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Running A Business
The Running a Business blog category is your go-to hub for everything you need to build, manage, and grow a successful dog-based business. Whether you're a dog walker, trainer, groomer, sitter, or pet-care professional, this category is packed with practical guidance to help you stay organised, profitable, and compliant.
Inside this category, you’ll find:
Business Foundations – How to set up your business properly, choose your structure, register with HMRC, and understand essential legal ...
Dog Walker’s Guide to Scaling Back Clients
At some point, many professional dog walkers reach a stage where they need to scale back on clients. This can feel uncomfortable, especially if you pride yourself on being reliable and supportive to pet owners...
Tori Lynn Crowther
4 days ago6 min read
Building Systems That Hold
This is about intentional system design, not adding more software or paperwork. Most people build systems backwards...
Tori Lynn Crowther
Mar 15 min read
Planning Price Increases: A Strategic Guide
If the thought of increasing your prices makes you feel slightly sick, you’re not alone. Most experienced dog walkers didn’t get into this industry because they love spreadsheets and pricing strategy. You got into it because you love dogs, relationships, and working outdoors — not because you enjoy awkward money conversations.
Tori Lynn Crowther
Feb 206 min read
Dealing with Non-Paying Clients in the Pet Care Profession
this guide is everything I want you to understand about preventing non-payment, handling it properly, and protecting yourself legally…
Tori Lynn Crowther
Feb 197 min read
How to Advertise Your Pet Care Business for Free (Without Feeling Salesy or Desperate)
Free advertising isn’t about shouting the loudest. It’s about being visible, credible, and memorable in everyday life. If you work with animals, you already have a huge advantage: your job naturally puts you in front of people. Dog walks, client handovers, petrol stations, cafés, school runs, and even nights out can all lead to new clients—if you know how to handle those...
Tori Lynn Crowther
Feb 106 min read
Comparing Pet Sitter Plus and Other UK Pet Care Booking Solutions
Business needs with TLC Canine Crusaders Back To The Dog House Comparing Pet Sitter Plus and Other UK Pet Care Booking Solutions I have always used Pet Sitter Plus to manage my pet care business, from bookings and scheduling to invoicing and client records. It has been my go-to system for keeping everything organised and running smoothly. Recently, I’ve been looking around at other options available in the UK, to see what else is out there and whether there might be tools bet
Tori Lynn Crowther
Feb 105 min read
Understanding UK Animal Licensing Star Ratings
Many new home dog boarders worry that a 3‑star licence is a sign of failure – especially sole traders who sometimes need to leave…
Tori Lynn Crowther
Feb 66 min read
Busy Is Not Successful
Experience creates confidence — but confidence can hide risk. At this stage, the question is no longer “Can I get clients?” It is …
Tori Lynn Crowther
Feb 36 min read
Adding Online Booking to Your Pet Care Website
Online booking can be a huge asset or a serious liability depending on how it’s implemented. For professional pet care providers, booking…
Tori Lynn Crowther
Feb 35 min read
Who Is Legally Responsible When You Take Someone Else’s Dog Out?
responsibility for a dog can transfer the moment you take charge of it. Who is legally responsible when walking a dog that does not belong..
Tori Lynn Crowther
Feb 39 min read
How to Set Up a Website for a Professional Pet Care Provider
A professional website is no longer optional in pet care—it is part of your risk management, client screening, marketing, and brand authorit
Tori Lynn Crowther
Jan 275 min read
The Ultimate Guide to Professional In‑Home Dog Pet Sitting (UK)
one of the most complex, responsibility‑heavy roles in the dog care industry. You are caring for a living, feeling animal and occupying someone’s private home, often for days or weeks at a time. Dog professionals who understand behaviour, welfare, boundaries, and the realities of working with real dogs and real ...
Tori Lynn Crowther
Jan 246 min read
The Time-Freedom Myth: What Friends & Family Think Dog Walkers Have vs The Real Reality
On paper, self-employment looks flexible. In reality, dog walking is driven by when clients need you, not when it suits you. Most dog walking demand sits firmly between 10am and 2pm — when owners are at work and dogs need exercise, enrichment, and toilet breaks...
Tori Lynn Crowther
Jan 225 min read
Dog Walking Contracts in the UK: Laws, Legislation and Best Practice (2026)
An in-depth legal guide for new and established pet care professionals
Running a professional dog walking business in the UK involves far…
Tori Lynn Crowther
Jan 117 min read
What Your Insurance Really Covers — and What It Doesn’t
Most professional dog walkers only find out the limits of their cover after something has gone wrong. By then, it’s too late to change…
Tori Lynn Crowther
Jan 35 min read
A Dog Walker’s Guide to Self-Assessment This January (With Links)
January the looming Self-Assessment deadline. If the idea of returns makes you want to hide under the duvet, don’t panic – by following…
Tori Lynn Crowther
Jan 17 min read
Dog Walking Insurance Explained: Why Both Vehicle and Business Cover Matter
both vehicle insurance and business insurance play very different roles, and both are essential…
Tori Lynn Crowther
Dec 30, 20255 min read
What Expanding Your Dog Walking Business Really Looks Like Behind the Scenes
The Pack Lounge with TLC Canine Crusaders Business Hub BACK TO THE PACK LOUNGE What Expanding Your Dog Walking Business Really Looks Like (The honest version no one puts on Instagram) Most dog walkers reach a point where they think: “I’m fully booked — should I take someone on?” “Maybe I could expand into the next village?” “I’m turning clients away — I need help!” “I want to earn more without physically walking more hours.” And yes… expansion can change your life, give you f
Tori Lynn Crowther
Dec 27, 20255 min read
Employing Dog Walkers vs. Using Self-Employed Walkers
Should you hire employees? Should you use self-employed walkers? Or should you expand by franchising your business model?
Each path affects your income, workload, legal responsibilities, branding, and quality control. And importantly — each one changes your financial thresholds, including how close you come to VAT registration. (Most solo walkers never hit the VAT limit, but expansion can push you there quickly...
Tori Lynn Crowther
Dec 20, 20255 min read
If You’re a Solo Dog Walker, What Are Your Options When You’re Sick, Need a Holiday, or Something Goes Wrong?
The Pack Lounge with TLC Canine Crusaders Business Hub BACK TO THE PACK LOUNGE What Are Your Options When You’re Sick, Need a Holiday, or Something Goes Wrong? One of the biggest challenges of being a solo dog walker is this: You are the entire business. If you stop, everything stops. And while working alone can be wonderful—no staff to manage, full control, no payroll—there will be days when life throws you a curveball. So what can you do when you’re: Sick Needing a holi
Tori Lynn Crowther
Dec 13, 20254 min read
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