I am considering setting up a SMALL dog walking business.
I'm just wondering how easy this is likely to be and if anyone else has experience of doing this?
I don't want a big business - just a few hours a week doing something I enjoy. My children are all at school now and I have some spare time each day. I have a few family members who would be willing to help out if needed on a casual basis. I have looked into public liability insurance and will be getting some quotes over the next few days. I'm not sure about the practicalities of transporting dogs in my car so will probably only offer walks from the clients home address. I've looked into doing a first aid for dogs course but the next one isn't for a few months yet.
Do you think I could take my dog with me whilst walking a clients dog?

Is this a good way of earning a few quid or is there more to it than I've thought of?
Any advice welcome

> Do you think I could take my dog with me whilst walking a clients dog?
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It really depends on the dog & the client.  If someone has paid you for an individual walk it usually means the dog mayhave issues with other dogs so, no, you'd have to walk that dog on its own.   Group walks are much more fun but you have to be confident that the group you walk all get on well and that you would feel totally in control of them all the time.   Today I had  8 dogs out together, it's not for the faint hearted.

Hi Christine,

8 dogs! That is brave!
I don't think I'd be confident enough to walk 8 dogs at once - not just yet anyway!

Do you transport the dogs you walk in your car? Are there any special rules regarding this? I have a Vauxhall Zafira which has plenty of room in the back when the back seats are down. I have a dog guard separating the back from the rest of the car. Could I safely transport more than one dog at a time this way?

Thanks for your help

I use a dog sitter/walker, she's great, and will even come short notice (like when I had to dash over to Chester with Leah, she came and sat with the others as hubby was at work)

she has a few clients in the village where I live, as well as nearby, and although I work shifts and only tend to need her when both me and hubby at work a same time, she still manages to fit me in, I assume her other clients are more flexible.....she doesn't need to take mine on the street, they are quite heppy to wander round the garden with her, it's more the company, I ask her to stay for at least an hour, have a cuppa, put the telly on, and let the dogs chill out for a bit - they behave very well for her too, and she always brings a treat

I don't know how much she earns in total, but like you say, it's flexible, and as long as you can get out to your clients you should be fine   

Thank you for your post Dearlady
I hope I get a client who asks me to put the kettle on and play with the dogs...that's my idea of a perfect job
I would hope to be as flexible as possible....and I think I'll make sure I've always got treats too. Excellent tip, thank you.