Traveling With Your Dog

Starting a dog sitting business encompasses many facets including experience with dogs and their breeds, the ability to walk one or more dogs at a time, abiding by the laws of your particular state, taking care of the dog at his home if requested, and providing any and all care.

If you are a dog owner, you can certainly understand the responsibility in caring for your pet. Walking, feeding, grooming, and recognizing if a dog is ill or has special needs is also part and parcel of a dog sitting business.

There are millions of dogs in this country and there is a particular need for caring individuals who will look after and adopt those who have been left alone by their owners. Therefore, not only is starting a dog sitting business important but carries a great deal of responsibility for you as the owner.

There are many questions you have to ask when considering this type of business. For example, can you provide dog sitting in your home; what hours will you be in operation during the day; are you willing to baby-sit dogs in their home; will you offer other services to the dog owner; do you have the funds needed to initially start your business with supplies and preferred food.

It is estimated that dog sitting businesses have earned as much as $5,000 per month. This, of course, depends on the number of dogs taken care of on a typical day, and how much you charge for your services.

Most dog sitting businesses in large cities are especially profitable since there is at least one dog per household. In some cities, there may be more than one.

How much you make as a dog sitting business depends largely on the number of visits each day. Let’s assume you charge $15.00 per visit. Depending upon how many visits you make per day can add up quickly. So too, how much time will be spent dog sitting is a factor as well.

It has been estimated that the number of dog sitting visits are in the millions, which gives you an idea of just how lucrative a business this can be.

In order to set up a profitable business, you have to research the entire field of dog sitting. What is required, how much should you charge, do you need special training?

According to research, most dog sitting businesses extend their services to other areas including house sitting, taking care of the back yard, and a few household duties as well. You have to decide what your dog sitting business will involve and to what extent.

Of course, proper planning is essential and you may have to learn the legalities of dog sitting as well. You can contact the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters to determine if you need to be insured and/or bonded as a dog sitting business.

As with any business venture, a website will be required that is informative, attractive and has a catchy name. You can give dog gifts or dog lover gifts in a gift basket sampler to obtain clients.

Ads in the local newspaper as well as online marketing will also add to your presence online. Word of mouth will be especially important. Enlisting the aid of family and friends to hand out business cards to all dog owners they know can be a great marketing tool. Belonging to an association of pet owners will help you as well.

More importantly, the first step in any good dog sitting business is to research dog sitting services online to give you an idea of what it entails. It will also help you to determine what rate you should charge and what additional services you are willing to offer.

Fran Gratton

Fran Gratton RubMyBellyToo.com POB 107 116 Gay Street Phoenixville, PA 19460 610-933-5810 888-558-3837

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phillipians 4:13