some of you know I started a canine walking company in 2008, but is it a good idea for you to do the same?
Even in four years I’ve noticed a difference in the economy, a difference in the ways people advertise, a difference in the ways people use social media and even a difference in the ways people view their dogs. Is it still a good idea to start a canine walking business?
Credo di si.
2012 or 2013 could be the ideal time for you to start a pet sitting company or canine walking business.
I thought I’d list some ideas to help you decide for yourself.
Reasons to start a canine walking business
Potential to make much more income
People are crazy about their pets, and you can plan on charging at least $25 per hour for walking a single canine – much more if you walk multiple dogs at once. If you really offer the best service in your area, you will have so numerous customers lined up that you will need a waiting list. depending on how numerous appointments you take per day, you can plan on making around $1,000 per week.
The start-up costs are low
People ask me about prices for starting a pet sitting company or canine walking business. It costs very little! All you really need to get started is a good web site and some good walking shoes!
Make a difference for others
The many gratifying part of my company is knowing I make a difference for dogs, cats and their owners. I try to offer the best service possible by keeping in touch with the owners, taking photos of the pets, giving comprehensive updates, leaving treats and handwritten notes and genuinely caring for each pet as though he were my own. canine and cat owners tell me how much they count on me and appreciate me, and this inspires me to work even harder.
Increased quality of life
I am a happier, healthier person than I was prior to quitting my job. I am in the best shape of my life and can complete a marathon with no extra training. I have a focused purpose and enhanced confidence. I live much more consciously by prioritizing my time and making mindful decisions. I am much more aware of tension because I see it in other people. My mornings are much more unwinded because I don’t have to rush off to a job I don’t like. I have much more freedom because I can set my own hours and schedule, and I get to spend much more time with my own dog!
Meno stress
Although owning your own company can be stressful, you have much more control over the situation. If you are too busy, you have the ability to cut back on the number of appointments you schedule. If you are short on money, there are opportunities to take on additional clients. Or, you could offer additional services such as canine training, pet sitting or in-home canine daycare.
When you own a canine walking business, you set your own hours. You could start at 10 a.m. so you have time to help your kids get ready for school. Or, you could start at 6 a.m. so you finish some of your walks before it gets too hot. You could take time off in the afternoons. You could take every weekend off. It’s really up to you!
And we all know that dogs are a big tension reliever themselves! While your friends are locked away in their cubicles, you will be out enjoying nature with your numerous new canine friends!
Sicurezza sul lavoro
When so numerous companies seem to be cutting back on jobs and pay, I feel fortunate to own a business. I am confident people will always need canine walkers and pet sitters. There will always be opportunities for me in this industry. I am thankful I may never need to compete in the job market again – filling out resumes, attending interviews, applying for job after job. No grazie!
A chance for creativity
Most of us have a desire to get creative on some level. owning a canine walking company will give you that opportunity. You get to mold the company so it is unique. There is nothing standard about a canine walking business. Make it your own.
For example, possibly you take groups of dogs off-leash hikes in the mountains. Or maybe you make homemade canine treats. possibly you are the only canine walker who also specializes in helping dogs conquer aggression. maybe you could focus on premium cat boarding or cat photography. maybe you are good at making handmade cards. maybe you have a background in canine grooming. Le possibilità sono infinite.
My awesome canine walking guide can help you
I put together a canine walking starter kit that describes how to start your own canine walking business. The kit includes my ebook on how to start your business, several canine walking company forms and 60 minutes of consulting with me! hundreds of people have already purchased my ebook and numerous have gone on to start their own successful businesses.
Reasons not to start a canine walking business
There are, of course, reasons why starting a canine walking company may not be best for you.
Less income (at least initially)
Although you have the potential to increase your income, you will start out with less. So unless you are already unemployed or about to lose your job anyway, you will temporarily take a pay cut. For some people, this is just too much of a risk.
No health benefits from your employer
Unless you are covered under your partner’s health insurance plan, you will need to find and pay for your own coverage when you start your own business. This is even much more of a concern if your family members are currently dependent on your insurance plan.
A different kind of stress
Although you won’t have to deal with the tension of working in an office, you will experience a different kind of stress.
Most likely, you will worry if you’ve made the best choice. You will worry about what others think. You will worry about making enough money and finding enough customers. You will worry about failure. You will worry about whether or not your customers are happy. You will worry about whether or not you remembered to lock the door after leaving a customer’s home. You will worry about how you are going to file taxes. There is always something to worry about!
The market is too small
It is possible the town you live in is too small to support a canine walking or pet sitting business. Non lo so. You may need to think about servicing a wider area, including surrounding towns. You could offer a variety of services such as canine running, pet sitting, canine daycare, puppy training, etc. Or you could maintain your company on a part-time level. A smaller market does have its challenges.
You don’t have experience with dogs
It takes much more than a canine lover to be a canine walker. You need to have the physical strength, balance and dealing with skills to control untrained, powerful dogs. You need to understand at least the basics of canine behavior to avoid getting bitten. You need to know how to use all the different canine training collars such as prong collars, choke collars, harnesses, gentle Leaders, e-collars and so on. You ought to also have at least some experience with basic obedience training.
You need a reliable vehicle
Unless you live in a densely populated area where you can get around by bike, you will need a reliable car to get you to and from each canine walking appointment. You will many likely drive much more miles per week through canine walking than you did commuting to an office each day. I live in a fairly small town, and I can easily put 200 miles per week on my car, in some cases numerous much more just from driving from appointment to appointment. The gas adds up, as does the wear and tear on the vehicle. This is just something to think about when you are deciding whether or not a canine walking company is best for you.
Are you thinking about starting a canine walking business? What are the reasons?
Make sure to check out my post on how to start a canine walking business.
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