Dog walking is not a hobby – it is a business
- Tori Lynn Crowther
- Jan 24
- 5 min read
Dog walking is not a hobby – it is a business
Dog walking is a profession dominated by women. And that fact alone explains a lot about why the industry is undervalued, underpaid and often disrespected.
Historically, women’s work has been labelled as care, help or something nice to do on the side. Whether it was childcare, cleaning, caring for relatives – or now, caring for dogs – the same pattern repeats. When women do it, it is seen as natural, instinctive and therefore somehow less worthy of proper pay.
This is not accidental. It is structural. And if we want the dog walking industry to be taken seriously, women have to stop reinforcing those structures themselves.
The dangerous myth: “Someone else supports me, so my prices can be lower”
Many women enter dog walking after burnout, redundancy, motherhood, divorce, illness or a desire for flexibility. Often, there is another income in the household. A partner. Savings. Support.
And here’s the hard truth: that should be irrelevant to your pricing.
When women undercharge because they are not the ‘main earner’, it sends a message – to clients, to competitors and to the industry – that this work is worth less. That it is optional. That it is expendable.
But dog walking carries:
Legal responsibility
Safeguarding of living beings
Behavioural knowledge
Physical risk
Emotional labour
Business overheads
Your client is not paying for your personal financial situation. They are paying for your professional service.
If you wouldn’t expect a plumber to charge less because their partner earns well, you should not expect it of yourself.
Low prices do not make you kind – they make the industry weaker
Many women believe low prices are a form of kindness. That charging ‘too much’ is greedy, unfair or exclusionary.
In reality, chronic underpricing:
Drives down industry standards
Attracts clients who do not respect boundaries
Makes sustainability impossible
Forces burnout
Undermines professional credibility
Low prices do not protect clients. They protect a system where women are expected to give more and accept less.
Charging properly is not selfish. It is ethical.
Respect follows boundaries – not niceness
Women are socialised to be agreeable. To avoid conflict. To soften language. To over-explain. To apologise.
In business, this backfires.
Clients respect:
Clear policies
Firm boundaries
Consistent enforcement
Confidence in pricing
Professional language
They do not respect over-accommodation, constant flexibility or emotional labour disguised as ‘good customer service’.
You can be warm and firm. Compassionate and professional. Friendly and non-negotiable.
But respect will never come from being endlessly accommodating.
A business requires leadership – not permission
Running a business means making decisions that will not please everyone.
It means:
Saying no
Enforcing cancellation policies
Charging for your time
Ending unsuitable client relationships
Prioritising sustainability over approval
Women are often taught to seek permission – from partners, clients, peers, even social media – before stepping into authority.
You do not need permission to run your business properly.
You already have the right.
Dog walking deserves professional respect – and that starts with women
Because women dominate this industry, women also shape its standards.
Every time a woman:
Raises her prices
Stops apologising
Enforces a policy
Speaks confidently about her expertise
Treats her work as skilled labour
…the industry shifts.
Dog walking is not a hobby. It is not pocket money. It is not something you do ‘because you love dogs’.
It is risk management, behaviour knowledge, physical work, responsibility and business ownership.
And it deserves to be treated – and paid – accordingly.
Final thought: self-respect is the foundation of professional respect
If you treat your business like a hobby, others will too.
If you undercharge, over-give and shrink yourself, the market will happily let you.
But when women respect their own work – financially, professionally and emotionally – everything changes.
Not overnight. Not without discomfort.
But sustainably.
And that is how real businesses are built.
A note on self-respect and business
This guide assumes one thing: you are running a business, not a hobby.
Women have been taught to minimise their work, soften their boundaries and price themselves around other people’s comfort. That conditioning does not belong in sustainable business ownership.
You are allowed to:
Charge enough to make your business viable
Set and enforce clear boundaries
Expect respect from clients, peers and the industry
Take your work seriously, even when others don’t
Build something that supports you, not just everyone else
Professional respect starts with self-respect. And businesses built on self-respect 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. 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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