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Do you want a well-paid job that's good for your health?

5/30/2015

6 Comments

 
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Dog walking is a great way to make money and get fit at the same time, and is in high demand in UK cities. Some people even have quit their dull office job to set up a full-time dog-walking business. Not only are London dog walkers paid more than the national wage average (£22,044), but they work only half the hours of the average employee to earn £32,356.

Here are some of the reasons the task has become so popular in the UK:

1) You make really good money. £10-15 per dog per hour. So if you walk four at a time you could make £60 an hour! You could work through an agency or set up on your own.

2) You take exercise in the open air. Of course, sometimes you'll walk in the pouring rain.

3) The hours are flexible and suitable to you. No more office politics or doing a thankless task.

The work is as simple as it sounds. You arrange to pick up the animals, take them for a walk and then return them home. You might need to do it twice a day for each dog and a good walk means a minimum of half an hour – ideally an hour.

At the start, you should take just one four-legged friend and work up to about three or four dogs depending on their size, speed and levels of obedience. Once you've assessed their character, you can organize them into sociable groups. There are no current legal limits on how many dogs you can take out at once, but local councils say the worst problems they have with dog walkers is that they take out more animals than they can cope with at any one time.

The main problems are:

1) Dogs running away and not coming back That's a no-brainer.

2) Not being able to clean up after them all – illegal and a health hazard. This is probably the most odious (and malodorous) part of the job.

Unfortunately in the US, a dog walker earns considerably less; an average of $10.80 per hour. Most people move on to other positions after 20 years in this field.

Last week, we suggested this job to my husband's son who was visiting from California. He has suffered from a bad back since he lost his job. He could combine walking his own pup with other people's pampered pets. He didn't look too enthusiastic—not after managing a golf buggy company which involved various overseas trips. However, when I pointed out that the best thing for a bad back was exercise, he showed more interest.

I couldn't do it, with my walking disability. But, I would have jumped at the chance to take doggies for walks and get paid for doing so. Our wonderful 76 year-old neighbor walks dogs in a field every day from our closest town Radlett, a large affluent village in the county of Hertfordshire between St Albans and Borehamwood on Watling Street with a population of approximately 8,000. He's a keen bird-watcher, and keeps a sharp eye above while he's walking. That's probably why he's so fit and enthusiastic.

Would you consider taking on this job?

6 Comments
Alana Mautone link
5/29/2015 10:26:50 pm

I never dreamed dogwalkers made that much in the U.K. I don't think I would take on that job unless I couldn't make a living another way. Between back and knee issues, I'd rather do something a little less physical - I'm too used to making a living with my mind.

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Carol Cassara link
5/30/2015 01:40:50 am

Francene, your reply box won't show itself to me. I only get a box for my name now. So I am replying to Alana's message. We use a dogwalker at times.

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Debbie D. link
5/29/2015 10:40:05 pm

Hi Francene; I started my own pet care business in 1994, after getting "downsized" from my corporate job. This included walking dogs all over town. Yes, it was lucrative, but not paid as well as in the U.K. (I'm in Canada). We don't have the greatest weather sometimes, especially in the winter and that did me in, after about 12 years. Arthritis and Raynaud's syndrome (a circulatory disorder) got the better of me and I retired from dog walking, to concentrate on the home boarding aspect.My house is like a little doggie commune. Lots of fun!

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Barbara Bianchi link
5/30/2015 01:48:15 am

This sounds like a desirable business for animal lovers. And I am an animal lover. I can also see it as a side business for someone who is working on developing a new product that is not making money yet or perhaps someone who is writing a book that isn't finished yet. It's always good to have an excuse to take a break and get out in the fresh air. :)

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Cathy Graham link
5/30/2015 05:33:23 am

I have often toyed with the idea but after reading about Debbie's experiences, I don't think I'd pursue it as I am also in Canada where the pay isn't great and the weather is often crummy. Besides, I have my own big Malamute, Loup, to walk and he's a challenge on his own. We used to have four big dogs. Don't know how we managed. It does sound great if you're in the UK though. They seem to really value their dogs.

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Amy Young Miller link
5/30/2015 11:17:35 pm

This sounds like a dream job to me, but I'd do it in England and not America--it pays much more! Still a great idea for a young person who is looking for a quick way to make some pocket money. I do think walking several dogs at once would take some real coordination and a few tricks!

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    Francene Stanley
    From England, I use news items in my novels which you can see below, all linked to an Amazon near you.

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