Dog Walker: Job Profile and Role

You absolutely adore animals, especially dogs? And there is nothing in the world you would rather do than spend all day long in the company of our furry friends? If only having to earn money would not come in the way. Well, we actually might have the solution for you – aka your dream job: dog walker. This job not only means you can spend all day in the company of dogs – it also means you earn money doing so. The following blog will tell you exactly how this works. You will discover everything there is to know about the job of a dog walker – including your expected salary, the necessary qualifications and skills and possible employers.

Short Summary

• As a dog walker, you are responsible for the physical and mental exercise of the dogs in your care. This means developing bespoke exercise plans for each individual furry friend.
• As a dog walker, you are responsible for the well-being of your fluffy charges. This means that you should be both proficient in pet first aid and in performing under high pressure/in emergencies.
• As a dog walker, you need to be reliable and on time. One of the reasons for your job is that the dogs’ owners do not have the time to take care of their dogs – therefore, they rely on you to do just that.

Job description

As a dog walker, you take care of walking dogs in lieu of their actual owners. This is only one part of your job description. As a dog walker, you are also responsible for the physical and mental well-being of the dogs in your care. This includes an appropriate amount of exercise, games and walking. Being a dog walker can also include grooming, and it certainly includes feeding and watering the dog and cleaning up after him.

Responsibilities

• Exercise and mental activity
• Clean-Up/Waste Disposal
• Punctuality and Reliability
• Behaviour Management
• Safety and Supervision
• Animal Understanding
• Feeding and Watering
• Communication
• Pet First Aid
• Safety

Different types of Dog Walkers

• Trail or Hiking Dog Walkers
• On-Demand Dog Walkers
• Specialised Dog Walkers
• Individual Dog Walkers
• Group Dog Walkers

Salary

The UK salary for dog walkers ranges from £21,500 to £37,600 annually. These numbers refer to the level of experience as a dog walker. Starting at entry-level positions, your annual salary will be around £21,500. Typically, the most experienced dog walkers will be paid higher wages, resulting in annual salaries up to £37,600.

Work experience is only one influencing factor when it comes to a dog walker’s salary. It can also be influenced by your employer, your work location and your employment type. If you start your own dog-walking enterprise, you will likely have the strongest influence on your salary since you can decide on the appropriate rates.

Working hours

Being a dog walker is closely entwined with very flexible and variable working hours. These depend on the number of two- and four-legged clients and the length of your individual dog walking sessions. The usual session times are either 30 minutes or one hour.

If you decide to become a dog walker, you should also keep in mind that weekend work will be part of your job. Granted, spending time with your favourite pets is hardly a chore. But it will nevertheless have an impact on your work-life balance and your personal relationships.

You should also keep in mind that being a dog walker involves a certain amount of preparation, professional development, client communication and admin. These factors qualify as additional working time and will increase your weekly working hours as a dog walker.

One more important tip: your working day usually starts between 6 and 7 a.m., sometimes even earlier. Dogs are early birds, which means that you should be, too, regardless if it is raining cats and dogs or not.

Employers

Typically, a dog walker is employed by dog walking services. These can be found in lots of locations/cities. Alternatively, dog walkers can find employment at animal shelters, pet stores and veterinary clinics. You can find these employments through various channels, including word of mouth, flyers and ads and special pet walking apps for mobile devices.

Qualifications

Becoming a dog walker requires non-academic qualifications. You should have an in-depth knowledge of dogs, their dietary requirements and their exercise needs. Here, you can profit from doing volunteer work at an animal shelter or a vet. Both institutions can give you valuable insights and knowledge in how to take care of dogs, including how to deal with emergencies and legal conflicts.

Dog-related qualifications aside, you should have qualifications in communications, business and accountancy. All three things are integral parts of being a dog walker – especially when you are thinking of starting your own business.

Skills

Your professional qualifications to become a dog walker are one set of skills necessary for this exciting job. Your hard skills are a brilliant start – but they are only half the deal if they are not accompanied by a matching set of soft skills. So, let’s find out with personal strengths and characteristics turn you from a good into a brilliant dog walker every dog will absolutely love:

Sensibility and empathy

As a dog lover, you will know that dogs are very sensitive creatures. They know at once if something is afoot or if everything is alright. What does that mean for you as a dog walker? It means that you should be equally sensible and that you should have a high level of empathy. This way, you will not only understand the fluff balls in your care. It will also help you read them in times of need and stress.

Resilience to pressure

Dog walking and high pressure? Yes, for example, when the dog in your care has eaten something he should not have or when said dog has gotten into a fight with another dog. Both scenarios have several consequences and one common denominator, this being that you will have to stay calm and resilient to the pressure. This will help you to navigate the consequences, ranging from discussions with other dog owners to taking the dog to the vet and making sure that he is being looked after properly.

Reliability

Reliability is another important soft skill for a dog walker. It refers to both your human and your furry clients. Both parties rely on you to be on time and to be there for them. If this is a skill that might need improving, we recommend working on your time management skills. We are sure you will master this essential dog-walking skill in no time at all.

Career Path

If dog walking is your chosen profession, you should go the next step on your career path by getting the relevant qualifications. Here, volunteering at an animal shelter or a veterinary clinic can help. After that, you can apply as a dog walker with several dog walking companies. The more work experience you have, the more likely it is that you will advance to a position with more responsibilities and more clients. Maybe one day, you will be head of this dog walking company. Or you might want to start your own dog-walking agency.

Educational Background

To become a dog walker, you do not need an academic education or an appropriate apprenticeship. Dog walking is a job that requires no special education. It does, however, require certain qualifications and educational training, including pet first aid (CPR certificate), communication and admin skills and legal knowledge.

Gaining Experience

If you have a dog, you already have valuable experience when it comes to dog walking. That does not mean that you should stop gaining experience. On the contrary – gaining experience is another vital part of your job description as a dog walker. You can achieve this by attending workshops or doing additional online training in dog-related fields.

Continuous Learning

Over the last few years, pretty much every aspect of a dog’s behaviour, the dietary needs and their consequences on a dog’s health has been analysed and re-evaluated. This means that you will have to stay on top of the game by continuous learning. How else can you ensure that you know everything that there is to know about dogs and how to give them the best possible care?

The Benefits of the Job as a Dog Walker

Did you know that dog-walking not only benefits the four-legged fluff balls in your care? Recent studies have found that dog-walking also has advantages for dog walkers. For instance, dog walking reduces stress levels and enhances physical fitness. So, if you not only love dogs but are also looking for a fun way to stay mentally and physically in shape, the job of a dog walker might well be the perfect fit for you.

A Day in the Life of a Dog Walker

If you already own a dog or several, you know exactly what a typical day in the life of a dog parent looks like. And lots of those things are also part of a dog walker’s working day – including cleaning up and making sure that the fluff ball is being fed, watered, exercised and cuddled. Let’s have a look at what other things define a day in the life of a dog walker.

Prepare for the Weather

Being properly dressed for all weathers is an important part of a dog walker’s day. This also applies to the dogs you are looking after but does not necessarily include a dress code for dogs. However, you should make sure that you have packed all a dog might need, starting from paw protection in the winter or having a dog raincoat in downpours and ending with sunscreen and plenty of fluids in high temperatures.

Safety Checks

After you have packed all you need for the day ahead, you need to do your safety check. This includes checking that every dog has a secure leash and harness as well as that you are equipped with plenty of waste bags, water and emergency kits. This way, you can avoid accidents and adhere to common dog-walking guidelines.

Establish an Exercise Plan

Before setting off for your walk, you need to develop an appropriate exercise plan for each individual dog. This way, you make sure that every fluff ball gets the mental and physical stimulation and exercise it needs, thus avoiding either boredom and conflicts or overexertion and possible trips to the vet.

Tips for Thriving as a Dog Walker

Being a dog whisperer with the necessary qualifications is one part of what makes you an already brilliant dog walker. Interested in finding out how you can be the most brilliant of dog walkers? All you have to do is continue reading – and implement the following three tips for thriving as a dog walker:

• Qualifications in pet first aid
• Experience as a dog trainer
• Working with professional institutions

Qualified in Pet First Aid

There is absolutely not a single dog person in the world who has not been faced with at least one medical emergency (if there is, then you are one lucky person!). Needless to say, pet first aid is something that every dog owner and dog walker should have mastered. As a dog walker, you can do one better than that. You can get a pet first aid qualification, a so-called CPR certification. This is a sure way to thrive as a dog walker.

Experience as a Dog Trainer

Every dog needs individual training and education to be a well-behaved dog that follows orders. As a dog walker, you should be familiar with the most common orders and commands. If you want to thrive as a dog walker, you can go the extra mile by becoming a certified dog trainer. This way, you have all the knowledge necessary to deal with every dog breed there is – including their specific breed characteristics and temperaments.

Working with Professional Institutions

Let’s say you have started as a “solo” dog walker, meaning you do not work for a dog walking company. In this case, networking is a vital part of your job since you will never get your business off the ground if you do not have the relevant (business) contacts. Networking can work in various ways. One way is to get in touch and work with professional institutions. These can range from dog walking companies to animal charities and veterinary clinics. All three options can help you to put your business out there. They are therefore our third valuable tip for thriving as a dog walker.

Frequently Asked Questions