“Can You Do It Cheaper?”
- Tori Lynn Crowther
- Jun 20, 2025
- 6 min read
A Professional Dog Walker’s Guide to “Can You Do It Cheaper?”
For experienced UK dog walkers who are building sustainable, profitable businesses.
If you’ve been walking dogs for any length of time, you will have heard it all.
From “It’s only a quick walk” to “My last walker charged less”, price pressure is part of running a pet care business. But here’s the truth:
Discounting your service rarely solves the problem. It usually creates bigger ones.
This guide will walk you through:
The most common things people say to get cheaper walks
What they really mean
Why you must stand your ground
How to respond professionally (without burning bridges)
1. “It’s only a quick walk.”
What they mean:
They see dog walking as “just popping out round the block”.
The reality:
A 30-minute walk is never just 30 minutes. It includes:
Travel time
Collection and drop-off
Towel drying muddy paws
Cleaning accidents
Admin, insurance, licences, fuel
Wear and tear on your vehicle
Your professional expertise
You are not selling 30 minutes.
You are selling time, responsibility, safety, and skill.
Professional response:
“My pricing reflects the full service – including travel, insurance, experience and safe handling. I don’t charge by how simple a walk sounds; I charge by the professional service I provide.”
2. “My last dog walker charged less.”
What they mean:
They are price shopping.
The reality:
If they left the cheaper walker, there was likely a reason.
Cheaper often means:
Larger groups
No insurance
No contingency planning
No training knowledge
Burnout and unreliability
You are not in competition with uninsured hobbyists.
Professional response:
“I understand. Prices vary across the industry. My rates reflect the level of service, safety standards and professionalism I provide.”
Then stop talking.
Silence is powerful.
3. “Can you do mates’ rates?”
What they mean:
They want the benefit of your business without paying business prices.
The reality:
Discounting for friends and family:
Devalues your service
Creates awkward expectations
Attracts entitlement
Spreads fast (“She does it cheaper for my friend…”)
Your mortgage company does not offer “mates’ rates”.
Neither does your fuel station.
Professional boundary:
You can choose to gift occasional sessions — but that is a gift, not a negotiated discount.
“I keep my pricing consistent for everyone so that my business stays fair and sustainable.”
4. “It’ll be regular work though.”
What they mean:
They think volume equals discount.
The reality:
Regular work is the backbone of your business — it’s what your pricing is already based on.
If anything, regular slots are more valuable, not less.
Consider:
That 12pm weekday slot?
It blocks other potential clients.
Professional response:
“Yes, I specialise in regular weekday walks. My pricing reflects securing that dedicated slot for your dog.”
5. “It’s just one dog.”
What they mean:
They assume fewer dogs = less value.
The reality:
One dog still requires:
Your time
Your vehicle
Your insurance
Your responsibility
You cannot half-insure a dog.
You cannot half-drive to a house.
6. “I work from home so it’s easier.”
What they mean:
They think convenience for you should mean discount for them.
The reality:
Your overheads remain the same.
Professional dog walking is not priced based on how “easy” the owner thinks it is.
7. “Can we try it cheaper and increase later?”
Red flag alert.
This rarely works in your favour.
Once someone anchors to a lower price:
They resent increases
They question value
They look elsewhere
You train clients how to treat you.
Why Standing Your Ground Matters
1. Cheap Clients Are Often the Hardest Work
Price shoppers are more likely to:
Question invoices
Cancel last minute
Push boundaries
Micromanage
High-value clients value you.
2. Discounting Creates Resentment
When you undercharge:
You overwork
You feel taken advantage of
You burn out
You start disliking clients
Resentment destroys service quality.
3. Your Pricing Reflects Your Standards
Professional dog walkers invest in:
Training and CPD
Secure transport
Council licensing (where required)
Public liability insurance
Backup plans
Behaviour knowledge
You are not charging for “a stroll”.
You are charging for safeguarding someone’s family member.
4. The Right Clients Respect Boundaries
The clients who:
Pay without hesitation
Thank you
Trust your judgement
Stay for years
They are not negotiating pennies.
They are investing in peace of mind.
How to Hold Your Ground (Without Feeling Awkward)
1. Stop Over-Explaining
State your price confidently.
Silence.
Let them decide.
2. Remove Emotion
It’s business, not personal rejection.
3. Use Neutral Language
Avoid apologetic phrases like:
“Sorry, but…”
“I know it’s a lot…”
“I wish I could…”
Instead:
“My rates are…”
“My pricing is structured as…”
“I don’t discount my services.”
4. Be Prepared to Walk Away
Not every enquiry should become a client.
And that is maturity in business.
A Powerful Reframe
When someone asks for a discount, they are not saying:
“You’re not worth it.”
They are saying:
“Can I get more for less?”
That is normal human behaviour.
Your job is not to justify your worth.
Your job is to run a sustainable, profitable, professional dog walking business.
Final Reminder for Professional Dog Walkers
You are:
Responsible for living animals
Managing risk daily
Running a regulated service
Protecting someone’s beloved companion
That is not budget work.
Stand tall.
Price properly.
Serve excellently.
And let the bargain hunters go elsewhere.
A Note on The Dog House, Professionalism & Purpose
This space is written on one clear assumption:
you are a professional, not a casual pet lover with a lead and some spare time.
The Dog House exists because pet care, when done properly, is skilled work. It involves responsibility, judgement, boundaries, risk management, and decision-making — often under pressure and without applause.
Caring deeply does not mean operating loosely.
In fact, the more you care, the more structure you need.
You are allowed to:
• Treat your role as a profession, not a favour
• Expect clients to respect your time, policies, and expertise
• Put systems in place that protect your energy as well as your income
• Talk openly about boundaries, burnout, and business realities
• Acknowledge that loving animals does not mean tolerating poor behaviour from people
• Build a business that fits around your life, not one that consumes it
The Dog House is not about being harsh, cynical, or closed-off.
It is about being clear, grounded, and realistic.
Clarity reduces conflict.
Structure reduces stress.
Professionalism protects everyone — including the animals.
This space is here to support you in doing this work well, ethically, and sustainably, for the long term.
Because pet care businesses built on clarity and self-respect don’t just get by — they last.
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. With over 17 years of hands-on experience in the industry, 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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