Not Everyone Can Be a Dog Walker

Jonathan Bolton Not Everyone Can Be a Dog Walker, Pet Sitter, or Boarder At times many dog owners think that they can be a professional dog walker or pet sitter. Yet, although we at Metro Paws promote the healthy growth of the pet industry, we understand that being a dog walker or pet sitter takes real commitment, patience, and training. Being a dog walker or pet sitter means making a strong effort to create trust between yourself and both your human and canine clients. Knowledge and research about various dog breeds and how to deal with different dog temperaments from puppies to older dogs is necessary to be a responsible, dependable dog sitter, walker, or boarder. Below are some steps that can help you start your path to becoming a dog care provider. Dog walkers, sitters, boarders, and any other dog professional is a job and is a profession it must be treated as such. Get Educated Although each dog is different dogs have similar underlying temperaments based upon their breeds. It is recommended that new dog professionals research dog behavior and the associated ailments associated with each dog group before taking on clients. Being a dog professional means being able to manage one’s business. The Metro Paws family will constantly work to provide the best tools to manage the financial and time management obstacles facing dog service providers in metropolitan areas, yet before jumping into the deep end, we suggest mentoring with current dog service professionals before starting a dog service business, this will allow you to learn the ropes easier. Still Interested? Our Metro Paws forums are a perfect jumping off point to learn from seasoned professionals about the real day to day world of dog service providers, and after a little swim in the pool of knowledge about the truth about certifications, insurance, dog rules, and other dogs, you should be ready for your new career in no time. Love Dogs In order to work with dogs, you need to love them. This might sound obvious but dogs are more than animals, they are people’s children and if your love for dogs isn’t genuine, then your efforts will fall short. Both the dogs and the dog owners will be able to know what really motivates you, love or money. Be Clear & Consistent Whether it is telling a dog to “sit” or negotiating with a client about an invoice, having a dog business will only be effective if your message is simple, clear, and consistent with everything you do. By creating a consistent pattern with your clients, whether human or canine, will know what to expect from you and your dog services. Listen & Observe Both dogs and humans alike say a great deal with their actions, and a good dog service provider can only learn, grow, and adapt if they listen and watch what is happening around them, we have learned a lot from our dogs and know you can do the same. In the end these interactions only further strengthens the bond between you and your canine friends. Share The dog community is a small one. As you learn and grow your dog business share your experiences and the lessons you learned. Sharing will allow others to learn from you, making our community stronger and better informed. As time progresses others within the pet industry will have you need you to cover for them when they are out of town or too busy, by being friendly and sharing with other dog professionals will help you grow your business. Get a Paypal Account. Although cash is king, Paypal allows for your customers to pay by credit card or bank transfer easily, seamlessly, and securely. Paypal also helps you keep track of your receivables, and your outstanding balances. We at metropaws.com encourage our members to use Paypal because it allows our users to protect both themselves and their cleints from fraud. Say “Thank You” Dog walkers, pet sitters, and boarders have the privilege to look after someone else’s child for a portion of time, and that time and trust is a privilege. In response a “thank you” is in order, no exceptions.
over 1 year ago