Adding Home Help & Companionship Care to Your Dog Walking Business
- Tori Lynn Crowther
- May 3, 2024
- 5 min read
Adding Home Help & Companionship Care to Your Dog Walking Business
Dog walking is often the core of a pet care business, but there are ways to expand your services, provide more value to clients, and generate additional income. One of the most effective options is home help or companionship care.
Home help and companionship care can include tasks like checking in on a client while they’re out, assisting with errands, or simply spending time with pets or elderly clients who need company. Offering this service keeps your schedule full, strengthens client relationships, and positions you as a versatile, trusted professional.
Why It Helps Your Business
Diversifies Your Income Dog walking schedules can be irregular, especially during off-peak times. Offering home help or companionship care provides a reliable way to earn extra revenue.
Fills Gaps in the Schedule Quiet mornings or afternoons can be filled with short visits for companionship, errands, or light home help, keeping you productive throughout the day.
Builds Stronger Client Relationships Clients appreciate care that goes beyond walking their dogs. Providing companionship or home help shows that you value their lifestyle and needs, fostering loyalty.
Attracts New Clients Some clients may not have pets but still need home support or companionship for themselves or their family members. This opens up new markets and opportunities.
How to Set Up the Service
Decide the Scope of Services
Common offerings include:
Spending time with pets or elderly residents
Feeding or checking on pets
Light household tasks such as watering plants or bringing in mail
Running small errands
Providing companionship and social interaction
Clearly define what is included and what is outside the service to avoid misunderstandings.
Set Pricing & Scheduling
Research local rates for companionship or home support services.
Consider duration, travel time, and complexity of tasks.
Decide whether you charge hourly, per visit, or with packages for recurring clients.
Create a Checklist or Routine
For each visit, document tasks to complete, observations, and client notes.
Include a way to report back to the client (text, photo, or short summary).
Communicate & Get Agreements
Discuss expectations and boundaries with clients before starting.
Obtain written instructions, emergency contacts, and clear agreements on what you can and cannot do.
Tips for Success
Start with What You Know: Begin by offering companionship or pet-related help before expanding into broader home support.
Stay Professional: Treat these visits with the same professionalism as dog walks. Be punctual, reliable, and communicative.
Document Everything: Keep notes on visits, interactions, and any unusual observations. Clients trust and appreciate clear records.
Build Packages: Offer bundled hours or recurring visits to make it easy for clients to book regularly.
Respect Privacy: Some clients may be sensitive about having someone in their home. Always act with discretion and professionalism.
Warnings & Considerations
Insurance & Liability: Check that your business insurance covers home visits, companionship, or minor errands. Update your policy if necessary.
Boundaries: Only commit to tasks you are qualified and comfortable performing. Avoid anything that could create legal or safety risks.
Safety: Ensure someone knows your schedule and location, especially when visiting clients’ homes alone.
Confidentiality: Treat client information, home details, and personal conversations with complete confidentiality.
Time Management: Avoid overbooking visits around dog walks; quality of service is more important than quantity.
Adding home help or companionship care is a strategic way to expand your business, fill quiet periods, and create deeper connections with your clients. By offering this service professionally, you not only increase your income but also demonstrate versatility and trustworthiness—qualities that set successful pet care businesses apart.
A note on business and professionalism
This guide assumes one thing: you are running a business, not a hobby.
Pet care is more than a passion—it’s your livelihood, and it deserves the same professionalism, planning, and respect as any other business. Treating it like “just a job for fun” won’t get you the results or freedom you want.
You are allowed to:
Charge enough to make your business sustainable
Set and enforce clear boundaries with clients
Expect respect from clients, peers, and the wider pet care industry
Take your work seriously, even when others don’t
Build a business that supports you, not just every pet and client
Professional success starts with self-respect—and pet care businesses built on self-respect thrive for the long term.
About Tori Lynn C. & The Dog House
Welcome to The Dog House — my cosy corner of the TLC Canine Crusaders Business Hub. I’m Tori Lynn C., the founder of TLC Dog Walking Limited, mentor to professional dog walkers, and lifelong advocate for dogs and the people who care for them. Before building my own dog walking company, I worked as a dog trainer and held corporate roles at Pizza Hut’s Head Office in London and at PricewaterhouseCoopers, based at Embankment Place. Business, structure, and people management have been part of my life for a very long time.
With full time, hands-on experience in the dog industry since 2007, my mission is to guide you through the realities of running a successful, sustainable dog walking business — from client care and safety to wellbeing, confidence, and professional growth.
The Dog House is where I share the honest, behind-the-scenes conversations we all need: the tricky moments, the funny bits, the business lessons, and the mindset work that keeps us thriving rather than merely surviving. Whether you're just starting out or scaling up, you’ll always find support, guidance, and a friendly nudge forward here.
You’re never alone in this journey — you’re part of a community of canine crusaders.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided on this website is for general information and educational purposes only. It is intended to support pet care professionals in understanding common legal considerations when operating a dog walking or pet care business in the UK.
This content does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for advice from a qualified solicitor or legal professional. Laws, regulations and local authority requirements may change over time and can vary depending on location and individual circumstances.
While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date at the time of publication, no guarantees are made regarding completeness or applicability to your specific situation.
By using this website, you acknowledge that:
✓ You are responsible for ensuring your own business complies with all relevant UK laws and local authority rules
✓ You should seek professional legal advice before drafting, using or relying on any contract or legal document
✓ The website owner accepts no liability for loss, damage or legal issues arising from the use of this information
If you are unsure about any legal obligations, contractual terms or liabilities, it is strongly recommended that you consult a solicitor experienced in small business or consumer law.
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