HOW TO AUTOMATE DOG WALKING LEADS
- Tori Lynn Crowther
- 16 hours ago
- 5 min read
HOW TO AUTOMATE DOG WALKING LEADS
A Practical Guide for Dog Walking & Pet Care Businesses (UK)
This guide explains:
How to automate dog walking enquiries
What to send out and when
How to stay organised and professional
How to set this up using either Google or Microsoft software
The aim is simple:-> Every enquiry goes into one place-> Nothing gets missed-> Less time on admin, more time walking dogs
1. THE LEAD JOURNEY (OVERVIEW)
Every enquiry should follow the same journey:
A dog owner enquires
Their details are collected automatically
You reply with the right message
You decide if they are a good fit
They are booked in, or politely declined
Automation means:
You set this up once, and the system handles the repetitive admin for you.
2. WHAT YOU NEED (MINIMUM SETUP)
You only need three things to automate leads properly.
1. An Online Enquiry Form
This replaces long message conversations.
Use one of the following:
Google Forms
Microsoft Forms
2. A Lead Tracker Spreadsheet
This stores every enquiry automatically.
Use one of the following:
Google Sheets
Microsoft Excel (saved in OneDrive or SharePoint)
3. A Standard Reply Message
This is the message you send once someone enquires.
Save this in:
Email drafts
Notes on your phone
Outlook or Gmail templates
3. WHAT TO COLLECT IN YOUR ENQUIRY FORM
Your form should collect only the information needed to decide whether a dog is suitable.
Recommended questions:
Owner’s full name
Dog’s name
Dog’s breed
Dog’s age
Postcode
Preferred walking days
Preferred walking times
Email address
Mobile number
“Anything else we should know?” (optional)
Tip: If you do not collect the information here, you will end up asking for it later.
4. WHAT TO SEND – AND WHEN
STEP 1: AUTOMATIC CONFIRMATION (IMMEDIATE)
When the form is submitted:
What happens automatically:
The enquiry is saved to your spreadsheet
You receive a notification
What the client sees:
A confirmation message such as:
“Thank you for your enquiry. We’ll be in touch shortly.”
This reassures the client that their enquiry has gone through.
STEP 2: YOUR PERSONAL REPLY (SAME DAY)
You then send one manual message by email or WhatsApp.
This should include:
A friendly thank you
Confirmation you’ve received their enquiry
What happens next
Example:
Hi Sarah, Thanks so much for your enquiry about walks for Milo — I’ve received your details. I’ll check availability for your area and come back to you shortly with next steps. Speak soon,[Your Name]
This keeps the process personal without adding unnecessary admin.
STEP 3: FOLLOW-UP (IF NEEDED)
If you have not replied within 24–48 hours:
Check your spreadsheet
Update the lead status
Automation helps you clearly see:
New enquiries
Enquiries already contacted
Enquiries still needing a response
5. HOW AUTOMATION WORKS – GOOGLE VERSION
Google Forms + Google Sheets
What happens automatically:
Each form submission adds a new row to Google Sheets
This happens instantly
Typical workflow:
Client completes the enquiry form
The enquiry appears in a “New Enquiries” sheet
A Status column is updated, for example:
New
Contacted
Booked
Not a Fit
Best suited for:
New or solo dog walkers
Simple, low‑maintenance setups
Important rule: Do not change the column order in the form responses sheet.
6. HOW AUTOMATION WORKS – MICROSOFT VERSION
Microsoft Forms + Excel (OneDrive / SharePoint)
What happens automatically:
Microsoft Forms creates a linked Excel file
Each submission appears instantly
Typical workflow:
Client completes the enquiry form
The enquiry appears in Excel under “New Leads”
You track:
Status
Notes
Availability
Outcome
Best suited for:
Growing businesses
Anyone managing bookings, income, or staff
Important rule: Never delete or reorder columns in the responses sheet.
7. WHAT NOT TO AUTOMATE
Some things should always stay human:
Pricing discussions
Behaviour concerns
Meet and greets
Accepting or declining a dog
Automation handles admin, not judgement.
8. COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID
Avoid:
Collecting details in DMs instead of a form
Having enquiries spread across messages, emails, and texts
Moving or renaming columns in the responses sheet
Overcomplicating the system too early
Simple and consistent always works best.
9. RECOMMENDED SETUPS
Simple Setup
Google Forms
Google Sheets
One enquiry sheet
One standard reply message
Structured / Growing Setup
Microsoft Forms
Excel (OneDrive or SharePoint)
Lead status tracking
Separate tabs for clients and bookings
10. FINAL NOTE
Automation is not about being impersonal. It is about protecting your time, energy, and professionalism.
When set up correctly:
No enquiries are missed
Clients feel looked after
Your business runs smoothly, even on busy days
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. 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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