What do you need to do to become a professional dog walker? How do you secure that certification? And do you have what it takes to walk professionally with the best available equipment and knowledge? Here are some basic pieces of equipment that are necessary for a professional dog walker.
Pet Sitting License. Whether you’re a pet sitting company or a private person, you must first have a license to start a pet sitting service. To get a license, you will need to attend classes taught by a professional dog walking service. You can also get the information online. One important thing to remember is that the license doesn’t grant permission to do business. Only the services you provide are legal.
Leash. No matter if you are a professional dog walker or a pet sitting service, you must wear a collar. This will help keep you from becoming the kind of “run around” dog trainer so often happens in training centers.
Walking Collar. There are different types of collars for different purposes. For example, there are small, thin electric collars for small pets and the like. But professional dog walkers always use chain collars for the larger dogs.
First Aid Kits. All professional dog walkers must carry first aid kits on hand. This includes CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) and a first aid kit consisting of gauze, needle, tweezers and scissors. If your dog gets injured somehow, you will need this first aid kit to take him or her to a veterinarian.
Walking Signs. You can’t just put up a sign that says “Dog walked today”. As with any business, dogs need to be promoted as well. A professional dog walker will put up signs that say “Dog w/ Owner”, “Dog w/ leash” or “dog friendly zone”.
Patience. This might sound like common sense, but it’s one of the first things many new dog walking businesses fail because owners don’t have patience. Some dogs get nervous when they’re being walked. Others get excited when they’re being walked. But most owners’ patience runs out after only a few visits. If you want success with your business, make sure you have the patience to not only walk the dogs, but also to walk the customers’ dogs.
Patience. Getting your dog from the car to the front of your house is a big task. And that’s not even considering how many other dogs have to go through that door before they come home. When you work with a professional dog walker, you can be sure all your dogs will arrive home in one piece. No dog owner wants their four-legged family member to come home with an injury, so don’t be hesitant about hiring someone who knows what they’re doing.
Patience. Some dog walkers are more patient than others, but it comes down to the personalities of the dogs. When you walk dogs and you know it’s going to take awhile, there’s nothing wrong with giving your animals some space. That way, you can focus on taking care of other important things in your life. It might take a while, but a professional dog walker understands this.
A Professional Dog Walker Has Experience. Your relationship with a dog walker isn’t just about compassion and love. It’s also about their knowledge of dogs. An experienced dog walker knows how dogs process information, and they can let you know which methods work better for certain dogs. A professional dog walker can help you figure out what works best for your particular breed, age, and personality type.
You’re Also Walking Their Best Friend. When you walk your best friend, you both have to be in top form. A good professional dog walker knows that. They walk with precision, and they stay in shape. This way, you’ll both feel healthier, and the walker will get a lot fewer sick days.
There Are Many Benefits to Hiring a Professional Dog Walker to Walk Your Dog. If you need someone to walk your dogs and give them good care, you should consider hiring a professional dog walker. Whether you need their services for a one-time event or if you need regular walks, you should definitely hire one. Most people have busy lives, and they don’t always have the time to find the time to walk their dogs on their own. Hiring someone who walks dogs can ensure you always have someone to walk your dog.