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The Pack Lounge
The Pack Lounge: Your go-to space for expert dog care insights, tips, and featured blogs. New articles rotate regularly, but all past blogs are always available in The Dog House.


January Dog Walking in the UK: Professional Planning, Risk and Reality
Cold temperatures, short daylight hours and rapidly changing weather conditions require more than enthusiasm and warm clothing — they …

Tori Lynn Crowther
Jan 54 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, 20254 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, 20254 min read


You’re Not “Just” a Dog Walker
“You’re just taking them for a walk.”
If you’re a professional dog walker reading this, you already know how wrong that sentence feels in your bones. Dog walking is not casual. It is not passive. And it is certainly not unskilled. When a lead is clipped on and a gate closes behind you, you are no longer a background helper. You are the person in charge of a living being with instincts, fears, history, strength, and legal implications attached to every ...

Tori Lynn Crowther
Dec 18, 20254 min read


30 Ideas to Grow Your Income
MRR is income that you can reliably count on every month from clients who pay for regular services or subscriptions. It’s the key to financial stability, long-term client loyalty, and the ability to scale your business.
In this blog, we’ll explore why MRR matters, how to structure your dog walking business around it, and provide 30...

Tori Lynn Crowther
Dec 18, 20254 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


Planning Walks Efficiently: How Dog Walkers Can Make the Most of Lunchtime Demand
The Pack Lounge with TLC Canine Crusaders Business Hub Planning Walks Efficiently: How Dog Walkers Can Make the Most of Lunchtime Demand If you’re a professional dog walker, you’ll know that the lunchtime rush can be chaotic. Nearly every client wants their dog walked at exactly 12 noon, and no matter how magical your scheduling skills are, you can’t be in three places at once. The key to surviving—and thriving—during this peak window is smart planning, structured services,

Tori Lynn Crowther
Dec 12, 20254 min read


Should You Hire Another Dog Walker When You Get Busy — or Stay Solo? The Honest Truth
The Pack Lounge with TLC Canine Crusaders Business Hub BACK TO THE PACK LOUNGE Should You Hire Another Dog Walker... One of the biggest questions dog walkers face as their diary fills up is this: “Should I bring someone in to help…or am I better staying on my own?” There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but there are clear benefits, challenges, and things you must think about before taking the next step. This post will help you figure out what’s right for you—and for the long-

Tori Lynn Crowther
Dec 6, 20254 min read


Sneak Peek Inside The Dog House: Exclusive Support for Dog Walkers
Get a sneak peek at The Dog House mentoring hub for dog walkers — monthly calls, webinars, templates, and a supportive community designed to help your business thrive.

Tori Lynn Crowther
Nov 14, 20252 min read


Building Stable, Behaviourally Sound Walking Groups: Tips for Dog Walkers
A well-structured group not only provides physical exercise and mental stimulation for the dogs but also keeps everyone safe and happy—your clients’ dogs, you, and the dogs in the group itself.
One of the most important factors in making group walks successful is ensuring the dogs are compatible with each other, which can sometimes feel like a juggling act....

Tori Lynn Crowther
Nov 8, 20256 min read


When a Walk Goes Wrong: Why Emergency Planning Matters for Dog Walkers
If you have ever come home from a dog walk feeling shaken, overwhelmed, or quietly questioning whether you handled everything as well as…

Tori Lynn Crowther
Nov 4, 20253 min read


Winter Walk Planning for Professional Dog Walkers
Winter is not simply “colder walking weather”. For professional dog walkers, it is a season that fundamentally alters risk profiles, time..

Tori Lynn Crowther
Oct 30, 20254 min read


The Rise of the Professional Dog Walker: Why the Industry Will Never Be the Same Again
For decades, dog walking was treated as a casual service. Now, rising behavioural challenges, public safety concerns, and inconsistent handling standards are forcing the industry into a new era. Councils are tightening rules, insurance requirements are increasing, and walkers will soon need demonstrable...

Tori Lynn Crowther
Oct 24, 20254 min read


How to Communicate Price Rises with Your Dog Walking Clients
Many walkers worry about upsetting clients or losing bookings—but the truth is, most clients understand that costs increase and professionals adjust their fees accordingly. The key is communicating the change clearly, confidently, and with plenty of notice....

Tori Lynn Crowther
Jan 25, 20253 min read


How to Brand Your Wellies for Work: Tips for Dog Walkers
Branding your wellies might seem like a small detail, but it’s an easy way to combine professionalism with practicality. Plus, it helps ensure your gear counts as legitimate workwear for both your team and HMRC...

Tori Lynn Crowther
Jan 6, 20254 min read


New Year, New Prices: Why It’s Time to Raise Your Dog Walking Rates
January. The month of dark mornings, soggy leads, and that lingering guilt about last year’s chocolate stash. It’s also the perfect time to talk about something a lot of dog walkers quietly dread: raising your prices...

Tori Lynn Crowther
Jan 1, 20253 min read


Self Assessment for Dog Walkers: Everything You Need to Know (A Complete Guide)
this guide breaks down everything you need to know: dates, forms, registration, record keeping, allowable expenses, and how to use resources like the TLC Canine Crusaders Business Hub calculators to make the whole process easier...

Tori Lynn Crowther
Dec 21, 20245 min read


What Dog Walkers Can Claim as Business Expenses – A Complete Guide for UK Dog Walkers
Many of those costs can be claimed back as business expenses, helping you reduce your taxable income and run a more efficient, profitable business.
Whether you’re a solo dog walker or running a full team like I do at TLC Dog Walking, keeping track of your expenses is essential. Below is a clear guide to what dog walkers can usually claim as expenses in the UK, including how logoed clothing and branded kit fit into your allowable business costs.....

Tori Lynn Crowther
Dec 1, 20244 min read


Knowing Your Dog: The Real Secret to Training That Works
In The Dog House, training isn’t about teaching tricks. It’s about building a language between you & your dog so life becomes easier, calm..

Tori Lynn Crowther
Jul 27, 20243 min read
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