Pricing for Experienced Dog Walkers: How to Charge Sustainably and Protect Your Business Long Term
- Tori Lynn Crowther
- Jan 27
- 6 min read
Pricing for Experienced Dog Walkers: How to Charge Sustainably and Protect Your Business Long Term
Pricing is one of the most important — and most misunderstood — aspects of running a professional dog walking business. For experienced dog walkers, pricing is no longer about “getting started” or matching local competitors. It is about sustainability, professionalism, and long-term viability.
Many established dog walkers find themselves busy but underpaid, exhausted but unable to take time off, and quietly absorbing rising costs year after year. This is rarely due to lack of skill or demand — it is almost always a pricing issue.
This guide explores how experienced dog walkers can price properly, protect their income, and build a business that lasts.
Why Pricing Matters More Once You’re Established
When you are experienced, your pricing decisions affect more than just your own income. They influence:
Client expectations
Industry standards
Your ability to stay in the profession
The consistency of care for the dogs you look after
Underpricing at this stage doesn’t just limit growth — it actively puts pressure on your health, finances, and motivation.
Professional pricing allows you to:
Deliver consistent, high-quality care
Plan for illness, holidays, and emergencies
Reduce physical strain over time
Remain reliable for clients long-term
Understanding the True Cost of Running a Dog Walking Business
Experienced dog walkers often underestimate how much their costs have increased over time because many expenses rise gradually.
Your pricing must fully cover:
Fixed and Variable Business Costs
Insurance renewals and increased cover levels
Vehicle fuel, servicing, MOTs, tyres, repairs, tax and insurance
Replacement of leads, harnesses, coats, crates, towels, enrichment toys
Cleaning products, disinfectants, laundry costs
Booking software, payment processing fees, accounting tools
Mobile phone, data plans, website hosting and maintenance
If your prices have not changed in line with these costs, your profit has already been shrinking — even if your diary is full.
Pricing for Expertise, Not Just Time
At an experienced level, clients are not paying for a 30- or 60-minute walk. They are paying for:
Safe group management
Behavioural awareness and risk assessment
Decision-making under pressure
Emergency handling and communication
Reliability and consistency
Your experience reduces risk, protects dogs, and gives clients peace of mind. That value must be reflected in your pricing.
The Hidden Labour Experienced Dog Walkers Often Forget to Charge For
As systems become routine, unpaid labour becomes invisible.
This often includes:
Client communication outside working hours
Ongoing dog assessments and behavioural monitoring
Route planning and logistics
Incident documentation and follow-ups
Training dogs into routines
Admin, invoicing, scheduling and problem-solving
A useful exercise is to track one full working week, including evenings and weekends. Many experienced dog walkers discover they are working far more hours than they are charging for.
If your pricing does not pay for this time, resentment builds — and burnout follows.
Building Profit Into Your Pricing (Without Guilt)
Profit is not optional. It is what allows your business to function when life happens.
Every walk should contribute towards:
Paid holidays
Sick leave
Emergency funds
Vehicle replacement
Equipment upgrades
Professional development
If your business cannot survive two weeks without you physically working, your pricing model is too fragile.
Planning for Holidays, Illness and Emergencies
Experienced dog walkers know that cancellations, illness, and breakdowns are not “if” scenarios — they are “when”.
Professional pricing includes:
A buffer for time off
Financial protection during illness
Flexibility when vehicles need repair or replacement
This planning should be built quietly into your pricing, not dealt with through panic, guilt, or overworking.
When and How to Increase Prices Professionally
Price increases are a normal part of running a business. Avoiding them out of fear often causes more damage than implementing them calmly.
Best Practice for Price Reviews
Review pricing annually
Give clear notice periods
Communicate confidently and professionally
Avoid apologising for running a sustainable business
Frame price increases around:
Rising operating costs
Continued investment in safety and service quality
Maintaining a reliable, professional service
Clients who value your service understand this. Those who don’t are rarely your ideal long-term clients.
Stop Competing on Price and Start Competing on Standards
Experienced dog walkers do not need to compete with new entrants on price. Doing so undermines your expertise and confuses clients.
Instead, be clear about:
Group size limits
Assessment processes
Consistent routines
Policies, contracts and boundaries
Professional communication
Clients who choose based on standards are more loyal, respectful, and sustainable.
The Problem with Long-Term “Loyalty Pricing”
Keeping long-standing clients on outdated rates may feel kind, but it often creates hidden inequality within your business.
Better alternatives include:
Small annual increases for all clients
Clear pricing tiers reviewed regularly
Adding value rather than reducing cost
Consistency is fairer — and protects the business clients rely on.
Pricing With the Future in Mind
Dog walking is physically demanding. Experienced professionals need pricing that allows for change over time.
Your pricing should support:
Reduced group sizes if needed
Fewer walks at higher margins
Delegation or subcontracting
A gradual reduction in physical workload
If your prices force you to work at maximum capacity forever, your business has no long-term exit plan.
Common Pricing Mistakes Experienced Dog Walkers Make
Keeping prices the same “because they always have been”
Absorbing rising costs instead of passing them on
Competing with beginners on price
Undercharging loyal clients for years
Not reviewing pricing regularly
All of these slowly weaken otherwise strong businesses.
Final Thoughts: Professional Pricing Protects Everyone
Experienced dog walkers do not charge more because they can — they charge more because they must.
Your pricing reflects:
Your responsibility
Your experience
Your professionalism
The stability your clients depend on
Charging sustainably is not about greed. It is about longevity, fairness, and care — for yourself, your clients, and the dogs.
A business that is priced properly is one that lasts.
A Note on Wellbeing, Professionalism and Support
Everything at The Dog House is built on one clear belief: you are a professional, not just “someone who walks dogs”.
Your wellbeing is not optional, and it is not selfish. Professional dog walking is physically demanding, emotionally draining, and mentally taxing work. Without support, clarity, and strong boundaries, burnout becomes inevitable — no matter how much you love the dogs.
You are allowed to:
Prioritise your physical health, rest, and recovery
Protect your mental health from stress, overwhelm, and constant availability
Create financial stability that reduces pressure and anxiety
Set boundaries and say no to work, clients, or situations that undermine your wellbeing
Build a business that supports your life, rather than consumes it
Wellbeing is not something you earn after years of overworking. It is the foundation that allows you to work consistently, confidently, and professionally for the long term.
The Dog House exists to support that foundation. It is a space for professional dog walkers who want clear guidance, realistic business education, and community support — without hustle culture, guilt, or burnout being treated as normal.
You do not have to figure everything out alone. Sustainable businesses are built with the right knowledge, the right boundaries, and the right support around you.
If you want to stop guessing and start building a sustainable dog walking business, The Dog House is ready when you are.
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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