How Much Money Do Professional Dog Walkers Make?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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At a dog park, two professional walkers in California’s Bay Area told us that they can make

$30,000 to $80,000 in a year

. If a Wag walker were able to do five consecutive 30-minute walks, five days a week, making $17.50 per walk like Wag’s CEO estimated, they would earn about $22,000 annually.

Can you make money being a dog walker?


If you have personal or professional experience caring for animals, you can easily make money as a dog walker or sitter

. Rover and Wag, two popular pet-sitting and dog-walking apps, can quickly connect you to paying gigs.

Why are dog walkers so expensive?


The number of dogs that need walking can affect the overall cost for services

. Many dog walkers charge more with each dog, but not double the base rate. Walking more than one dog requires more handling skills and more work for the dog care pro, and will therefore cost more.

How much do dog walkers charge in my area?

Dog walkers charge an average of

$20 per 30-minute walk with prices ranging between $10 and $35

. Hourly rates typically cost $30 to $60 depending on your location, but overall you’ll pay $0.50 to $1 per minute to have your dog(s) walked, no matter how long the walk is.

Do dog walkers need to be licensed?


A dog walking business isn’t likely to need a federal license to operate, but some businesses, including fishing and agriculture, do require a federal license to operate

. You’re also required to get a federal and state tax ID number. You may see this number referred to as an EIN or employer identification number.

How do I become a successful dog walker?

  1. Understand the meet and greet. …
  2. Utilize local dog parks. …
  3. Keep your cash flow as simple as possible. …
  4. Get to know each pet and their owners. …
  5. Always make safety your top priority. …
  6. Use a short leash. …
  7. Don’t rush it. …
  8. Reward good behavior.

How much do dog walkers make NYC?

The average salary for a dog walker is

$18.44 per hour

in New York, NY.

How Long Can dogs hold their pee?

Adult dogs can hold their pee for up to

10-12 hours

if needed, but that doesn’t mean that they should. The average adult dog should be allowed to relieve itself at least 3-5 times per day. That’s at least once every 8 hours.

How much is a walker?

How much does a walker cost? The prices for standard walkers

start around $35 and can go up to around $100

. Folding walkers tend to cost more. Prices for two-wheel walkers start from about $50 and can go up to about $160 depending on the model.

How much do dog walkers make in Florida?

The average salary for a dog walker is

$15.21 per hour

in Florida.

How much do dog walkers get paid in Los Angeles?

The average salary for a dog walker is

$10.02 per hour

in Los Angeles, CA.

How much do dog walkers charge per hour UK?

Dog walkers can charge

around £10 and £20 an hour

, depending on location and demand. According to research by The Telegraph in 2015 dog walkers can earn 20% more than the average UK salary, and more in London.

How much does dog walking cost in California?

Length Average Cost Per hour

$30 – $60
Per walk $10 – $35 Per month $280 – $360

Do dog walkers need insurance?

Do I need dog walker insurance?

Insurance for dog walkers isn’t a legal requirement unless you employ someone

. But without at least public liability insurance you could find yourself in financial trouble if something goes wrong in connection with your dog-walking business.

How much money does a dog walker make per hour?

P rofessional dog walkers in London can earn more than £10,000 more than the UK average salary, according to a study. Research shows dog walkers in London and the South East charge up to

£14 per hour per dog

, adding up to roughly £32,256 per year, if they walk 192 dogs for an hour each month.

How many dogs can I walk at once?

It is recommended that

no more than four dogs

are walked at any one time. ALL dogs under a dog walker’s care should be reliably under control at all times and transported in accordance with the guidance in this document. Dog walkers should ensure they have a lead for each dog.

Is dog walking a good business?


Dog walking is undoubtedly a viable business venture to consider if you’re passionate about dogs

. Not only is the demand for dog walking high, but the business also has a relatively low barrier to entry and is highly profitable.

What are some risks of a dog walking business?

A dog walking business presents special risks because you are dealing with live animals and engaged in physical activity.

Dogs may be injured or even killed, and you or someone else could be injured as well

. Insurance does exist specifically for businesses that deal with caring for pets.

What skills do you need to be a dog walker?

You will need

strong interpersonal and communication skills, and be willing to work outdoors regardless of the weather

. In addition to this, an affinity with, and understanding of dogs is essential. It is important to be patient; it can take a while to build up a good client base.

Do you need a license to be a dog walker in NYC?

I would venture to say that

most dog walkers in NYC do not have a business license to operate in the city

. While there is no special “dog walking permit”, operating a business in the city does usually require a permit or license to do so.

How much is a dog walker in Manhattan?

15 min 60 min
Group walks


$10


$25
Private walks $14 $29

What is a livable salary in NYC?

Recommended Salary in New York City

To live comfortably, a resident would need to earn at least

$12,489 monthly before taxes

. That’s pretty steep. If you chose to live in the more affordable Bronx borough, you’d need to earn three times the $2,312 monthly rent rate before taxes, which amounts to $6,936.

Can I leave my dog alone for 3 days?

Leaving Your Dog for Three Days


Preparing to leave your pup during a three-day trip won’t be too different from leaving for a day or two

. You’ll find it easiest to recruit someone to stop in a couple times a day to check on food, water, offer plenty of love and provide potty breaks.

How often should a dog be walked?

As a general rule, you should walk your dog

3 – 4 times per day

for at least 15 minutes. But this can vary according to your dog’s: breed. age, size and health conditions.

How many times do dogs poop a day?

In general, a dog should move their bowels

at least once a day

. Many will go two or three times a day on the regular, but if you’re wondering how often do puppies poop, it’s closer to five times a day. But if your dog is pooping more than that, don’t panic!

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.