2 customers each week if they needed me a few times a week.

 

[Gillie]

I do have my own car so will do a wider area to help get me started. I mite start asking round people I meet and know to see if anyone would be willing to pay me to walk their dog or pet sit.

I think the funding I'm looking at is where I don't need to pay it back. The reason I need funding is because I have very little money to live off with JSA so without that I would struggle to pay for anything until I got some business. I'm trying to be realistic and not expect to get loads of people wanting my services straight away maybe only get one or two people to start with and build on that over time. As someone said its likely I will make more than JSA money each week and thats my aim to get at least £60 a week which could be done with 2 customers each week if they needed me a few times a week.

Chat to your advisor at the JC - get them to refer you to the local company running the scheme.

Not sure who runs it in Yorks - as only know how it works this side of the Pennines - but get a referal is the first step.

If you fail to get that - have you thought that you can sign off from JSA and then claim working tax credit etc if you are over 25. You can also get help with council tax and/or rent from your local council.

It all helps when you need to make sure you can pay the basics each and every week.

 

[koolchick]

I am 25. Can I get working tav when I'm still living with my mum and will I be able to get it if I'm not making any money from my business at first? Also how much could I get?

 

[Gillie]

I am 25. Can I get working tav when I'm still living with my mum and will I be able to get it if I'm not making any money from my business at first? Also how much could I get?

Head to the working tax credit calculator (google it) and put in you are self employed with zero income at present - answer all the other questions and see what it tells you! Its the expert - not me!

 

[Peter1972]

Why don't you get 5,000 leaflets printed for £39 and deliver them yourself? Avoid local paper days. Fridays and weekends have the best response.
You should get some calls from that. Record a suitable message on your mobile to encourage people to leave messages, but try to answer your phone as much as possible. Prepare answers for obvious questions they will ask.

For the leaflet, you would need pdfs of the front and back. www.printcarrier.com is a cheap printer. Use A6 size, 250gsm (grams per square meter.) They don't do any design work. No, I don't work for them! Put all the relevant information on the leaflets so that potential clients are presold when they ring and are ready to go ahead providing you do not throw anything up that confuses them.

I go running in the forests near my house and there are usually professional dog walkers there with various numbers of dogs, so there definitely is a market. I love dogs myself, so I really wish you all the best with this. It would be very interesting and I once thought about it myself.

Also, you could email some dog walking businesses based far away from you, explaining that you want to start up and are definitely not in competition with them as you are so far away, but would it be possible for you to ring them for a short conversation to ask for advice. (It probably would not be a short conversation, but would be very informative for you in learning what to do and what not to do.)

Peter

 

[koolchick]

Thanks for the reply Peter I will get leaflets and business cards ect once I start advertising as I think once I start advertising I'll lose JSA so need some other money. I will contact the dog walking businesses far from me for advice and I'm thinking of looking into doing dog training in the future but for now need to focus on starting dog walking and pet sitting which I can do straight away.

I do voluntary at a dogs home near me just to get experience with different dogs last time I walked 2 Staffys 1 which was prone to having fits and none liked other dogs but both walked fine even passing other dogs but it did alert me to some things I will need to deal with. Another reason to do dog training is so I can deal with any aggressive dogs which is the only part I'm not looking forward to but I know at some point I will end up having to deal with an aggressive dog and I need to know how to handle it.

 

[captaincloser]

I do voluntary at a dogs home near me just to get experience with different dogs last time I walked 2 Staffys 1 which was prone to having fits and none liked other dogs but both walked fine even passing other dogs but it did alert me to some things I will need to deal with. Another reason to do dog training is so I can deal with any aggressive dogs which is the only part I'm not looking forward to but I know at some point I will end up having to deal with an aggressive dog and I need to know how to handle it.

Dog training ? You are going to lead dog training classes ? If my interpretation is correct you plan to be a dog walker and dog trainer ? What qualifications and experience do you have in dog training ? Have you ever had to seperate a pet from a very aggresive Staffordshire bull terrier or similar ? Have you thought about how you might deal with the consequences ?

Not taking out aggresive dogs is only half the issue. The other half is meeting aggresive dogs-and there are plenty of them in most places with very unsuitable owners.

Most of this thread is about money and losing allowances. My concern would be for the dogs and the consequences when things go wrong. Whilst admirable I do not feel that working 'volantary' at a dogs home necessarily ticks the boxes required. There are excellent dog walkers but thats not all dog walkers. It's important for you to have a clear perspective on what may be involved.

If,on the other hand, all the above is known and catereed for in advance then I wish you well with this as it could be extremely rewarding -way beyond money... There are books on the subject and contacting another well established dog walker/trainer would be my advice.

 

[BustersDogs]

I'm not sure how it works with JSA, but I wouldn't bother with leaflets if you are short on money, use the free ad websites. It's where my first clients came from before I got my website going. I've never had work come in from a leaflet, and I ask every single person who rings me where they heard about me.

I did wait a month for my first phone call, but if you lose your JSA when you start to set up a business can you get income support instead? That way when you do get one job, if it's only a few pounds a week you will lose that, but income support will top you up. I don't see that you should automatically lose your benefit, because you could still take on part time work and do dog walking/pet sitting. You could work 9-5 then go and feed cats in the evening, for instance.

You mention aggressive dogs, I strongly recommend you DON'T take any aggresive dogs out on walks. At all. Ever. Because if they injure someone or another dog, the law says the victim can sue you and the owner, and if they do that, the owner will probably sue you as well! If you want to do dog training, that's fine, but you'd still need to spend a couple of years training sociable dogs before you could even attempt an aggressive dog. Even a muzzle can't prevent an aggressive dog injuring someone, because they learn to use claws and muzzle punch instead.

Good luck though, this is a fantastic job!

 

[Chris Ashdown]

What is to stop you taking out some dogs now, you must know someone who has dogs, when you go out stop and talk to other people out with dogs ask them if they would be interested in your service and if so get their contact numbers, after a few weeks you should have enogh people to start up

One area who always want walkers is greyhound kennels, if one is local to you ask them

Look at the basics of what you want to do, you don't need help or assistance but to just get off your bum and get dog walking. you can always find reasons to put if off or just go for it, i suggest the latter

 

[sla3]

You mention aggressive dogs, I strongly recommend you DON'T take any aggresive dogs out on walks. At all. Ever. Because if they injure someone or another dog, the law says the victim can sue you and the owner, and if they do that, the owner will probably sue you as well!

But she'll surely have insurance to cover that, and any loss/injury to any dog in her temporary care.

If you want to do dog training, that's fine, but you'd still need to spend a couple of years training sociable dogs before you could even attempt an aggressive dog. Even a muzzle can't prevent an aggressive dog injuring someone, because they learn to use claws and muzzle punch instead.

Experience is, as you say, vital before taking out ANY difficult dog - or any powerful dog, come to that. I have a deaf Jack Russel who will wriggle out of any harness and muzzle he's in - given time. And he doesn't need much time.

 

[koolchick]

Yes I would have insurance to cover any injuries caused by aggressive dogs. Especially to start with I don't want to turn people down unless I'm forced to such as a dog that is aggressive towards me. I think that is the only certain one I'd have to turn down. Iam not going to offer training straight away as I know I would need some training to do it professionally which will take time.

I do have a good idea how to deal with an aggressive dog and have asked a local dog walker how they would deal with an aggressive dog coming to a dog she is walking and the reply was pretty much what I'd do in the same situation, such as if the dog being walked is small enough pick it up, tell the aggressive dog in firm voice to go away and push it away.

 

[S-Marketing]

Dog walking is a very easy business to start up and make money from, but don't be fooled into thinking anyone can do it. If you think you are going to be ok 'pushing away' an aggresive dog, you are in for a nasty surprise.

Just because you can walk dogs, doesn't mean you should. Equally, just because you are insured against injuring the animals, doesn't mean it is any less serious.

The country is full of dog trainers who have done a few basic courses and think they are experts. They will have done a course that takes a few weeks and then a few other 'mickey mouse' qualifications, and think they know enough to charge for their services. Proper dog behavior qualifications are not gained in a half baked 21 day course you see advertised all over the internet.

As some members know, I looked into this business as a way of having a year off from proper work a while back. I did a decent amount of research and found that there are hardly any dog walking businesses who are running their ventures as proper businesses, and most of them aren't running them in the best interests of the animals either.

This in an industry where differentiating your offering and gaining an advantage over the established competition is incredibly easy. You do, however, need to be doing it right, and for the right reasons.

 

[BustersDogs]

But she'll surely have insurance to cover that, and any loss/injury to any dog in her temporary care.

Hopefully, but that won't protect you if you end up in court under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

I do have a good idea how to deal with an aggressive dog and have asked a local dog walker how they would deal with an aggressive dog coming to a dog she is walking and the reply was pretty much what I'd do in the same situation, such as if the dog being walked is small enough pick it up, tell the aggressive dog in firm voice to go away and push it away.

Oh. My. God.

As someone else said, not every dog walker is a good one. This might work with a dog showing anti-social behaviour. NEVER pick up a small dog, or any other dog, if there is a serious fight because they can lose eyes, ears, deglove limbs if the other dog is hanging on. Touching a dog, ANY dog, even the one that was attacked can lead to the dog biting you in its panic. Putting your hands anywhere near a dog fight can lose you fingers, and if you already know the dog you are walking has aggressive tendancies it's possible your insurance won't cover you, and you won't be able to sue the owner because you accepted the risk when you took on their dog.

Please, PLEASE do some more research before you start dog walking. I strongly recommend you look up John Rogerson and take one of his courses if this is something you want to do.

 

[koolchick]

I will look up any courses I can go on regarding dog walking or training and pet sitting. How would dog walkers on here deal with aggressive dogs. I have always had dogs and luckily never been in middle of 2 aggressive dogs though I have managed to avoid some dog fights by picking my dog up before the other dog had chance to start fighting. Once with my dog on lead I saw a bigger dog on its own it looked a\t us and I had feeling it didn't look too friendly so trusting my own judgment I picked my dog up and at same time the other dog ran towards us but then went away when I shouted at it to go.

I'm not saying this would work every time but it did that time. I wouldn't pick a dog up oncethe fight had started but before it starts it has worked for me in the past. but I would be grateful for.

 

[sla3]

Well call me stupid, but I just grabbed the aggressor. I had an Akita who would now and again get exasperated with my CollieX for no particular reason and would launch an assault from across the room. I would launch myself at her and make sure the little guy got away! But she was MY dog. I would NOT advise the same actions for anyone else's dog and certainly not for a strange dog.

If you have no experience in these matters - and the more you write the less experience you show - I really do suggest some professional training is required and NOT just a couple of chats with someone who "knows about dogs". And professional training is not cheap and not quick.

Have you ever thought of volunteering at your local dogs home? They are probably always in need of dog walkers and you may get to experience a variety of dogs and situations under good supervision.

 

[koolchick]

Well call me stupid, but I just grabbed the aggressor. I had an Akita who would now and again get exasperated with my CollieX for no particular reason and would launch an assault from across the room. I would launch myself at her and make sure the little guy got away! But she was MY dog. I would NOT advise the same actions for anyone else's dog and certainly not for a strange dog.

If you have no experience in these matters - and the more you write the less experience you show - I really do suggest some professional training is required and NOT just a couple of chats with someone who "knows about dogs". And professional training is not cheap and not quick.

Have you ever thought of volunteering at your local dogs home? They are probably always in need of dog walkers and you may get to experience a variety of dogs and situations under good supervision.

I do already do voluntary dog walking for a lo9cal dogs home to get some experience walking different dogs.

 

[FreelanceSoftwareDeveloper]

Have you ever been in a situation where your dog is being attacked by another dog, unfortunately I have on a couple of occasions and everything you think you would do simply doesn't happen. It is absolutely awful and a crazy amount of movement and noise, you can't simply grab or kick the offending dog it's all happening too fast.

The dog who attacked mine recently also attacked my other dog years ago (it's a really evil Scotty Dog that hates everyone) and the owner likes to think of herself as a bit of an expert, she took him on off her mum and they are always at training but it clearly isn't going to work with this thing. But like Stretchy said, whilst she isn't a 'professional dog walker' she does various courses and I see on Facebook comments about completing various things to do with her Pack Leader Diploma but only yesterday my mum was walking my 2 terriers and she was walking 3 dogs (not the evil one) and one got loose and ran across the road to have a go at my dogs, not attack but a good doggy argument apparently. I was tempted to reply to her comment about completing some part of her course last night with "Maybe next level they will teach you how to hold a lead" but thought that would be a bit petty

 

[businessfunding]

I do already do voluntary dog walking for a lo9cal dogs home to get some experience walking different dogs.

Well done for doing something constructive.

There is are lots of comments on here from people who know what they are doing; I do hope that you will see these as a constructive route to making your business professional, and not to put you off the idea all together.

I also hope that a loan from the NEA scheme will go towards training.

 

[koolchick]

I have been in situations where I feel another dog is going to be aggressive with my dog and I've had to pick him up or push other dog away with my foot.


I have found all replies helpful and constructive rather than people trying to put me off thanks.

 

[FreelanceSoftwareDeveloper]

I have been in situations where I feel another dog is going to be aggressive with my dog and I've had to pick him up or it sounds horrible but kick the other dog to get it away. I know kicking isn't the best way as it could end up turning on me, but as you say in the seconds you get to think you normally act automatically rather than thinking what to do and protecting your own dog or dogs in your care is most important and of course protecting yourself.

I have found all replies helpful and constructive rather than people trying to put me off thanks.

I would kick this dog off a bridge given the chance due to the amount of misery he has caused to my dogs over the years what I am saying is that once it's started you simply can't do it as you're just as likely kick your own dog in all the mayhem that was my point.

I'm not trying to put you off, that is just a general risk of dog walking.

 

[koolchick]

I would kick this dog off a bridge given the chance due to the amount of misery he has caused to my dogs over the years what I am saying is that once it's started you simply can't do it as you're just as likely kick your own dog in all the mayhem that was my point.

I'm not trying to put you off, that is just a general risk of dog walking.

I know what you are saying there is a dog that lives next door to my nan that I can honestly say I would think nothing of kicking it or anything. It doesn't like other dogs or anything that moves always barks at people. My dog who is the sweetest dog I've known (and I have had other dogs) hates it and because I normally have my dog when I see this other dog it now thinks its ok to be aggressive to me with or without my dog and once tried to bite me when I didn't have my dog. The owner is lovely though but too soft with the dog. I mean I'm stupid with my dog let him do most things and don't like getting him off settee to go to his bed, but there are 2 things I would be firm with him for and one is showing any sign of aggression even with his food or another dog the other is if he put himself in danger in anyway. He knows he gets his own way through being so good natured so plays on it.

 

[emmylou74]

Years ago I was a dog walker. I never had two dogs attacking each other but on two occasions I did have the dogs I was walking turn and attack me.

The first one was an alsation that got spooked by a train and turned on me jumping at me and ripping my clothes. All I could think of the time was do not let the dog go because he could be killed. At the time I put into practise some of Turid Ruugas calming techniques. Luckily I managed to get the dog into a calm state and bac home no harm to the dog - and luckily I wore plenty of layers so although my clothes were badly ripped there were no scars.

The second time was an english bull terrier and she attacked me in her house. She jumped from behind and pulled me down to the ground from my pony tail and tore the pocket off my jacket.

I really think anyone thinking about dog walking as a career should really be trained in dog behaviour and psychology. An understanding of dog's body language and how they interact in certain situations and how to keep yourself safe when things go wrong are really a must. I think what happened to me could have been so much worse if I hadn't the knowledge on how to calm a dog.

I'm definitely not saying these things to put you off - but rather prepare. Both of these dogs had been walked by me several times before hand. It was just infortunate circumstances that led to these instances.

I'm not a dog walker now lol.

 

[emmylou74]

I know what you are saying there is a dog that lives next door to my nan that I can honestly say I would think nothing of kicking it or anything. quote]

There is no way I would have someone with this attitude anywhere near my dogs!

 

[emmylou74]

There is no such thing as bad/evil dogs - just bad owners. it can be hard for some dogs to understand trying to live in a human world.

 

[koolchick]

Years ago I was a dog walker. I never had two dogs attacking each other but on two occasions I did have the dogs I was walking turn and attack me.

The first one was an alsation that got spooked by a train and turned on me jumping at me and ripping my clothes. All I could think of the time was do not let the dog go because he could be killed. At the time I put into practise some of Turid Ruugas calming techniques. Luckily I managed to get the dog into a calm state and bac home no harm to the dog - and luckily I wore plenty of layers so although my clothes were badly ripped there were no scars.

The second time was an english bull terrier and she attacked me in her house. She jumped from behind and pulled me down to the ground from my pony tail and tore the pocket off my jacket.

I really think anyone thinking about dog walking as a career should really be trained in dog behaviour and psychology. An understanding of dog's body language and how they interact in certain situations and how to keep yourself safe when things go wrong are really a must. I think what happened to me could have been so much worse if I hadn't the knowledge on how to calm a dog.

I'm definitely not saying these things to put you off - but rather prepare. Both of these dogs had been walked by me several times before hand. It was just infortunate circumstances that led to these instances.

I'm not a dog walker now lol.

I have read somewhere on one forum it may of been this one if you have posted this on here before about a dog walker being attacked by dogs they were walking. How did you deal with the 2nd one? Did it attack you before or after you had taken it a walk have you any idea why it attacked you? What did the owner say when they found out?

 

[koolchick]

There is no such thing as bad/evil dogs - just bad owners. it can be hard for some dogs to understand trying to live in a human world.

This could actually be true as the dog has been up to me before and just sniffed at me when it was with the womans boy friend but when with her its more aggressive.

 

[emmylou74]

I have read somewhere on one forum it may of been this one if you have posted this on here before about a dog walker being attacked by dogs they were walking. How did you deal with the 2nd one? Did it attack you before or after you had taken it a walk have you any idea why it attacked you? What did the owner say when they found out?

I dealt with the second one in the same way by applying the caling techniques until the dog was calm enough for me to get up and away without harm. I think the dog was just over excited it was before the walk the dog was left for over 12 hours a day with only one walk from me to break up the boredom of that.

On both occasions the owners did not want to know.

 

[Homshaw]

You would be entitled to Working Tax Credits. I reckon £50 a week but reducing if your income goes over £6400. You need to work 30 hours a week but that includes looking for work, doing the books etc

Found this link

http://www.moneymagpie.com/article/make-60-an-hour-by-dog-walking

Don't know how realistic it is. If you make £60 an hour give me a shout and I'll try it myself

 

[BustersDogs]

Don't know how realistic it is. If you make £60 an hour give me a shout and I'll try it myself

"In London and the South particularly people are willing to pay £10-15 per dog, per hour or part of an hour. So if you walk four at a time you could make £60 an hour!"

Complete nonsense. That assumes you get beamed to the park Star Trek style with 4 dogs all ready for your walk, and takes no account of the advertising, phone calls, texts, meetings etc with the client before hand. Nor expenses! It's this sort of website that leads to people starting it thinking it's money for old rope, doing a bad job then just giving up leaving owners in the lurch.

I have not been attacked by a dog I walk, but I have been on the receiving end of dogs who have learnt to use an inhibited bite to get their own way. These dogs go home after the walk, never to be visited again. I'm afraid there are bad dogs, it's not all down to bad owners. We've moved on from Barbara Woodhouse! Some dogs, no matter what you do, learn to be aggressive early and easily, with even the best owners.

 

[koolchick]

Thanks for that site hadn't seen it before. I very much doubt I will make £60 an hour especially at the start as I'll probably not take more than 2 or 3 dogs at once and probably never more than 4.