Dog walking comes in many shapes and sizes. In most areas dog walkers take one dog or a small group of compatible canines on leashed outings, either in their own neighborhoods or after driving to a trailhead or park. But there are some …
Remember how your mom always gave you the lemming talk when you wanted to do something because all the other kids were doing it? You remember it. She’d say, “So what then? If all the other kids were jumping off a cliff, does that mean you …
Your dog business is doing well. You have more work than you can handle and it’s time to think about the next step. Congratulations! You’ve probably got some questions: Do I hire an employee or an Independent Contractor? What’s the cost …
Woo hoo and congrats! You’ve got a new dog walking client! If you’re walking singles, adding a new dog is usually a relatively simple procedure. If the new dog is particularly shy, you may wish to take extra steps, such as arranging a …
We know that reinforcing dog behavior we like is key to seeing more of it. Unfortunately, simply ignoring behavior we don’t care for isn’t always enough to make it go away, particularly when the target behavior is self-reinforcing. A dog …
Have you taken a vacation recently? Do you have one planned? If you answered yes to either question, woo-hoo! (If you answered yes to both, double high five!) If you said no, this article is for you. I’m concerned about the number of dog …
Running a small business is hard work, even when you get to spend many of your business hours outdoors with cheerful canine companions. Given that it’s that part of the job—the dog part—that you’re probably in this for, you want to make …
As dog walkers we don’t train to change dogs’ behavior for their owners. That’s a trainer’s job. We train for canine safety and to make the job easier and more enjoyable for ourselves. Training means an easier time getting past distractions …
By guest author Marie Poliseno, CPA, of Dollars & Scents Accounting Services. Don’t have the money to pay your taxes this year, for whatever reason? Maybe you’ve just started your new dog walking business and are struggling with cash …
Few things are more frustrating, and potentially frightening, than a dog who doesn’t come when called. And as all but those of us with the thickest skin have experienced, it can also be a bit embarrassing. You call. Heads turn. The dog runs …
We’ve been hearing a lot of concerns about the continued growth of online on-demand dog walking services among our Dog Walking Academy graduates and business consulting clients. These concerns include worries about the physical safety and …
Adapted from The Business of Dog Walking: How To Make a Living Doing What You Love, written by Veronica Boutelle of dogbiz and published by Dogwise. Sometimes size does matter. While it’s always charming to see a Great Dane and a …
As a dog pro CPA, dog walkers often ask me what types of business expenses are deductible on their tax returns. Vehicle-related tax deductions seem to cause the most concern and confusion. Common questions include “I use my car for both …
Excerpted and adapted from The Business of Dog Walking: How To Make a Living Doing What You Love Driving is stressful enough these days as it is. Add a dog—or a small group of them—and it’s no surprise that the transportation portion of …
This article is an edited excerpt from The Business of Dog Walking: How To Make a Living Doing What You Love by Veronica Boutelle Whether you’re walking single dogs or groups, on or off leash, how you manage your charges matters. Walk …
Despite all of mankind’s advancements we’ve still not found a way to add hours to the day, be two places at once, or stop time to get a few more things done. Most small business owners long for these breakthroughs. But as they don’t appear …
Taking care of other people’s best friends means living with the chilling prospect of emergencies. Dog walking emergencies can come in all shapes and sizes, from a vehicle break down to a sprained ankle to potentially traumatic accidents. …
Honest-to-goodness dog fights that result in real damage are remarkably infrequent. This is mostly due to the ritualized body language dogs use to avoid conflict. Conflict is expensive, evolutionarily speaking. Why waste precious energy …
By guest author Pat Miller, owner of Peaceable Paws and author of Beware Of The Dog and The Power of Positive Training Why Every Mention of "Alpha Dogs" or "Dominant Dogs" is Dangerous to All Dogs The alpha myth is everywhere. Google …
In the natural world spring is a time of renewal, of fresh starts, of green growth. Just as mother nature makes a new start of things each year, it’s good business practice to do the same. We encourage our dogbiz business consulting clients …
Running a dog walking business without proper marketing is like running an engine without oil. But running a car with the wrong kind of oil will get you into trouble, too, just as there’s no point spending time and money on marketing that …
By Alexis Davison, Australia Dog Walking Academy Instructor and owner of Scholars in Collars Walking dogs, whether our own or our clients’, is one of the great pleasures in life. It’s such a joy to spend time with them doing things they …
Think of a three-legged stool. It stands—and supports your weight—only because each leg has been built to do its part; it’s perfectly balanced. Remove, or even shorten, just one leg and the stool topples. Like the stool, a balanced …
By Pat Blocker, Denver, CO Dog Walking Academy Instructor and Owner of Peaceful Paws Dog Training Imagine a parallel universe where dogs are as compelled to respond to their person as humans are to instantly answer our cell …
By Erin Moore, Vancouver BC Canada Dog Walking Academy Instructor and Owner of Pawsitive Connection Dog Training Boone sneezes on cue. It's adorable. It's funny. It's fun. It's mostly useless, but it's an amazing party trick. People are …
