How to Start a Dog Walking Business in the UK

There are more than 13 million pet dogs in the UK in 2025, where roughly 33% of UK households own at least one dog. Naturally, this means there’s a vast demand for dog walking services, especially in areas occupied by busy professionals. 

Starting a dog walking business can be extremely rewarding, yet it’s associated with low start-up costs, flexible hours, and personal fulfilment.

In the following sections, we’ll show you how to start a dog walking business in the UK following a step-by-step process. 

Step 1: Conduct Market Research

Starting a dog walking venture always begins with market research. This initial stage is essential as it will help shape your services, presentation, pricing, and more. 

Understand Your Target Market

First, identify who your potential clients are and find out as much as you can about their habits, spending potential, and interests.

In most cases, the ideal consumers for dog walking services include:

• Busy professionals; 
• Elderly pet owners; 
• Families with children;
• People who often travel. 

Think about where these individuals spend time, what types of online channels they use, how much they earn, and how you can win their trust. Research what types of dog breeds are popular in your area.

All this information will help you reach the right audience and advertise your services successfully.

Analyse Competitors

Next, spend some time analysing other dog walkers in your area. Looking into established dog walking businesses can help you determine best practices or, even better, spot weak areas that you can improve with your services. 

When examining the competition, we highly recommend focusing on the following elements:

• Pricing – Find out what other dog walking businesses charge. According to studies, professional dog walkers in London earn an average of more than £12 an hour. However, this price can vary based on location, experience, and other factors.
  
• Services – Are your competitors offering solely dog walking, or do they have an extensive range of services they provide?
  
• Size – Research how big your competitors are. Are the majority working with a few dog walkers, or do they have large teams?
  
• Marketing and advertising – How are your competitors reaching customers, and how are they positioning themselves on the market?

This part of the process aims to expose areas that are underserved by other dog walkers and show you what’s already working in the niche. 

Define Your Services

As you can probably imagine, a dog walking business can offer multiple services. 

Some of the most popular ones in the UK include:

• Dog walking – Offers dogs regular walks for exercise and stimulation, which can be carried out either via individual walks or in small group walks.
  
• Doggy day care – A service where dogs spend the day in supervised play and care, perfect for owners who work and want their pets to stay active and social.
  
• Pop-in services – Includes brief home visits to feed, check on, and spend time with pets.
  
• Home dog boarding – Offers overnight pet care in your home, giving animals a comfortable, home-like alternative to kennel clubs.
  
• Pet taxi service – Provides pet transport to vets, groomers, or other destinations when owners can’t take them.
  
• House sitting – House sitting or dog sitting means staying in a client’s home to care for pets, plants, and property, giving owners peace of mind while they’re away.

Of course, there are many other additional pet care services you can consider.

Before you choose the services that you’ll be adding to your portfolio, make sure you’re familiar with what they’ll require, how much you can charge, and what the demand is. 

Step 2: Register Your Business

To start your new business, you’ll need to go through the official business registration process.

In the UK, you can register your dog walking business with HMRC as a sole trader, company, or partnership. Each of these business structure types has its own responsibilities and specifics. 

For example, if you’re operating as a sole trader, you’ll be personally responsible for your business debts. In contrast, a limited company is considered a separate business entity, meaning that the individual is protected from any debts, shielding their personal assets.

Research your options and choose the alternative that best fits your needs and goals. Before registering, make sure you’ve selected a business name that’s currently available and not used by another business. In addition, don’t forget to open a separate business bank account, which will allow you to keep your personal and business finances separate. 

Step 3: Develop a Business Plan

The third step to starting a dog walking company in the UK is creating a dog walking business plan. 

Having a solid business plan is crucial for making informed decisions, tracking growth over time, and meeting short- and long-term objectives. Not to mention that this document is a powerful asset if you’re planning to attract investors who can support your business growth. 

Your business plan should include:

• Executive summary – A short overview of your dog walking business – who you are, what services you offer, and your goals.
  
• Business description – Explain your business idea, covering the type of dog walking services you’ll be providing, your mission, and target market.
  
• Market analysis – Outline findings from your market research and include things like how many pet owners are in your area, what the demand for your services is, who your competitors are, and what opportunities you can exploit.
  
• Services – A detailed overview of every service you’ll be providing, like one-to-one walks, group walks, pet sitting, dog transport, and others.
  
• Marketing strategy – Define how you’ll discover and attract clients and list all of the marketing channels you plan to explore.
  
• Operations plan – A section dedicated to how your business will run day-to-day, describing any booking systems, daily schedules, equipment, health and safety procedures, and others.
• Financial projections – Include information on your startup costs, expected monthly expenses, pricing strategy, and revenue forecasts. 

Remember, the business plan isn’t simply a document that you should write and forget about. It should serve as a roadmap for building and growing your dog walking company. 

Step 4: Meet Legal Requirements and Safety Regulations

Perhaps one of the most important steps to starting a dog walking business is remaining on the right side of the law. 

Just like with any other business, there are some strict legal requirements and safety regulations that you must abide by to avoid legal conflicts. 

Licensing and Tax Compliance

The good news is that there are no specific licensing requirements for opening a dog walking business in the UK (apart from obtaining a business licence). However, there could be exceptions. 

For example, if you provide home boarding or doggy day-care services, you’ll be obliged to obtain a licence from your local authority. Similar rules may apply in case you’re walking more dogs (we’ll explain more about this later on in the article). 

Keep in mind that some local authorities may require that dog walkers be licensed, so it’s always a good idea to double-check before taking any steps. 

Obtain Insurance

Another requirement that you should be prepared for is insurance. 

When opening a dog walking business, many owners underestimate the importance of pet business insurance. Unfortunately, this is a common reason for business disruptions, unexpected expenses, and oftentimes, legal disputes.

The must-have insurance you’ll need for this type of venture includes:

• Public liability insurance
• Animal accidents and injury insurance
• Loss of animal cover 

Research your options and ensure you’re getting the right dog walking insurance. This can help you stay protected in case of potential hazards. 

Check Local and Government Laws and Regulations  

Another important aspect of running your dog walking business in the UK is being informed about the local and government laws and regulations.

Offering dog walking services is a unique service and, most importantly, one that carries a lot of responsibilities. There are multiple laws and regulations that must be met by dog walkers in the UK, and we’ll cover them in more detail in the upcoming sections. 

As you prepare to turn your dog walking business into a dream come true, check with local councils about licensing and permits. 

Disclosure Checks

Undergoing a Basic Disclosure Check is highly recommendable when starting a dog walking business, especially if you will be in possession of pet owners’ property keys. This will help reassure clients of your reliability and will help you win trust. Moreover, this type of disclosure check is a requirement for most insurance firms.

As a dog walker or a dog walking business, you can apply for a DBS check on your own, without needing a third party to handle the process. The application can be completed quickly through the official online DBS system. 

This is especially useful for self-employed dog walkers who are just starting out, as it simplifies the setup process and adds an extra level of trust and protection – acting as a form of dog walking insurance for their services.

In the UK, you can obtain a Basic Disclosure check for around £25.

Step 5: Set Up Your Business Operations

Next, it’s time to prepare for your dog walking operations. Here, you’ll need to think about things like equipment, schedules, and payment solutions.

Purchase Essential Equipment

Performing an exceptional service starts with acquiring the right equipment. Dog handling at first doesn’t seem like a demanding activity, but you do need a few core products to walk dogs and perform related services. 

Depending on your specific offering, you may need the following:

• Leashes
• Harnesses
• Poop bags
• Treats
• First aid kits
• Water bottles for dogs
• Ball and chasing toys
• Clip-on lights
• Comfortable and durable walking shoes
• Towels for drying off wet dogs 
• A vehicle for transportation

Of course, your list of must-have equipment will depend entirely on your services, the types of dogs you’ll be working with, and other factors. Research multiple options and check prices with distribution partners to secure the best deals, reducing your costs.

Create a Schedule

Oftentimes, creating a schedule is considered a bonus. However, in a dog walking business, it’s an absolutely crucial part of staying organised and on track, especially if you’ll be walking more than one dog. 

Plan your walking routes and timings to make sure you can successfully handle multiple clients. Consider the logistics of walking multiple dogs and make sure you’re aware of any group size limits in your area. 

Establish Payment Systems

Let’s not forget about collecting payments from clients and ensuring a steady cash flow. 

When setting up payments for a dog walking business, it’s key to make the process simple, secure, and convenient for both you and your customers. Oftentimes, pet owners prefer quick, contactless options like tap to pay, so offering multiple payment methods can make your service more appealing. 

When it comes to payments, consider the following:

• Offering flexibility – Accept multiple payment types like cash, bank transfers, card payments, and digital wallets to make it easier for customers to pay.
  
• Keep records – Use digital invoices or receipts for each payment to stay organised and make tax filing quick and easy.
  
• Set clear payment terms – Make sure your customers know when they should pay and communicate your cancellation or late payment policies upfront.
  
• Make security a top priority – Rely on trusted payment platforms that offer protection for both you and your clients.
  
• Choose a reputable payments provider – Partner with an established payments provider like myPOS to build trust in your customers and guarantee security, speed, and flexibility. 

Don’t make any compromises when it comes to payment systems, as poor decisions in this area can cause severe harm to your operations and reputation. 

Step 6: Market Your Dog Walking Business

The sixth phase of opening a dog walking business is marketing your services and making your brand name stand out from the crowd.

Making your new dog walking business visible on the market requires a complex and multi-level approach to marketing. 

Here’s what you should focus on. 

Local Advertising

Although considered an outdated approach, distributing flyers in your local area can prove to be an excellent marketing tactic for dog walkers. Leave visually-appealing flyers about your brand and services in pet stores, veterinary clinics, libraries, coffee shops, and other locations where pet owners gather. 

Network with local pet owners through community events and connect with other pet-related businesses that can recommend your services. 

Online Presence

Next, build an online presence that can connect you to potential customers. Explore different online channels for presenting your pet sitting business, like social media platforms, Google My Business, email newsletters, a business website, and more. 

We recommend starting with a beautiful, yet functional website, where you can describe your services, outline your prices, and offer contact information. If possible, incorporate scheduling tools where customers can directly book services. 

Use social media to showcase happy clients and build trust via diverse and engaging content. 

Word-of-Mouth Referrals

Word-of-mouth referrals are incredibly valuable in any niche, but are especially powerful among animal lovers. 
When considering your services, one of the top priority aspects for pet owners will be how trustworthy you are and whether they will feel comfortable leaving their furry friends in your hands. And the best way to win trust is via a referral from someone who has already tested your service. 

Encourage satisfied customers to recommend you to other local dog owners and consider offering referral discounts to incentivise loyal clients. 

Step 7: Grow Your Dog Walking Business

Last but not least, avoid getting trapped in your comfort zone as a professional dog walker. Continuously explore different avenues for expanding and scaling your services. 

Once you’ve set the foundation of your business, add complementary services like dog training, pet sitting, or transport. Offer holiday packages or extended care for clients traveling. 

Build a reliable team of animal lovers and hire additional local dog walkers to perform your services. Recruit only trustworthy dog lovers who will be able to meet the growing demand and make sure you’re providing adequate training on handling, safety, and customer communication. 

As your business grows, chances are that you’ll find it challenging to manage everything manually. Consider implementing useful software and other digital tools that can help you automate bookings, track walks, and process payments. 

Legal and Compliance Checklist

Before we wish you good luck with your dog walking business, we encourage you to consider this legal and compliance checklist. The following legal requirements are vital for running a dog walking business in the UK. 

Keeping records 

In the UK, it’s mandatory to keep records of all dogs that your business has walked. In addition, it’s obligatory to have records of all payments that you’ve received to pay the right amount of tax. 

Another must-know fact is that you’ll need to record expendable items that you’ve had to invest in for running your business, like dog bowls, poop bags, marketing, and more. 

In addition, make sure you protect your customers’ information and are compliant with UK GDPR.

Regulations on the maximum number of dogs you can walk at a time 

How many dogs can you walk at once in the UK?

The good news is that there’s no national limit on how many dogs you can walk at once that will restrict your pet care business. However, different local councils may have different regulations on this matter. 

In most cases, the local council limit is four dogs at a time. If you do exceed this number, you may need a special licence to walk more dogs. 

The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005

How you dispose of dog mess is a serious matter that you should carefully think about. 

Under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act of 2005, dog walkers and pet owners can be fined up to £1,000 for failing to remove dog poop. This makes the use of poop bags essential when performing your services. 

Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953

Another law to note is the Dogs Act of 1953. Under this law, the dogs you’re walking cannot disturb or worry (meaning chase or attack) livestock like cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, and others on agricultural land. 

In case the situation gets out of control and this does happen, the farmer who owns the land has the right to act, including creating a legal dispute. 

The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

When performing your dog walking services, it’s also important to consider the dog’s temperament. 

Under the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991, it’s considered a criminal offence to permit a dog to be dangerously out of control. 

This calls for careful examination of the pet before you decide to work with a client. 

The Control of Dogs Order 1992 

Under the Control of Dogs Order 1992, every dog in a public place must wear a collar with a tag or plate that clearly displays its name and the owner’s address or contact number. 

Keep in mind that this rule applies even if the dog is microchipped – the ID tag is still legally required.

If a dog is found without a collar and ID tag in a public place, the owner (or dog walker) can be fined up to £5,000. Authorities or the local dog warden may also seize the dog.

Animal Welfare Act 2006 

The Animal Welfare Act 2006 is the main law in the UK that protects animals (including dogs) from cruelty, neglect, and harm. 

It sets out clear responsibilities for anyone who owns or cares for an animal, ensuring their five basic welfare needs are met:

• Need for a suitable environment
• Need for a suitable diet
• Need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns
• Need to be housed with (or apart from, as the case may be) other animals
• Need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease

As a pet carer, you’ll need to ensure you’re abiding by these standards at all times.

Conclusion

Starting your own dog walking business can be exciting, yet demanding. Before you make the first step, make sure that you’re fully aware of all expectations, requirements, and specifics on how to set up a dog walking business. 

Even if it seems challenging at first, don’t worry, your efforts will pay off in the future. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start a successful dog walking business in the UK?

To start a successful dog walking business, research your local area, create a simple business plan, get proper insurance, and advertise locally. Building trust, being reliable, and ensuring dogs’ safety are key to standing out from the crowd and gaining popularity.

Do I need qualifications to run a dog walking business in the UK?

You don’t legally need formal qualifications, but canine behaviour or pet first aid training can make your business stand out and help you run a safe, successful dog walking business.

What are some related business ideas I can add to my dog walking service?

You can expand with business ideas like pet sitting, puppy visits, dog transport, or grooming. These additional services can help you increase income and create a more successful dog walking business.

Where is the best place to walk dogs as a professional dog walker?

Local parks, woodland trails, and dog-friendly nature reserves are a perfect choice. Always check council rules and avoid overpopulated areas where dogs might feel stressed or unsafe.