How Much Do Dog Walkers Make?

Find out how much dog walkers earn in the UK, what skills you need, pros and cons, training, income levels and top platforms to work for.

How Much Do Dog Walkers Make? Career Overview, Income, and Training Guide

Dog walking has grown into a flexible and rewarding career for animal lovers. Whether as a full-time profession or side hustle, it offers independence, time outdoors, and the chance to work with pets every day. But how much can you actually earn—and what’s involved in getting started?

This guide breaks down the job of a dog walker, required traits, training, salary levels, tax, and the top companies to work with.

Job Description: What Does a Dog Walker Do?

Dog walkers provide regular exercise and care for clients’ dogs, often while their owners are at work or away. Walks may be one-on-one or in small groups, and services may include basic care tasks like feeding or administering medication.

Responsibilities:

  • Collecting and safely transporting dogs

  • Walking dogs in appropriate locations

  • Ensuring dogs are socialised and under control

  • Picking up waste and keeping dogs clean

  • Communicating with pet owners about health or behaviour

  • Managing multiple dogs on group walks

  • Handling bookings, payments, and customer service if self-employed

How Hard Is It to Become a Dog Walker?

It’s relatively easy to get started, with no formal qualifications required. However, competition can be high in urban areas, and building a reputation takes time. You’ll need to be trustworthy, reliable, and physically fit enough to handle dogs of various sizes and energy levels.

Getting insurance, pet first aid knowledge, and business systems in place is key if you’re going self-employed.

Traits and Characteristics You Need

  • Love for animals—especially dogs of all types

  • Physical stamina—long walks in all weather

  • Confidence handling different breeds and behaviours

  • Time management—multiple walks per day

  • Responsibility and trustworthiness

  • Communication skills—to build trust with clients

  • Basic admin or business sense if self-employed

Do You Need Qualifications?

No formal study is required, but the following help:

  • Canine first aid training

  • Basic animal behaviour or care certificates (City & Guilds, iPET Network)

  • Insurance – Public liability, pet cover, key cover

  • DBS check – Shows clients you’re trustworthy

  • Pet business registration – For tax and HMRC purposes

Training can be completed in a few weeks online or in-person. Experience with your own or others’ dogs is often enough to get started.

Are There Levels or Specialisations?

Standard Roles:

  • Solo Dog Walker – One client’s dog at a time

  • Group Dog Walker – Multiple dogs, higher earning potential

  • Dog Daycare Walker – Walks as part of longer care sessions

  • Pet Sitter / House Sitter – Offers overnight stays

  • Dog Trainer-Walker – Incorporates behaviour support

With time, some dog walkers grow into:

  • Dog walking business owners

  • Franchise operators (e.g. Petpals, We Love Pets)

  • Pet taxi services or dog grooming add-ons

What Experience Do You Need?

Experience with dogs (voluntary or personal) is usually enough to start.

  • Volunteering at a rescue or shelter

  • Dog-sitting for friends or neighbours

  • Shadowing an experienced walker

  • Training courses or canine handling workshops

Reputation is everything—testimonials, photos, and regular client feedback help build your profile.

Benefits of Being a Dog Walker

  • Flexible hours – Great for part-time or freelance work

  • Active, outdoor job

  • Work with animals every day

  • Low start-up costs

  • High demand, especially in cities or commuter areas

  • Easy to grow through word of mouth or local marketing

  • Can scale into a business if desired

Drawbacks and Negatives

  • Unpredictable weather—rain or shine, dogs need walking

  • Variable income—client cancellations affect cash flow

  • Physical wear—long walks, strong dogs

  • No guaranteed hours—especially early on

  • Managing multiple dogs safely can be stressful

  • Requires self-motivation—especially if working alone

Dog Walker Salary UK

Dog walkers typically charge per walk, often for 30–60 minutes. Rates vary by location and group size.

Solo Walk (30–60m): £10 – £18 per dog

Group Walk: £12 – £15 per dog

Daycare Add-on: £30 – £45

Annual Earnings:

  • Part-time (10 walks/week): £6,000 – £10,000

  • Full-time (3–4 walks/day): £18,000 – £30,000

  • High-demand areas (London): Up to £35,000+

Tax Example:

A self-employed dog walker earning £28,000/year would pay:

  • Income Tax: approx. £2,686

  • National Insurance (Class 2 + 4): approx. £1,870

  • Take-home pay: approx. £23,400/year or £450/week

Expenses like fuel, treats, insurance, poop bags, and advertising reduce taxable income.

What Factors Affect a Dog Walker’s Salary?

  • Location – London, Surrey, Edinburgh = higher rates

  • Number of dogs per walk – More dogs = more income per hour

  • Specialisation – Behavioural support or training can raise fees

  • Reliability and reputation – More referrals = full schedule

  • Daycare or pet-sitting add-ons

  • Time of day / weekends – Premiums for late or off-peak slots

  • Online presence – Profiles on platforms like Rover or Tailster help boost reach

What’s the Future for This Role?

Pet ownership continues to rise, especially after the pandemic. People working longer hours and hybrid jobs means demand for trusted, flexible dog walkers remains strong.

Future trends include:

  • App-based bookings and GPS tracking

  • Insurance and DBS-verified platforms becoming standard

  • Clients preferring walkers with first aid or training experience

  • Rise of dog walking franchises offering training, branding, and leads

Best Companies and Platforms to Work With

If you don’t want to go fully independent, these are great starting points:

  • Rover UK – Trusted platform with app, insurance, and reviews

  • Tailster – Bookings + customer support

  • Bark – Freelancers can advertise locally

  • Petpals / We Love Pets – Franchises offering support and brand recognition

  • Pawshake – Pet sitters and dog walkers with client messaging built-in

  • DogBuddy – Local dog walking app with strong community

Final Thought

Dog walking is a low-barrier, high-satisfaction job for anyone who loves animals and enjoys the outdoors. While the pay varies and weather isn’t always kind, the job offers freedom, simplicity, and a real connection with pets and people. With a little hustle and care, it can grow into a reliable, flexible income or even a full-fledged business.