Legal and Insurance Requirements for Professional Dog Walkers: What You Need to Know
- Tori Lynn Crowther
- Dec 9, 2025
- 7 min read
Updated: Jan 11
Legal and Insurance Requirements for Professional Dog Walkers: What You Need to Know
As a professional dog walker, your primary concern is ensuring the safety and well-being of the dogs in your care. However, just as important is understanding the legal and insurance requirements that come with running a dog walking business. Whether you're working solo or growing your business, being legally compliant protects you, your clients, and the dogs you care for.
In this blog, we’ll cover the key legal considerations and insurance requirements you need to understand before launching or expanding your dog walking business.
1. Do You Need a Licence to Walk Dogs Professionally?
In most cases, dog walkers do not need a specific "dog walking licence." However, there may be other regulatory requirements depending on where you’re located. These can include:
Local Business Licences: In some areas, you may need to register your dog walking business with your local council or municipality. Check with your local government to see if there are specific permits or business registrations you need.
Pet Services Licences: If you offer other services, like dog sitting or grooming, your area may require you to obtain a special licence. In certain regions, these services may fall under specific animal care regulations.
DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Check: In the UK, some dog walkers are required to undergo a DBS check to ensure they’re fit to work with vulnerable animals and people, especially if you’re working with clients who have special needs or if you have employees or volunteers.
2. Insurance: Why It’s Essential for Dog Walkers
Insurance is a must for any professional dog walker. Not only does it protect your business, but it also provides peace of mind for you and your clients. Here are the main types of insurance that dog walkers should consider:
A. Public Liability Insurance
Public liability insurance protects you in case of injury or damage to a third party or their property while you’re on the job. For example, if a dog in your care causes an accident, like knocking over a pedestrian, or if a dog bites someone during a walk, this insurance covers the legal costs and compensation claims.
Why it’s important:
Accidents can happen even when you're careful, and public liability insurance helps protect your business from the financial fallout of such events.
It’s often a requirement for businesses working in public spaces and dealing with the public.
B. Professional Indemnity Insurance
Professional indemnity insurance covers you if a client feels you’ve made an error or omission in your professional advice or services. While dog walking is typically seen as a hands-on job, if you also provide services like training or advice to clients, this insurance is essential.
Why it’s important:
If a client believes that a mistake you made caused harm to their dog or resulted in an injury or damage, professional indemnity insurance can help cover your defence costs and any compensation.
It’s useful if you’re offering additional services such as behavioural training, advice on dog care, or managing special needs dogs.
C. Dog Walker's Insurance (or Animal Care Insurance)
Some insurers offer policies specifically designed for dog walkers, often combining both public liability and professional indemnity insurance. These comprehensive packages may also include additional coverage for damage caused by dogs in your care (e.g., chewing or damage to property).
Why it’s important:
Tailored coverage for the specific risks involved in your day-to-day activities.
You may also be able to include cover for lost or stolen dogs, transport-related incidents, and more.
D. Employers' Liability Insurance
If you hire staff or even have volunteers helping with your dog walking services, you will need employers' liability insurance. This covers you if an employee becomes injured or ill due to the work they’re doing for your business.
Why it’s important:
It’s a legal requirement in many countries (including the UK) to have employers' liability insurance if you have employees.
It protects your business from potentially hefty compensation claims related to employee injuries.
E. Vehicle Insurance for Dog Walkers
If you use your car or van to transport dogs, it’s important to have the right vehicle insurance. Most standard car insurance policies don’t cover transporting animals as part of your business.
Why it’s important:
You’ll need business vehicle insurance or add-on cover to ensure your vehicle is protected when transporting dogs.
If you’re using a van or larger vehicle, you may want to consider a commercial vehicle insurance policy, which can cover transport-related incidents and injuries.
3. Health and Safety Regulations for Dog Walkers
As a dog walker, your responsibilities also extend to health and safety – both for the dogs and for yourself. You need to ensure that all aspects of your work comply with relevant safety regulations to reduce the risk of accidents or harm.
A. Risk Assessments
Conducting a risk assessment for each walk is vital. This includes evaluating:
The dog's temperament and behaviour: Some dogs may be aggressive or have special needs that require additional precautions.
The walking route: Assess the environment for potential hazards, like traffic, other dogs, or dangerous terrain.
Weather conditions: Be mindful of how the weather (e.g., extreme heat or cold) could affect the dogs in your care.
B. Lead Laws and Animal Control
Be aware of lead laws in the areas where you walk dogs. In some places, dogs are required to be on a lead at all times when in public spaces, while others may allow off-lead walking in certain areas.
Follow local laws: Familiarise yourself with local lead laws and be prepared to enforce them during your walks.
Group walks: If you walk multiple dogs at once, make sure you’re aware of any regulations related to managing multiple dogs at a time, especially in public spaces.
C. Canine Welfare Laws
While not specifically a "dog walker" issue, understanding canine welfare laws in your region can help you ensure that you're acting within the law and prioritising the animals' best interests. For example, many countries have specific regulations concerning the treatment and care of animals.
Know the animal welfare laws in the UK and ensure that you comply with them, including how dogs should be treated during transport, exercise, and care.
Avoiding dog abuse: You’re legally and morally obliged to ensure the dogs in your care are not mistreated, which includes ensuring they are not overworked, exposed to unnecessary stress, or left in unsafe situations.
4. Contracts and Legal Agreements
Having a clear, written contract is vital when running a dog walking business. The contract should outline:
Services provided: Detail the services you’ll offer (e.g., walking frequency, duration, behaviour training, etc.).
Payment terms: Outline pricing, payment schedules, and cancellation policies.
Emergency protocols: Specify what will happen if a dog is injured or becomes ill while in your care.
Liabilities: Ensure both parties understand who is responsible for damages or injuries that might occur during the dog’s time with you.
A contract helps protect both you and your clients and reduces the risk of disputes.
5. GDPR and Data Protection
As a dog walker, you’ll likely be storing personal data about your clients (names, contact information, dog health records, etc.). It’s essential to comply with data protection regulations, like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which governs how personal data should be handled.
Consent: Ensure you have explicit consent from your clients to store their personal information.
Data security: Protect the information you store (e.g., using secure systems and encrypting data).
Right to access: Clients should be able to access the personal information you hold about them and request its deletion if necessary.
Conclusion: Stay Compliant and Protected
Starting and running a dog walking business comes with a host of legal and insurance responsibilities. By ensuring you have the right licences, insurance, and legal agreements in place, you’re not only protecting yourself but also your clients and their beloved pets.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand, understanding and adhering to these requirements will give you the confidence to operate a safe and professional business.
Remember, the best dog walkers are those who are not only passionate about dogs but also take their legal and insurance responsibilities seriously.
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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