Dog Walker / Pet Sitter

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A career as a Dog Walker / Pet Sitter

Dog Walkers help owners by exercising their pets - they visit the homes of their clients and take their pets for walks when the owner is unavailable due to work commitments or if they are away from home for short periods.

Pet sitting can be offered to clients, where pets are looked after in either at the sitters or in their home while their owner is away rather than be put into boarding.

Both these roles can be a good fit for those who want independent workdays, are self-starters, and love animals.

Skills/Knowledge

You’ll need:

  • experience of dog handling and care about animal welfare

  • physical skills such as mobility and co-ordination, and a good level of fitness

  • excellent communication and customer service skills

  • to be willing to work outdoors regardless of the weather

  • to be organised and set your own schedule, but flexible to customer needs

  • patience when working with new animals

  • to be reliable

Before you start as a dog walker/pet sitter, you should have specialist insurance in place. Some local authorities require commercial dog walkers to register with the council to be permitted to use their greenspaces.

A full DBS or Disclosure Scotland check may be required if the role involves access to client’s homes. Owners may feel more comfortable leaving their animals in your care if you have completed courses in pet first aid or animal care.

You can gain confidence with dogs and develop your training skills through volunteering with animal rescue charities.

Salary

NB These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary depending on the employer and the skills and experience of the employee.

Most Dog Walkers charge between £8 - £12 per hour, per dog – many are able to take several dogs on a walk at once.

£14,000
Typical salaries
range from
£20,000
Typical Hours

You can choose to work either full or part-time – if you are self-employed, you can choose your own hours. Hours will vary depending on how many clients you have and time of year, with the walkers and sitters being in high demand during the summer.

Day to Day

  • Visit the client’s home at the pre-arranged time.

  • Provide exercise for clients' dogs (usually in half-hour or one-hour slots).

  • Pick up and dispose of dog droppings during walks.

  • Check animal’s food and water supplies and clean any litter trays and cages as needed.

  • Notify owners of any injuries and seek veterinary attention if needed

Working Environment

Dog Walkers do most of their work outside and must be prepared to face all weather conditions. They also spend most of their time on their feet. Dog Walkers must be willing to pick up and dispose of dog droppings during walks.

Pet sitting allows you to work either from your own home or from the client’s.

Training Available

Training is an essential part of any job, giving you the skills and knowledge you need to do your job safely and correctly. It also helps to strengthen your current skill set and prepares you for the next stage in your career.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships help you build the experience and skills that employers want to see. No matter what stage you’re at, they’ll help set you up for a bright future. There are lots of ways to get involved.

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