Adding Puppy Training to Your Dog Walking Services
- Tori Lynn Crowther
- Mar 3, 2024
- 5 min read
Adding Puppy Training to Your Dog Walking Services
If you already run a dog walking business, offering puppy training can be a natural, profitable, and highly valuable addition. Puppies are a huge part of the pet market, and owners are willing to invest in expert guidance to set their new companions up for a lifetime of good behaviour. By integrating puppy training into your services, you can grow your business, deepen client relationships, and position yourself as a trusted professional in the pet care industry.
Why Offer Puppy Training?
It Adds Real Value for Clients Owners of young dogs want more than walks—they want support, advice, and practical training tips. Puppy training helps them prevent behaviour problems and build strong bonds with their pets.
Diversifies Your Income Training sessions are a premium service you can charge for alongside dog walking. They also keep your schedule busy during quieter periods for walks.
Strengthens Client Loyalty Clients who see results from your training are more likely to trust you with additional services, whether that’s dog walking, cat sitting, or home care.
Positions You as a Professional Offering structured training demonstrates expertise and shows you’re more than “just a dog walker.” It elevates your brand and attracts clients who value professionalism.
How to Add Puppy Training to Your Services
Decide What Type of Training to Offer
One-to-one sessions: Personalised training for specific behaviours.
Small group classes: Socialisation and basic obedience in a controlled environment.
Home-based training: Supporting owners in their own environment, which can be more effective for practical habits.
Incorporate The Dog House Training Principles At The Dog House, we emphasise positive reinforcement, consistency, and step-by-step progression. Teach owners how to communicate clearly with their puppy, manage behaviours effectively, and set routines that prevent problems from developing.
Set Clear Pricing and Packages
Offer introductory packages for new puppies, such as a 4-week or 6-week course.
Combine training sessions with dog walking or home visits to maximise efficiency.
Market Your Training Services
Highlight your qualifications and experience in your marketing materials.
Showcase client testimonials and puppy progress stories.
Position training as an investment in a well-behaved, happy dog.
Tips for Success
Start Small: Begin with a few clients to refine your approach before scaling.
Focus on Key Skills: Cover essential puppy skills like recall, sitting, socialisation, and bite inhibition.
Communicate Clearly: Provide owners with guidance, handouts, or videos to reinforce learning between sessions.
Track Progress: Keep records of each puppy’s achievements to show tangible results and build credibility.
Warnings & Considerations
Know Your Limits: Only offer training for behaviours you are confident managing. For complex behavioural issues, refer clients to qualified trainers.
Safety First: Ensure the environment is safe for puppies, particularly when socialising with other dogs.
Consistency Matters: Encourage owners to practice regularly—training only works if reinforced daily.
Insurance: Check that your business insurance covers training sessions in clients’ homes or in public areas.
Adding puppy training to your dog walking business is a smart way to increase income, deepen client relationships, and enhance your professional reputation. By incorporating the principles of The Dog House and delivering structured, supportive training, you can become the go-to expert for new puppy owners in your area.
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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