Clients are essential for any business, especially a service-based business, and dog walking definitely falls into that category.

In fact, you could go as far as to say that with no clients, you have no business.

So, listen up!

This article is important!

Let me start by saying that getting clients is not easy in the beginning. 

In fact, I am not yet at full capacity. I am still following what I outline in this article and hitting the pavement each and every day trying to attract highly qualified clients.

Realistically, it could take up to a year or better to have a reliable, full-time client list, so be prepared to be in it for the long haul.

Ok, let’s get back to the strategies that will help you get clients for your dog walking business.

Hit Up Family and Friends

Your first step is to tell everybody you know that you are starting a dog walking business and are looking for clients. 

They may want you to walk their pooch or know someone who does. 

Now, this may be uncomfortable. I know I found it weird to pitch myself to my family and everyone else, but the more people who know about your business the better.

As well, when someone who actually knows you is giving your name as a referral, a level of trust is already established.

Meaning that if the meet and greet go well, they will probably choose you because you are not a complete stranger. 

Theoretically, anyway.

Advertise, Advertise, Advertise

No one will know about you if you are not advertising your services.

Relax, you can do a lot of advertising for FREE!

How do I advertise my dog walking?

Luckily, there are many avenues to advertise your dog walking business. 

Let’s start with online methods of advertising.

Dog walking advertising ideas:

• Social Media
• Facebook Marketplace
• Kijiji
• Craigslist

Another online option that is not totally free, but pretty inexpensive and in my opinion totally worth it is:

• A website

A couple of offline methods of advertising are:

• Flyers
• Business cards (not totally free, but again, worth it!)

What services do dog walkers (you) provide?

It’s important to advertise what services you provide, for example, do you offer pet sitting and boarding or strictly dog walking?

Let potential clients know as clearly as possible what you can do for them. Because that’s what they are looking for. They want you to fulfill a specific service that they cannot currently do.

Make sure all of your advertising is clear, and concise with an emphasis on how you can help solve your potential client’s problem.

How do I advertise myself as a dog walker?

Talking about yourself is not a very comfortable thing to do. At least, for most of us out there it isn’t.

But there is no getting around it when you want to start a successful business, you need to tell people. 

How else are they going to know that you even exist?

So, save up a few bucks, get some business cards made, and head out to some local businesses.

Vet offices, pet stores, and groomers are a good place to start. Basically anywhere that you think may naturally refer a dog walker to a client.

Your business should be the first thing you tell people when they ask you:

“What have you been up to lately?”

Stop saying “Not much.” And start saying:

“Well, I have been busy starting a dog walking business called……” 

The more you talk about yourself, the easier it becomes.

Truth be told, I am still not that comfortable advertising myself to anyone that will listen, but I am forcing myself to do it more and more and eventually, I will become comfortable doing it (at least that’s what I keep telling myself!)

How do I find my first dog walking client?

Let me tell you how I found my first dog walking client.

When I was toying with the idea of starting a dog walking business, I put an ad up on Kijiji saying that I was looking for a dog or two to add to my daily walks with my own dog, Ollie.

I did not have a business name or a website or anything like that. Just me and Ollie.

Well, when I was checking to see how my ad was ranking on Kijiji, I came across another ad that was looking for a dog walker in my area. 

I reached out to her via Kijiji and sent her my ad to see if she thought we would be a good fit.

After a bit of chit-chat on Kijiji messenger, we set up a date and time for us and our pooches to meet to see if they got on OK.

Well, everything went well, I wasn’t even nervous at the meet and greet. I was confident and friendly and we got along great.

The best part was that our dogs had a great time playing and they hired me to walk their adorable labradoodle a couple of times a week.

Now, obviously, this wasn’t a full-time gig, but it was a start. It gave me the confidence I needed to get out and pound the pavement consistently because I knew there was a need for my services.

So, the answer to the question, how do you find your first dog walking client? is:

Always be on the lookout for potential clients, don’t be afraid to take a part-time gig, and just get out there as much as possible putting out flyers, posting ads, and chatting up anyone who will listen.

Don’t Give Up!

Starting a business is not easy, no matter what field you are in. The important thing is to stay consistent and keep getting your name out there any way you can.

Eventually, when you have a consistent client base, you will get referrals from friends of clients, but until your phone is ringing off the hook with potential clients, you are your advertising firm.

YOU need to advertise YOU. 

Just know that I am still grinding it out every day in search of clients that I know will come. I know it.

Be positive and friendly always and in time, you will get the clients you deserve.

What has been your most successful advertising method? Let us know in the comments so we can all learn from your experience.