How do I go about finding a back-up person, do you think? I don't really want to just find anybody... I'd have to REALLY trust them, and don't really wanna just post an ad on craigslist or anything, haha. Very good idea to talk with someone else who has experience with the business.

OMG awesome things to think about!!! Thank you sooo much for all of these great tips.

I would probably only be comfortable walking 2 dogs at once. I used to bring Jackson w/ me and I had a Black Lab, a Rottweiler, and a Boston Terrier mix that I was walking daily. I did other dogs on occasion, or weekends.
Thank you SOOO much for all of this.

I learned so much when walking/helping to raise the Rottweiler I walked. He had a few issues - he was somewhat reactive on leash, and had resource guarding issues. So I definitely had to know how to handle him, and I think I did it quite well.

I used to take him to the dog park until I told the owner I became too uncomfortable with it, because he began to not like certain dogs getting in his face.

All great points!!!

Get a tutor, it’s very inexpensive using another student. One to one work with someone can get you over that mental block you’re having. You need someone who speaks your language, and knows how to explain things in a way you understand. Algebra builds upon itself, if you are lost on chapter 3, you are lost the rest of the time. You have to learn each step as it goes, but it’s really not that bad.

Oh I was thinking you were bring the dogs to your place!

Check out your local Small Business Administration offices and regional business development groups. They offer free advisory services. I worked with both over the past 2 years putting my business together. It's good to establish a relationship with them and make contacts.

They can help you write a business plan and really think things through.

Lol, if you do it right, you can even get college credit for doing this! ;)

Haha! All I can say is I should have listened to my father and taken more business classes in my undergrad program.

I feel like I deserve a business degree after researching and writing the business plan, and learning that a bricks and morter store was out of the question for me at this time.

I always found out after I did something that I could have gotten college credit for that! It doesn't seem like bricks and mortar are the way of the future for many, some of our long time local stores are struggling. I was in Joanne’s the other day and I was so sad to see how little stock they had.

Same in our area -- stores poorly stocked and many, many storefronts sitting empty.

Sounds pretty good and good pet sitters are in high demand... one thing that jumped out though- did you mean you would have 15 clients per day? I would honestly not be happy if I knew my sitter had so many other clients at one time... I like that she gives my dogs so much time and attention if she had so many other animals to get to they would never get enough time.

Brit, I think if you are passionate about this, and it sounds like you are, go for it!

I used a petsitter for my 2 cats many years ago, about 10 years and she charged me $12 a day to come and check up on them and clean out the litter box. She would also get my mail and turn various lights on and off so it look as though someone was home--which I thought was a great touch.

I didn't think $12 was out of line at all. I got her name from both my vets office, at the time (in Severna Park) and some of the yellow page directory, not the regular phone book. I don't remember what it was but I think it was all pet related.

She was wonderful and one time I had an family emergency where we had to fly out of town that very night and she was very accomodating and made special arrangements to squeeze me in. At that time, she was working along with maybe the help of her daughter from time to time.

I would probably suggest starting out small and alone until you really get a good feel and then look at adding another person. I'm one of those people who am very leary of allowing people access into my home. I want to make sure of who is coming in and who has access. When I had a cleaning service, they didn't even have a key. I would be home and working in the office while they were in my home. Just something to think about. Good luck with it if you decide to pursue this.

BTW, Congrats on getting your cause on Conner Cares passed thru legislation. I saw the story on the news the other night. You and your family must be so proud as you should be. :)

It sounds like this would make you happy.

I'd hold off on having employees until you get established. I'm guessing many people would be fine with your pup being there; however, unless the client is a friend, I would not consider it.

I like the vet tech thing. I'd be very comfy leaving my pups with a good tech. But that is a lot of schooling to be a pup sitter, soooo probably not an option. My friend is on call to watch Ry this month, She is a pre-vet, calm, is used to working with rescues, doesn't mind crazy pups, is open to following my directions exactly, is very paricular, isn't afraid to pill pups/file nails, etc., shows no fear, reliable, and bc she is not insured, rates are reallllly low. LOL. Obviously not a good idea unless it is a friend...

As for Ellie...it is me or the hospital. I would want a sitter who could give injections if needed (like or diabetic pets, etc.).

You've gotten lots of great advice already, so I just wanted to share a quick story. I have a friend who was given the opportunity to take over a small dog walking business here in Toronto, Ontario. After running the numbers, she realized that she would make more money and work fewer hours (5 hours per day) working the business than she was making working as a Manager in a Non-profit organization (5 days a week, often 10-12 hour days)...The business she "inherited" was worth about $25,000....(name, insurance, clientele) and the people who gave her the business worked with her for a couple of weeks introducing her to all the dogs/clients and routines etc. She is incredibly happy and glad she made the change. I wanted to share this story because I think it is incredibly important that we follow our dreams...if you are doing something you love it won't matter if you are working 24/7...but the ability to do what you love and work reasonable hours, leaving time for your other interests etc...Priceless. Best of luck...I'll be waiting to hear all the stories of your new adventure as it begins!

Hi Brit,

I'm going to jump in on this... I ran a horse business for 6 years prior to starting school, so I have lots of insight into the running a business based on your passion.

FIRST the MOST IMPORTANT lesson I learned starting out is NEVER undervalue yourself. If you start low cost you are stuck charging that, existing clients will not accept a rate increase, and people may view you as a low end service, where you clearly want to offer a high end service. So your valuation isn't strong, you need to increase the price, cause business expenses will add up. I started teaching riding lessons by charging $20/hour, by the time I stopped I was delivering equivalent value of my coach who charged $50 per hour, but could only raise my rates to $30.

Second, are there loans in your area for small businesses, or youth. Look into this, there are many programs that come with mentors and perks and traininer for young entrepreneurs. I know in Canada there are several grant programs.

Third, get a mentor, or two, or three. You will want to call people and ask for advice, and you will get brutal honesty from these people, that will help you succeed. You need someone who isn't going to sugar coat things, they will tell you it straight so that you can learn quickly.

Fourth, I don't want to be a downer, but this needs to be considered. Make sure you're up for the work. The root of every good entrepreneur is indeed passion, but make sure you're ready for the amount of work that will come. I thought I was going to run a horse business for the rest of my life, I started at 14, built a small empire by 18 and lost it all by 20. I'm 23 now and I haven't rode a horse in over a year cause I had such a bad business experience that I don't want to ever go back to riding again. So think long and hard about it before you start. You want to assure that you are willing to take that extra work.

I have a million things I'd love to tell you, and I want to offer if you have any questions and want some help from a young entrepreneur I'd be happy to chat with you in more detail. I am part of a mentorship program here in NS and I mentor young entrepreneurs so do not hesitate to ask me anything you can pm me or email. We can even skype if you want.

I can see your passion and I know you've been working on trying to find what you love to do over the past year or so. I think this could be a great idea for you, you just need to make sure you've thought of everything, and it looks like you're off to a good start.

No, I couldn't handle 15 dogs per day on my own! It was just an estimate more or less, and if I had someone to help me. Hehe. But I know some people may not need EVERY day, or some may just need a weekend... some may just want a 10 minute visit, some may want an hour etc.

For start up purposes, I'd probably set my goal at 5-7 dogs per day and see how I handle it.

I did 3 dogs 5 days a week for over 2 years and definitely could have added more, but was scared to because of school schedule, and taking on more than I could handle, etc. Plus I want to be insured and established when taking on new clients and was doing it for a pretty low rate.


Thank you!! Good advice. :)

Thanks Bo! When I was doing it on my own, I was charging $12 a day for 30 minutes. Which is realllyyy low comparing to most other pet sitting companies around here. My first client I was still charging only $10 per day and never changed or increased rates.

And thank you! We have been working sooo hard on Connor Cares. We had a meeting with QA County on Monday and will have a public hearing in August!

Thanks! I know I've been sooo wish washy with what I wanted to do. I was dead set on teaching, until I found out I'd have to start school practically all over again. Most of my credits I took for business were going to mean nothing for an elementary degree. Plus the extra schooling I'd have to do once I became a teacher. I think that would still be a career I would be passionate about... but animals are *more* my passion. And I'm almost certain I could end up making more money without the excess school.

I would plan on getting certified in whatever I can, but yeah vet tech would probably be out. You still need college algebra :p LOL, but I don't know, maybe if I really set my mind to it. I definitely would get certified in pet CPR/etc.



That's a great story! Thank you for that... makes me feel very positive. :)

I totally agree! That is what happened to me to start. My first "Real" client was the Rottie I walked. I really wanted the job so only charged $10 per day which was reallllyyy low. Once I got other clients, I charged $12 per day, but still could have gotten more.

I will admit it could get stressful. Running from house to house, sometimes leashing up the dogs could be a pain, hyper from being locked up all morning... dealing with snow, rain, hot weather, really cold weather, etc. But overall I really enjoyed it. I thought I would be kind of relived not to do it, but I honestly really miss it. I loved the routine, I loved the dogs.

But thank you for the great advice.

I wished you lived near me too. I am paying a pet sitter $25 a day to watch Copper at her house for a week this summer.

I did talk to an experienced pet sitter who would come to my house and stay at my house for $30 a night.

I don't know what the going rate is, my daughter used to do it, but she moved to Arkansas about 2 weeks ago. There is definitely a need for it!