I still think that dog walking is one of the best jobs on the planet. Before I give you the best dog walking jobs. Let me tell you a bit something about dogs.
Just like us, humans, dogs get bored too if they are caged or confined in the house for too long.
Walking the dog provides physical and mental stimulation and it is a great chance for behavioural training as well.
They learn to build their confidence and socialize not just with you but with other people and other dogs too.
In This Guide
What companies have the best dog walking jobs?
- Rover
- Barkly Pets
- Wag
- Pet Backer
- Holidog
- Fetch Pet Care
Best Dog Walking Job Companies
Some people say that having a dog is like having a kid. You are responsible for nurturing them physically, mentally and emotionally in short, you are responsible for molding their whole well being.
Since they don’t have the ability and capacity to take care of themselves, they merely depend on you.
Sadly, not many dog owners have the time to do all these things, some think that feeding them and providing a shelter is more than enough, little do they know that, by not bringing their pets outdoors even just for a walk, affects not just their physical, mental health, but also dogs behaviour and confidence.
Fortunately, there are some people who have thought of these problems and created a solution for busy pet owners. Now there are companies built to cater for all of our pet needs.
1. ROVER
Is one of the largest and fast growing companies that focuses on the well being of our pets. All sitters pass a background check and are approved by Rover’s Team Sitters Specialist.
Here are the services Rover offers
– Dog Walking
just provide your address, preferred date, size of the dog and how frequent you want them to walk your pet in your neighbourhood.
– Doggy Day Care
You can drop off your pet at the sitter’s house and pick your pet up at night. They will be taking care of your pet’s needs while in their care.
– Boarding
Your pet will be staying at the sitter’s home until you pick your pet up. Depending on what the pet owner and the sitter agreed upon. They are in-charge of your pet’s welfare.
– House Sitting
A sitter will be taking care of your pets at your home until you get back.
– Drop-In Visits
A sitter will be visiting your pets, playing with them, giving them food, cleaning their litter and giving them potty breaks while you are gone.
How To Start In Rover?
If you are a pet lover and would like to join Rover just simply go to Rover.com, choose the services you’d like to render, complete the application form and click submit.
You will be notified through email after 10-20 business days if you are qualified.
Once you pass the background check and approval. Your profile will appear on Rover marketplace and pet owners will be able to reach you.
How Much Money Can You Make In Rover?
In Rover, the amount of money you can make depends on your booking and how often you work.
An average dog walker can earn $17.25 per hour which is above the national average.
So if you are a pet lover you will really enjoy this job and be compensated above average, just do the Math. The more bookings the more money you can earn.
2. BARKLY PETS
If you are looking for trained professional dog walkers, you can surely find them here in Barkly Pets.
Here you can meet the dog walkers of your choice and see the best match for you and your dog before booking.
Here are the services Barkly Pets offers
– Dog Walking
– On-Demand Pet Care
Clients are matched to local professionals for their pet’s treatment.
– Pet First Aid and CPR Certification
Barkly Pets offers their dog walkers these certifications to empower, motivate and for them to be more confident in performing their duties and responsibilities as dog walkers.
How to start in Barkly Pets?
Create your profile revealing your pet care credentials which will be shown on their website. Barkly provides a commission-free dog walking app, which means that you can set your price and you keep all your earnings.
Once you become a member you will have access to their marketing tools and technology and free certifications to improve your pet care credentials.
How Much Money Can You Make In Barkly Pets?
Once you earn more than $100 a month, Barkly will automatically charge you $8.50 for membership fee. Walkers can earn more than $1000 a month and the membership fee remains the same at $8.50. In addition to that, it is a $10 one time activation fee.
Here in Barkly Pets you are running your own business. They are just providing you the app which serves as your tool in running your own company.
3. WAG
Provides pet caregivers that offer anytime care. Their services are insured and have 24/7 support. All walks are GPS tracked for the walkers and dogs safety. You will also receive a live photo and video of your pet while they are under WAGs’ care.
Here are the services WAG offers.
– Walking
– Boarding
– Sitting
– Drop-in Visits
– Wellness Plans
This offers a routine physical examination for your pet. This is a check-up done once or twice a year to ensure the health of your pet. The services rendered depend on the plan you choose to avail.
Visit your vet
File a claim
Get reimbursed 100%
– In-Home Training
Wag offers In-Home training where they teach your pet tricks and follow commands. It allows you to join the training session, so that you would be able to execute the daily routine and good behaviour of your dog both indoors and outdoors.
– Digital Training
Once you pick the trainer you like on the Wag website. Start by chatting about what you want your pet to learn. After that, you can now schedule a Digital Training session with your chosen trainer.
– Vet Chat
Here you would be able to chat with a licensed Vet and tell all your concerns about your pet for a fee at the convenience of your home.
How Much Money Can You Make in Wag?
Your earnings vary depending on the services you offer. A 30-minute walk pays around $12 plus tip, on the other hand they charge a $26 base pay for overnight sitting.
4. PetBacker
PetBacker is a multi-national pet company that offers services all over the world. From small towns to big cities they have you covered.
So if you want to tag along your pet when you travel, you still have a place to bring them, if there are any circumstances that will not allow you to have them with you.
PetBacker will locate local dog walkers, groomers and sitters for your convenience. They will provide you the estimates for the services you want to avail.
They give a real time dog walk report, photos of pets are sent directly to their fur parents and they encourage cage free boarding and sitting services.
Here are the services PetBacker offers
– Dog Walking
– Pet Sitting
– Pet Taxi
Not all public transportation allows pets in their vehicle.
So PetBacker has a list of contacts to provide this service.
– Grooming
Grooming is very important, it helps to improve the health and well being of your pets.
Not only does it make your pets look good and pretty. Regular grooming helps decrease health problems too.
How to start on PetBacker?
• List down the services you are offering on PetBacker website for free. • Decide your own requirements, service fees and schedule.
• You will be able to chat with fur parents regarding the services fees. Once you’re listed.
• All payments are made via PetBacker.
How Much Money Can You Make In PetBacker?
You set your own service rates. So once you get a booking, PetBacker deducts 15%-25% service fee. The service fee is reduced depending on how many services you have completed.
The more completed bookings you made, the lesser the service fee which means more money for you to keep.
5. Holidog
Holidog is a company that arranges business between pet owners and sitters. They have been in this industry for more than 7 years now, providing a personalized and traditional pet sitting.
Here are the services Holidog offers
– Dog Walking
– Daily 30-Minute Visit
A sitter will come to your home for 30 minutes to feed, give water and cuddles your pet
– In Your Own Home
Pet sitter stays in your home and takes care of your pet needs until you come back.
– With A Host Family
Holidog will find your pet a foster family where your pet can stay for the whole duration that you will be gone.
How Much Money Can You Make In Holidog?
Holidog is 100% free and takes zero commission.
The company only collect the subscription fee and the pet sitting fee is paid directly to the sitter.
The service fee is decided by the pet sitter alone, as long as it’s within the price range.
The payment is arranged purely by the fur parent and the pet sitter.
6. Fetch Pet Care
Is a trusted professional dog walking and pet sitting business in the booming pet industry. They provide reliable, professional and highly experienced pet sitters.
Here are the services Fetch offers
– Dog Walking
– Pet Sitting
– Pet Taxi
– Puppy Sitting
Puppy sitters can assist you in creating a customized program for your new puppy. The sitter helps the pup to potty train, exercise and eat a balanced diet.
This program should be done consistently by you and your pup.
– Overnight Care
A highly trained and trusted Fetch Care overnight pet sitter can stay with your pet and cater for all of the pet’s needs while you are away.
– Almost Overnight Care
The sitter stops by your house at night to check your pet’s condition and make sure that your pet has everything he needs for the night. The sitter comes back in the morning to again tend to your pet’s needs.
– Pet Medical Administration
An experienced medical professional will be able to help you administer shots or medication. If your pet is sick or has had surgery.
The Fetch medical team will make all this terrifying experience a little bit easier for your pet and for yourself as well.
How Much Money Can You Make In Fetch?
Your salary depends on the assignments or bookings that you will choose to accept. A Fetch employee’s average salary is $32,686/ year or around $15.71/ hour. Fetch is also open for franchising.
If You really love pets and want to look after their wellbeing. You might want to try this growing business.
Frequently Ask Questions.
What are the dog walker responsibilities?
– A dog walker provides food and water and dispose of waste products.
– He or she is responsible for pets’ well-being while under his or her care, so in case of unforeseen events They need to bring the pets to the Vet.
– They provide companionship while working and follow the routes and schedules they agreed upon with the pet owner.
The average salary of a dog walker
You’d be surprised how much an average dog walker makes $29,921 annual income. That is about $14.39/ hour equals $575/ week. Which is above the national average.
So if you are a true animal lover this job is not so bad. In fact, a dog walking job is a very lucrative career. You get to enjoy what you are doing and you, yourself get to work out as well while doing your job. And the amount of money that you can earn depends on you.
How much can you get paid for dog walking?
An average dog walker charges between $10-$30 per 30-minute walk for a single animal. You can also request a 60-minute walk that ranges from $30-$60 depending on the location and dog walker too.
What qualifications do you need to be a dog walker?
1. Physically and Mentally fit
Dog walking jobs can be physically and mentally demanding. There will be instances that you need to have the strength to control the pets under your care and be able to understand the reason for their behavior.
2. Detail Oriented
You should know the proper care and needs of a specific breed. You should know the state and city ordinances and specific instructions of clients.
3. Compassionate to animals
It’s a trait one should have if you really want to be a dog walker. It would be hard for the animals to relay how they feel. But, if you are truly dedicated to what you do. It would be easy for you to comprehend and attend to their needs.
4. Education
Aside from regular schooling. It would be helpful if a dog walker knows basic animal first aid. Local organizations offer this program for a fee.
5. Training
It’s a plus if a dog walker is already well trained and knows how to feed, transport, clean up after the animals and aware of proper disposal of waste materials.
6. Certifications
Some but not all required certifications from colleges and organizations that offer animal care programs.
Is There A Demand for Dog Walkers?
Although there was a decline in pet related services in the last year due to the pandemic. It is expected to boom again, now that most of the people are returning back to work.
Dog walking jobs and other pet related services are expected to climb back again, now that most pet owners are going back to work.
Can you earn good money from dog walking jobs?
The answer is absolutely yes! And in this line of work you could be your own boss. name your price, schedule and you have the power to accept the job or not. The pay is not so bad as well, it’s above the national average plus tip if you are lucky.
Dog walking jobs and other pet related jobs will be more in demand, now that most of the people are busy returning back to their regular jobs.
So if you have the passion and love the company of pets. This job is something you will enjoy.
Final Thoughts
Some people might think that dog walking jobs are not as lucrative compared to working in an office wearing a suit and tie. Others even look down on people doing this kind of job.
But these days it’s different. Dog walkers are considered professionals, some even have training certificates and are well educated on the field they are working on. They also get a competitive salary which is above the national average.
Lastly, a dog walking job in my opinion is like everyone’s dream job. If and only if you are truly an animal lover. It’s like getting paid for something you love to do. You get to walk and stroll around with the dog that could possibly become your best friend.
