The Time-Freedom Myth: What Friends & Family Think Dog Walkers Have vs The Real Reality
- Tori Lynn Crowther
- Jan 22
- 5 min read
The Time-Freedom Myth: What Friends & Family Think Dog Walkers Have vs The Real Reality
Being self-employed often comes with a silver-lining phrase: “You’re your own boss!” That sounds glorious — flexible hours, plenty of time for life outside work, and total control of your diary.
But if you’re a professional dog walker, that idea of time freedom is largely a myth.
Let’s unpack why people believe it, why it’s frustrating, and what you can do to manage both your time and other people’s expectations.
Why People Think You Have All the Time in the World
Friends and family usually mean well. But many haven’t worked in a service-based, client-led business. They often assume:
✔ You can choose your own hours
✖ You’re free in the middle of the day
✖ You can just fit things in whenever
On paper, self-employment looks flexible. In reality, dog walking is driven by when clients need you, not when it suits you.
Most dog walking demand sits firmly between 10am and 2pm — when owners are at work and dogs need exercise, enrichment, and toilet breaks.
That window isn’t optional. It’s the core of the business.
The Reality of a Dog Walker’s Working Day
What others imagine:
Wake up whenever
Walk dogs for a couple of hours
Finish early
What actually happens:
7:30–9:30Messages, route planning, weather checks, equipment prep
10:00–14:00Back-to-back walks to meet client schedules
14:00–15:30Travel, breaks, dog drop-offs, fuel, quick lunch
15:30 onwards Admin: invoicing, client updates, bookings, diary management, marketing, accounts
The walking hours might look short — but the working day rarely is.
Admin doesn’t disappear just because you’ve come home. It often happens when everyone else thinks you’ve finished.
Why This Myth Is So Draining
The frustration isn’t just physical tiredness — it’s invisible work.
When someone says:
“You’re lucky, you don’t work proper hours.”
What they’re really saying (without meaning to) is that your time, effort, and mental load don’t count in the same way.
Running a dog walking business means:
✔ Managing multiple clients
✔ Being responsible for living animals
✔ Planning routes and timings
✔ Communicating constantly
✔ Handling finances and compliance
That’s real work — even if it doesn’t happen at a desk.
Time Freedom vs Time Flexibility
This is where the misunderstanding sits.
Time freedom
✔ You decide when you work
Time flexibility
✔ You decide how you work
✖ Clients still decide when you’re needed
Dog walking offers flexibility in delivery, not in timing. Peak demand is fixed, and everything else has to work around it.
How to Explain This Without Sounding Defensive
A few calm, clear ways to frame it:
✔ “I’m self-employed, but my clients book specific times.”
✔ “My walking hours are fixed — my admin happens outside of that.”
✔ “I run a service business, so my schedule is client-led.”
✔ “Choosing my job doesn’t mean choosing fewer hours.”
You don’t owe anyone a full explanation — but these statements help reset expectations.
Practical Ways to Protect Your Time
1. Block Admin Time Properly
If it’s not in your diary, it gets pushed aside. Treat admin like a booked walk.
2. Set Communication Boundaries
Let clients know when you reply to messages. For example:
“Messages are responded to before 10am and after 3:30pm.”
This reduces pressure to be available all day.
3. Batch Similar Tasks
Group invoicing, scheduling, and content creation together to reduce mental load.
4. Get Comfortable Saying No
You can be kind and firm at the same time:
“I’m fully booked at that time, but I can offer an alternative.”
5. Schedule Rest Like It Matters
Because it does. Recovery time isn’t optional — it’s part of staying professional.
Final Thoughts
Dog walking isn’t a hobby. It’s a client-led, physically demanding, admin-heavy business.
You may love what you do — but that doesn’t mean your time is unlimited or flexible in the way others imagine.
So when someone says:
“You’re lucky — you’re free during the day.”
You can remind yourself:
✔ You work to meet client needs
✔ You manage a real business
✔ Your time has value
And that’s not a myth — it’s the reality.
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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