How to start a dog walking business
Season: Year-round · Typical startup: $60 to $120
Dog walking has almost no startup cost and steady weekly income: people who work long days need a midday walk five days a week, every week. Clients on the same few blocks turn into a route you can walk in an afternoon. Here is what you need, what to charge, and how to find your first dogs.
$60 to $120To get started
$5Typical second dog, same home
Year-roundSeason
The gear and what it costs
Spare leashes and waste bagsAlways carry a spare leash and more bags than you think you need.
$30–60
Treats and a small first-aid kitAsk the owner before giving any treat. Allergies are common.
$30–60
A way to keep keys safeA lockbox code or a labeled key ring that never says the address.
$0–50
What established pros charge
| 30-minute walk, average · HomeGuide | $20 |
| Typical range · HomeGuide | $10–$35 |
National figures from published cost guides, checked November 8, 2026. Local prices vary.
Starting rates for a new business
| 30-minute walk | $20 |
| Second dog, same home | $5 |
| Drop-in visit (feed, let out) | $18 |
| Overnight pet sitting | $50+ |
Our suggested starting point for a new business. Price per walk, and sell weekly plans (5 walks a week) to fill your days. Compare with the pro figures above, and raise your rates once you have reviews and a full week.
How to find your first customers
- Start with neighbors and family friends who work long hours. One happy client tells the next.
- Post in your town and apartment-building groups: "Midday walks on [street]. Free meet and greet."
- Always do a free meet and greet first. Owners hire the walker their dog likes.
- Send a photo and a one-line update after every walk. That is what keeps clients for years.
Rules to check before you start
- Follow your town's leash law and always pick up after the dog. Many towns fine both.
- Keep each client's vet number and emergency contact on your phone before the first walk.
- Some cities and counties require a business license, even for a small service business. Check your city or county website before you take payment.
- Once you make $400 or more in profit in a year, you owe self-employment tax and need to file a return (IRS). Keep every receipt for gas and gear.
- Card payouts need a Stripe account. Stripe requires the account holder to be 18 or older for this kind of account, so a parent or guardian sets it up if you are under 18 (Stripe). Cash works from day one. Venmo, Zelle and Cash App need your own account, and under-18s need a parent to set one up.
Stay busy all year
Add drop-in visits and weekend pet sitting for the same clients, especially around holidays.
Build your dog walking plan free
Answer a few questions and get your gear list, prices, local demand and a booking page. You only pay $5 to unlock it.
Build my plan →
Questions
How much do dog walkers charge?
HomeGuide reports an average of $20 for a 30-minute walk, with most walkers charging between $10 and $35.
How many dogs can I walk at once?
Start with one dog at a time. Some cities cap how many dogs one person can walk at once, and one at a time is much safer while you learn each dog.
Do I need insurance to walk dogs?
Not to start, but pet-care insurance is worth looking at once you have regular clients or hold keys to homes.
Can a teenager start a dog walking business?
Yes. It is one of the most common first businesses. Walk one dog at a time at first, and do a meet and greet with an adult before taking on a new dog. On Launchpad, 13 to 17 year olds sign up with a parent or guardian's agreement.
Sources
Checked November 8, 2026.
Other trades