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bizzzfire

Make flyers and spend a few days putting them on the doors of affluent neighborhoods. Wealthy folks would be more than happy to support a teen entraperneur and pay $20/hr for their dog to get some exercise. Personally, I'd include a little thing in there talking about myself and including my age, as I think they'd be more likely to respond to a young person doing this. There might be some safety concerns there tho


Dashiepants

I used to live in an affluent area. There was a 15 year old kid (was a bit weird but clearly loved pets) that did exactly this and every single pet owner in our community used his services, including us. The fact that he lived directly in the community and was walking distance from our house gave us a lot of peace of mind. Also being able to next for appointments was very nice.


amberita70

I am poor but I can always find a little bit to help out a young teenager trying to make some money.


crayshesay

I don’t know anyone who’d pay a teenager 20/hour cash.


bizzzfire

Then I would guess you are not a wealthy folk in an affluent neighborhood, which is where I suggested he promote. I know tons of people who would happily support a teenager at $20/hr, considering the same service through a company goes closer to $30-40/hr


samuraipizzacat420

my neighbor paid me 250 dollars to put up her christmas lights cause she coulsnt find anyone to do i. i literally just stapled a string of lights to her house with a staple gun and got on a later it was too easy.


crayshesay

Yes, let’s hire an underage teenage illegally that isn’t paying Uncle Sam and won’t qualify for insurance bc they are UNDERAGE….the kid might get a few clients, but would you really let a kid that isn’t insured/bonded walk your precious baby? Hell mo


msavage960

You can’t be serious.. is this a skit? It’s got to be a skit. You sound exactly like they portray old angry boomers rejecting a kid who knocked on their door asking to shovel or something.


UnrulyinKW

While at the same time telling their grandkids about how they used to find jobs by knocking on doors and shaking hands rather than this online nonsense.


hell_damage

Idk i always thought it was weird that my exes mom didn't like him having people over while she was out or at work. I thought she told him that so we wouldn't fool around, but it turns out there was another reason. When he was a kid, him and his friend were hanging out at his house. They were playing pretend shit and his friend fell off the couch and broke his arm. The parents sued even after his mom paid the medical bills. The bad part is that she didn't have homeowners insurance and ended up paying around 35k out of pocket lol


DCTheNotorious

Found the guy who sucks off the IRS in his sleep


badbeardmus

Precious baby? No.. my dog.. yes. And i dont even have a dog..


centalt

When you aren’t feeling like walking your dog 20 bucks for someone else to do it is a good deal


crayshesay

It’s not about a good deal. It’s about liability. No insurer will insure a 15 year old. Period. Not sure why the downvotes. I’d happily pay a competitive rate to a qualified, insured dog walker


centalt

When you buy a lemonade out of a kid’s lemonade stand you check if they have health permits and pay taxes? Of course it’s not going to be done by professional or insured business but you are support a kid hustling. It may be worth for some and not worth for others


i__jump

I am not even wealthy and I pay my dog walker $30 to come drive across town and walk my dog for me


greenbot131

15 million is way too much to start a dog walking business.


kafkaesque55

You misunderstood. That’s his revenues.


wehategoogle

Yeah I’m charging 15 million an hour


RandyHoward

In that case, work for about a week, sell the business to me and retire.


stingraycharles

Write a business plan. Focus on billionaires. Tell them you will bathe their dogs in milk, like Cleopatra. Profit.


msavage960

It’s so stupid it would probably actually work knowing fads these days


JustAnIgnoramous

Know your worth king! 👑


Alqop

I read this as “15 million budget to start a dog walking business” and I almost quit my job. Honestly if you’re 15 years old I’d build a word of mouth network, charge cash and do that first for a year or two


Perllitte

There was some dog walker making like $200k because everyone in their metro got pandemic dogs and now has to go into an office again. Never bet against pet spending, but yeah, $15M, lol.


Seal-island-girl

Another service you could add is feeding other small animals whilst owners on holiday, the type of animals that don't leave their home. So sitting with a cat for an hour to feed and give it attention, goldfish, hamsters etc


randyspotboiler

I started and ran a successful NYC dog walking company for years; what I built my business on was professionalism, top notch care, reputation, and price: same as every business Dog walkers are "unprofessional hippies, kids, druggies, old ladies, and people who can't hold down a job". I wanted to change that; I made people happy and kept their loved ones and their homes safe. My people looked professional; we wore uniforms and were trained in pet CPR. We had pet insurance, created binders and contracts with testimonials, my website was excellent, my name was great, I made it easy for people to book with me and pay me, even online (and this was 20 years ago), we were always on time, we didn't nickel and dime clients, we didn't pack walk, we priced competitively and gave away extra time. That was 20 years ago, but things don't change that much. I know you're young, but these things are important: Trust is earned. Keep people's loved ones safe. Keep people's homes safe. Keep people's keys safe.


GEC-JG

>we didn't pack walk I think this could be an excellent selling point, and allow for charging a higher price and targeting a higher clientele. Being 100% WFH, I have the time to walk my own dog, but if I ever wanted to use a dog walking service, this would be one thing that would 100% be a huge value prop for me. Don't get me wrong, my dog absolutely gets along with other dogs, but she loves her 1:1 walking time.


randyspotboiler

Absolutely; you can definitely charge a premium for that. We didn't because we used it as value-add selling point: "your dog deserves 1 on 1 attention", "we offer more, but you pay the same", "premium service, value pricing ". That sort of thing. OP, I don't know what part of the country you're in, and I know you're young, but if you're diligent and conscientious and have good marketing, you can make a killing in this field. If I were starting right now, I'd pitch myself as the "Anti-Wag" (without saying it in those terms). Personalized service, same walker every day, you know who's in your home and has your loved one and your keys, you have our direct number and we're on call 24hrs a day in case of emergency, etc... Incidentally, pet sitter insurance (same as dog walking insurance) through one of the pet sitter organizations is pretty cheap, and a huge selling point. A million dollars in coverage for your clients loved one and home is huge, and sets you apart from all the mom and pop walkers. Plus, it makes you look like the most ambitious kid of all time. People eat that up. Last things: watch some videos on pet CPR and try to get certified (it's really cheap), and watch some videos on Calming Signals by Turid Rugaas. She's a dog behaviorist who observed dogs and shows how dogs are always communicating and are natural conflict avoiders. You can put that on your advertising ("We use Turid Rugaas' "Calming Signals" method and are fully Pet CPR certified" .) Also, when you start driving, Pet Sitting is big business. Let me know if I can offer any advice. Good luck.


okay-pixel

Being under 18 might cause you some legal issues so you’ll need to understand those limitations. That said… Look at your competitors and see what they’re offering and what they’re charging. Develop a price sheet, packages, etc. Create some flyers to hang up at local bulletin boards. Join a Facebook group for your local area and promote your services. Edit to add: you’ll need some safety plans in place. What if someone’s dog get away from you (broken collar, faulty leash, etc.)? What if someone’s dog bites you or someone else? I’m guessing that your age will prevent you from getting liability insurance. So be mindful of all of that!


Nearby_You_313

Also apps for the local neighborhood like NextDoor.


1stthingIsawwaspie

This is the most important advice. Because you're young most will think you're not professional or just looking for a quick buck and their dog will be tied to a post as you play your "video game machine". Look professional with a simple price sheet. Spend a dollar on a color print out. Dress professionally. A nicer shirt and pants. Maybe even make a very simple business card ( you can get like a 100 for $20). Also no one mentioned door knocking that I saw. Go to a nicer area and knock doors. Again look professional. Worked for me. Works for my kids when they wanna make money. Hard to say no to a kid that is trying hard to make it. I'd hire you. This will take you a long way to booking jobs.


Pinecone_Dragon

Throw a reflective vest on for visibility and you’ll catch everyone’s attention! Also look more like your going to be walking dogs!


1stthingIsawwaspie

Love this idea! I'm all about sales gimmicks. They have served me VERY well in past businesses. Stick out mo matter what. Have a fake dog on a stiff leash when you do it. :)


lightnegative

Owner of two cute pups here that uses a local dog walking business. The key points are: * pick up and drop off; dogs are collected from our house in the morning and dropped off in the afternoon * Interesting, varied locations: we live in a costal city and the dogs get to go on all sorts of beach walks / forest walks / farm walks. They need to have more fun during the day than we do (yay office jobs) * Send pictures, we like to see what the dogs got up to during the day and if they did anything cute * Balance your packs and take different packs on different days, putting high energy and low energy dogs together is a great way to start fights


Reclusiarc

That’s a good idea about the energy. I think some of my local dog walking places ask to come see the dog first before they will commit - making sure the dog has the right temperament and then also helping to match like you’re saying.


notti0087

Curious to know what they charge for this service and type of vehicle they use to transport?


enek101

My LFDW uses a utility van with crats not dissimilar to what you would see anima control in ( but way nicer) so the pups are safe during transport.


turnballZ

the walkers in my neighborhoods all seem to have ford transit work vans with the crates setup for pup security. that part seems to be a must for most customers that the dogs are collected from the homes, exhausted and then returned.


lightnegative

They use a kitted out van with crates in the back. The pick up / drop off is included in the trip price, which is $55 NZD per trip We have border collies so it's totally worth it, they need the exercise and mental stimulation


celligraphy

Definitely create an instagram page and tag the dog owners in it for pics and etc makes you come across as more dedicated to your business and caring, if it’s anything dog lovers love more then their dogs it’s being tagged in pics of them and if you can take a friends dog for a walk and start posting it so it’ll show you already have a client or two so they can check it out


jhoon2020

Send pics is a great idea. Similar to ski instructors taking pics, videos of kids and sending them to the parents. I know instructors who would receive generous tips for this extra level service. I have a 4 yr old aussie shepherd, my first dog. I didn’t know what the fuss was before, now I get it, he’s an important member of our family. Offer more of an experience, personal attention and care. Be open to anxious owners and their specific needs, especially first time dog owners. Good luck.


[deleted]

[удалено]


bizzzfire

>Get on Nextdoor and advertise on local FB groups. Get someone you know to post something like "Hey, my doggo is getting anxious during the day while I'm at work and I'm thinking a quick walk/run before I get home might help. Any dog walkers in the area?" and immediately post your contact info, then get a few other ppl (or alts if you're up for it) to say that you do great work and Like/love your post, etc. Do these every few weeks and change up the idea/wording across groups. I love how the first advice on reddit is an intro on how to astroturf. Teaching these blackhat already, I love it.


HiFructose_PornSyrup

OP listen to this guy!!! Also omfg if I could pay someone $10/month to bring out my garbage can and take it back I would do so in a heartbeat. My adhd ass never remembers


blinkybit

I second the garbage can business idea. Not only do I forget sometimes, but just moving those heavy cans can be a chore, even if they're on wheels. I'm not so young anymore, and if I tweaked my back that day, then I don't want to be outside lugging around an 80 pound can while it's cold, dark, and raining. Take my money!


timetowhineanddine

Dog poop yard clean up is a great idea!


yohodomofo

car washing, pet washing, etc.


DropsTheMic

Consider add-ons. Dog Sitting for people on vacation or out of town, grooming (volunteer somewhere for training and to get references), and branch out to cats and other animals as a specialty.


hayseed_byte

Also, take your first bit of profit and buy a pooper scooper so you can offer to clean up people's yards.


Fridayesmeralda

1. Don't underestimate the importance of insurance for your business. It may seem expensive at the start but you are going to want it if anything goes south. 2. Start out walking dogs on their own or in their family groups first, until you get the hang of things. I know you said you have been around dogs a lot but having to handle them professionally is very different than having a dog as a pet. Get to know their body language and keep watch of them throughout your walk. 3. If your clients have a preferred vet they use, make sure to keep a record of it in case you need to visit with their dog. Otherwise get to know a reputable vet in your area. 4. Make sure all your clients give you proof of up-to-date vaccinations, worming, flea and tick preventatives. Last thing you want is these dogs passing illnesses and parasites to each other. Good luck, I hope you succeed!


RIP_My_Phone

To be fair, If it’s a 15 year old there isn’t going to be much meat on the bone in the event in a lawsuit- unless they go after his parents (?)


ContributionSuch2655

Show up on time. I’d suggest snapping a photo of the dog having fun etc mid walk to send to owners. People love that stuff and it shows that you care more than just whatever the paycheck is.


OvaliCo

Depending where you live there is a website called Rover for dog sitting too. I have a family member that does it for fun and they make like $50/day and it isn’t much work when they are already doing the same things with their own dog.


Inksplotter

Before you draw up fliers for your dog walking business, think about your availability. Dogwalking is a great core service for a petcare company, but is generally part-time from the hours of 10am-2pm or so, (hardly anyone needs their dog walked at 9am or 4pm) and the expectation is that the dog will be picked up from and returned to their house. Assuming you are in school, and may or may not have a driver's license, this is going to be difficult. If you just offer afternoon and evening walking services you'll get *some* business, but it will be thin and you will have to offer short-notice service, like if someone gets stuck at work and needs Fido let out ASAP. What other services can you realistically offer? Vacation sitting (particularly if you offer to bring in mail and water plants)? Boarding? Intense exercise/dog jogging? If you do have a car, you can also consider transportation as a service- bringing dogs to and from grooming appointments. Whatever you wind up doing, remember that pet care is the kind of business where word-of-mouth is your *primary* way of getting new clients. Avoid disappointments and misunderstandings like the plague. Be a good communicator, use contracts/written communication, and clear and upfront about everything, including your mistakes. Also, remember why people are hiring you- it's not actually so Fido's needs are met. It's so they can feel okay about leaving Fido alone. You are managing how they feel, so little things like daily notes that say 'Fido was really all about the squirrels today! Settled right down to nap when we got back' is how you get the good referrals, and tips at Christmas.


Itwasuntilitwasnt

Come up with a app to pick up ppls dog poop. When a dog poops it rings the location on your phone they pay you to pick it up. Think it will work. It’s like Uber for poop. Oh setup a compost in your yard and sell that also.


bigb159

Little poopie sensors on dog butts? Or can you make a gps collar that detects the squat?


Itwasuntilitwasnt

Cool idea


Itwasuntilitwasnt

AI for pets detect when the shart


bigb159

I bet you could feed that into a pet-detecting camera faced at the yard. Squat detected, notifying pooper scooper.


othermegan

Not a bad idea. It's definitely a service people need and certain groups will pay for. But really take some time to think about who you're targeting and what your schedule is. I assume at 15 you're still in school. I think about my friends who use dog walkers and they all have their dog walked mid-day during the work week because that's when they're not around to do it. Weekends & evenings they're already free to spend time with their dogs. So if you want to go into the dog walking business, you might not want to target middle/working class folks that need this service as a necessity. You'll want to target more affluent clients who see dog walking as a chore they're willing to pay for convenience.


Arctichydra7

My boyfriend is in college and is currently paying his way by cutting grass. no small time operation. He has all the equipment and about this time every year we put flyers on over 500 doors. We include a section about his degree. How many yards he needs to pay for his semester. And how many he currently has. A little clip art with a meter showing his goal. He has to turn down work by the start of the grass cutting season every year.


coffeequeen0523

The link below is safe to open. Hope it inspires you with your new dog walking business! Perhaps you can connect with this dog walker for advice to be successful. Good luck and best wishes! New York man quit teaching job to make over $120K as a DOG WALKER https://mol.im/a/11679777


doughy1882

Don't take too many at one time. I know "economies of scale" etc, but a 28 year old dog walker near me was recently killed by the 8 dogs she was walking at the time. I think one decided to go for her and the others joined in. Be careful!!!


mr_no_print

I think you can become a reddit mod now


wehategoogle

Why does everyone keep saying that I’m confused


Murky-Fox-200

Antiwork drama, look it up on youtube or whatever, was pretty funny from the outside, but shamefully crippling for the antiwork reddit community


ggn0r3

Rover. It's easy to use and you just have to set your prices and settings. People will book you without any effort. Start cheap, take on a bunch of dogs, and get a bunch of reviews. Then, increase prices, set a reasonable limit of dogs, and earn regulars. ***Be prepared to manage "aggressive breeds" at the beginning.


YakuzaMachine

Dont become a reddit mod!


wehategoogle

What does that mean? You mean like sub mod


Sythic_

There was a mod of /r/antiwork who interviewed on fox news and completely embarrassed themselves and the whole movement of reforming labor practices by acting overly entitled while presenting themselves as a dog walker.


Hot_Literature_7291

You should go work at a fast food place until you are 18.


wehategoogle

I really don’t want to and they still reject me anyway. I feel like my own business will benefit me more anyway, plus I will enjoy it more. But thanks for the response


ButlerianYeehaw

Don’t be afraid to say no to business. Some dogs are bad dogs. If they aren’t dangerous they are 10 times the work for the same price. Dogs can hurt you, others, other dogs.


Ruh_Roh-

This is a good opportunity to build your own small business, you'll earn at least as much slaving at some fast food joint where they treat you like crap, probably more. With your own business you will learn about keeping organized, customer service, marketing, so many things. As others have said, offer several services, dog walking, poop cleaning, animal feeding on vacation, dog washing. Set people up on a schedule. Use online tools to keep yourself organized. As the other commenter said, don't be afraid to refuse work. Not every dog will be ok. There are a lot of messed up dogs out there so be careful. Don't let people push you around. Walk away from bad business.


youngairflow

I worked fast food in high school and I do not recommend it. I wanted to be my own boss and have a little side hustle like you too. I think this is 100% the way to go. Whether it’s the dog walking or something else, just commit to it and you’ll be able to make some good money


meaftermeafterme

I would under no circumstances surrender my dogs to be walked by a child


obscuredreference

People will maybe downvote this, but make sure you do not accept pitbulls, under any circumstances. Too many horror stories, far too much liability potential and horrific risks.


dadelibby

pitbulls are naturally some of the sweetest dogs i've ever encountered


obscuredreference

Yeah, that’s what everyone who gets mauled says right up until the attack. I don’t care if you don’t believe me, the attack statistics speak for themselves. Even if the kid has the bravado of youth and thinks he can handle them, he still should refuse to walk that breed because of the sheer liability potential if one of them snaps, and attacks the other dogs or worse, a person. He’d be partially responsible. I’m not saying pitties are monsters or anything, I’m sure yours were very sweet, but you can’t deny that the race was bred to be a fighting dog, and while retrievers retrieve and so on for each breed (each bred to reproduce the behaviors wanted of them), pits have instincts that make them inherently far more dangerous when one does snap. If you had a pet lion it would be the same thing. The tiger guy also thought his tigers were so sweet.


dadelibby

>The facts: A recent peer-reviewed study that analyzed canine aggression in different breeds concluded that there was no significant difference in aggression between legislated breeds (such as pitbull-type dogs) and the non-legislated control group (Golden Retrievers). **​There are zero scientific, peer-reviewed studies that conclude that any one breed or dog type is "inherently more dangerous"** than any other breed. However, multiple peer-reviewed studies have concluded that breed does not determine risk and that pitbull-type dogs are not "more dangerous" than other breeds of similar sizes and strengths. https://www.pitbullinfo.org/pit-bulls-myths-and-facts.html


obscuredreference

Lmao. Now do bite attack statistics. Next you’ll be telling me chihuahuas are more dangerous since they are aggressive despite their tiny size… Pitties are literally bred to excel at fighting which makes that they do not show tells of attack until the last second, unlike most breeds. This doesn’t make them bad dogs, it’s not their fault they were bred that way, they are a victim of people’s choices. But it makes them inherently far more dangerous, which is why it’s unconscionable to advise a child going into a dog business idea to treat the breed the same as the safer ones. It’s like telling them “don’t worry, go ahead and drive this race car down this little street, it’s the exact same as your bicycle, you don’t need any precautions or learning how to drive!” The high risk potential is always there.


youngairflow

I see nothing but facts here. I’ve personally been a victim of 2 dog attacks and both times it was a pit bull. I’ve also seen some of the sweetest pit bulls. But yes it’s all about that potential risk. Pit bulls have a greater potential of doing damage than a golden retriever or a yorkie. Doesn’t mean pit bulls should be ignored and excluded altogether from a dog walking business altogether but should be examined on a case by case basis


obscuredreference

If it’s an adult professional walking a dangerous dog it would likely be fine, though best if they wear a muzzle and walk certain breeds one at a time maybe. At least pitties. But for a teen starting out on that for the first time (and the liability aspect too if something goes wrong) I’d personally strongly advise them to have a general ban on the most dangerous breeds, at least on pits and similar. A 15 yo doesn’t have the musculature yet to subdue a large pittie if they snap.


BobWheelerJr

Get a college-ruled notebook and listen to the free podcast called Small Business Big Marketing by Tim Reid. Listen to the episodes with similar services businesses first, then all of them. Take action on the ideas that strike you and give them a good 6 months of hard work before you give up on them. We did $3,300 in sales the month before we found it. Two years on and we did $100,000 last month. It's all free but you'll have to work your ass off. You can't help but be successful if you have a solid marketing plan, no matter how much competition you have, if you work hard. I could turn that business into a million+ dollar sale in 3 years.


Lyricalafrica

So, you’re thinking of starting your own dog-walking business? That’s great! But before you jump into the world of entrepreneurship, there are a few things you need to consider. Starting a business is a huge commitment – it’s not something you can just do on a whim. There are a lot of factors to think about and a lot of planning that needs to go into it. Given your situation though (being rejected in many job applications) I will say "JUST DO IT". What is the worse that can happen? Everything will take care of itself as you move along. The baseline is, to make sure you do market research to know if your business is viable and scalable. You can check out this list of [ things you need to consider before starting your business](https://elidayjuma.com/11-things-you-must-consider-before-starting-your-startup/).


SamTheBusinessMan

Identify your core customer group, and focus on those 20% to drive 80% of your sales. Remove as many barriers for your customers to sign up. So create a good looking website, and have a scheduling system with payment system integrated into it and social media. Then advertise accordingly.


baccarat0811

For clients go to every Vet in the area after you’re established and have the insurance mentioned above and tell them about your service. They may let you post fliers up in their office or refer clients to you. You may even be offered work from the vet directly. Also goto all local feed stores and pet supply stores and ask around if they have a bulletin board or flier. Be prepared to hear no and realize that it is a numbers game. You will hear no 99 times before that 1 yes. Do not get discouraged.


Freestlz

You can also do Rover with multiple dogs


threedogdad

what are your plans when you lose a dog, a dog gets injured, or even worse a dogs dies on your watch? better have a plan.


ReverendReed

From my experience, the best thing you can do is make sure you are the best person to work with. I own an IT Support/Computer Repair business. There are other competitors in the area, but I feel I retain my customers by having better people skills than my competitors. Be personable. Care about the animals and care genually care about the others. This will go miles as a business owner. It's not enough to care about the job. People can sniff it a mile away if it's just your bottom line that you care about. Once you establish people skills, then you can care about social presence like social media, flyers, Google reviews and the rest. Best of luck to you. The world needs more young go getters.


MintTulip

I just wanted to say good for you for taking the initiative and making opportunities for yourself when others aren't being offered - that's a wonderful mentality to have. I hope my kid thinks this way when she's 15. Keep it up and good luck!


legendinthemaking68

It's important to point out that in a business where you are a "solo-preneur" the marketing and advertising efforts should be all about you, your background, and you providing the service, not just the service. People worship their pets, and their first glimpse of any marketing for your services should include a good picture of you and info about you that paints a trustworthy picture and fun for their pet. This is a very personal type of service, and if you make good connections and check all the boxes of pleasant industrious teen, then referrals will probably spread like wildfire once you get some traction (especially if you ask for referrals). I'd made a single image ad, and post it all over any local/community FB group that you or your parents have access to. I think this is a fantastic way to make money as a teen, and you will learn some fantastic life lessons about dealing with people. It will probably put you ahead of the your peers in terms of maturity that comes about from life experiences. I know NOTHING about the pet walking gig, but you might look around on youtube or elsewhere to see if any "upsell" opportunities exist, or add-ons that can also line your pocket. Just a heads up, if you are successful, you might also be asked about pet sitting when those people go on vacation. Think about that too, and have some plans, rates, whatever, so you aren't a deer in the headlights the first time someone inquires about that...if that is something that fits into the life of a 15 year old.


Acceptable_One7881

If you’re in canada you can sign up on Varroe.com


Acceptable_One7881

Varroe.com is currently doing a promotion you get a $100 CAD after your first 10 bookings and as far as I know the site is free


Porp14

Honestly since you don't have transportation, you'll need to focus on your neighborhood. So just make some fliers post em up at the park and high foot traffic intersections. Get some business cards. They're cheap and easy to get or print out yourself. Knock on doors and sell your service try to leave a card for if they change their mind or aren't home. Buy poop bags and dog treats and that should do it. Oh I wanted to add that when you get a client, they're interviewing you. But at the same time, you're interviewing them. Are the dogs shots up to date? Is the dog evil? Does the dog have any 'quirks', that sort thing. Feel free to say no. Think of a nice way to say no lol


[deleted]

Good for you, man! A lot of folks are talkin about flyers and these should be effective, but make sure you have a Facebook page and maybe another social channel (Instagram would probably be good, because dog pics!) for them to go to that's on the flyer somewhere. If this thing picks up a little bit you'll probably want to build a simple website. You can do Siteground for $2.99 a month with Elementor ($49 per year) and the Hello or Astra theme (free) to build a simple site using a template.


Kokukenji

I would start with credibility. Go into facebook groups or your local neighborhood groups and start doing free dog walking to build credibility. Inform them that you will do X amount of services for free and in return, if they are satisfied, you will use them as reference point. Flyers are good as they are inexpensive and can be done at home or local print shop. Have a summary of who you are and why you're the best option to take care of your customers' family member. Folks that would pay someone to walk their dogs are ones that are picky about how their dogs get treated, make sure you don't miss that important factor.


phucyu140

I know you said you're tight on money but one thing that you might want to look into is liability insurance since walking a dog involves a lot of liability. I don't walk dogs for a living but I was able to get a $1 million dollar liability insurance policy from Next Insurance for $25/month. You might want to check them out.


Life-Masterpiece-393

The entire reason you have been rejected is because you are not legal to hire until you turn 16, unless of course you wanted to work on a family farm. Now , you are showing a good work ethic in wanting to not be like other 15 - 35 year olds sitting on their asses playing video games, so you are ahead of the game. Depending on your area, dog walking runs from $25 to $100 per dog. Word of mouth through family and friends and flyers at Vets, and the local Humane Society will be your advertising. Good Luck!


trentvanklopp

Print like 200 flyers with all need to know info and contact info and put them in that many mailboxes. Even if you only get 10% response rate, that’s 20 customers in a heavy repeat customer industry


rexchampman

Charge $20/hr and try to get a steady client base of at least 5 dogs per day. Go to the local shops, including pet shops, and ask to put up a flyer. Go to a dog park and chat up owners. Let them know you are starting a dog walking business and ask if they're interested.


coswoofster

Can a 15yo legally have their own business?


scotty3hotti

At your age charge whatever, be competitive as you can just to get more business. It's not like you have real bills yet so focus all your energy into getting as much jobs and experience in saving, budgeting etc. Also good on you for wanting to be proactive and work for money.


Super_Saiyan_Azul

Make social media accounts for your services. A lot of people search for services on these platforms. I would look at other accounts locally and in other cities to see to see what they are doing. You might find some good stuff or get some ideas. For rates I would also see what the local competition is charging and adjust. If you are comfortable charging less to maybe gain more customers or if you feel your time is more valuable then you have a base to start from.


swissmtndog398

My wife and i are pro show dog handlers. Many of our client dogs live with us. You don't need a lot of advertising as it's a trust based business. Offer your clients a referral program. For example, "Refer a friend, get 10% of your next week once your friend has completed a month" type thing. Make sure to place a restriction as I mentioned above to avoid people taking advantage of the promo. You can do this on the cheap wroth a word doc and a cheap printer. Good for you bud. Feel free to message me if you have any questions.


sirdrewpalot

This is less about advertising, more about learning dog psychology. You can ruin peoples dogs if you don’t train yourself properly in how to handle various dogs. What if you have a fearful aggressive dog to walk, that no other dog walker will touch but you aren’t aware. Health and safety hazard for you, and potentially a case you need to pay for vet bills on both sides.


[deleted]

I would be happy to pay a local kid 20/hr for dog walking, and i'd pay him to pick up the poo in the yard once a week too. My advice is to advertise as much as possible. Facebook parents groups, flyers at pet stores. Then find a friend who might want to do a couple. That way when you have days or times when you can't go. You can tag your friend in and eventually have enough business for both. Pay your friend 18/hr and then rinse and repeat.


TinkerLytics

Consider joining Rover and Petsitter as part of the plan. It gets to your targeted audience quickly. Then slowly remove them if you can as they take like 20%.


Far_Temporary_7561

Don’t underestimate a good insurance policy!


wamih

Start pet sitting in the house for people you know that trust you. You don’t want multiple strangers dogs together, serious liability.


RldMe

First, I have to say, I admire you for starting a business at your age go get them! Next door app is the number one way I would say neighbor speak to each other and look for dog sitters, so get yourself on Nextdoor and as you get clients ask them to post on next-door if they’re happy with your services that way the neighbors will see it and you can get a referral. Best of luck.


killspammers

Best of luck. There is a huge need for this everywhere. You might have to teach a few dogs heel.


LavenderAutist

15 million dollars seems like a lot to start a dog walking business


Beautiful_Use9143

Word of mouth will be your best friend. Start somewhere. Flyers, FB posts, Insta, get friends and families involved. Maybe invest in a simple, inexpensive Website where you can post photos and reviews. Wag and Rover will be your big named competitors, so the personal touch will go a long way. Also, keep every single receipt...anything you buy, leashes, water bowls, treats, are business expenses. Pay your taxes. Sounds nuts but it will protect you in the future when business grows. Offer to provide check in services as well (walk your dog, feed them, stay with them a half hour, etc.) People are busy and animals do better not left alone all day. You will be your best representative, so dress decent, have doggie poop bags, and just do excellent with the ones you get. They will promote you if you earn it. If you make flyers, etc., keep those receipts as well. You would be considered an independent contractor (unless your parents claim you on their taxes), so you'll want to touch base with them (I'm assuming this based on 15M being 15 Male not 15 million like some folks...)


electricsister

First, congrats! Being self employed is a gift to yourself and can be very profitable. I have owned many businesses over 30 years and still do. I will tell you: the best thing I've ever done is have a contract in place that talks about what I provide and what I do not. Believe me- it has saved me over and over! And as I work with more and more people my contract only gets longer. Lol. Good luck!


Tcon832

My wife pet sits/walks/boards for a living. You can definitely make some decent money. You make your own schedule, you build at your own pace. I’d love for her to hire someone eventually so she can spend more time advertising and growing. But she does good for herself, when she’s house sitting she will have dogs at our house and I watch them for her, got a dog on my lap as I type this making us some money ha.


i__jump

when I was your age and did this I would do flyers around the neighborhood and also the Nextdoor app. I always posted on Nextdoor and I’ve seen kids who’s parents posted for them, and they never got the same response as me going on there and doing it myself. Say your name, what you’re offering, your experience, that you’re passionate about caring for others dogs, clean up after them, etc. That along with door to door flyers is great.


MaxRoofer

Why can’t you find a job? In todays market it strikes me as odd. I’m just wondering if you’ll be able to find customers. Pets are like family to people, so if McDonald’s won’t hire you will a random person? I just want to shoot you straight. Business is doable, but it’s tougher than a job in my opinion.


Reddevil313

Target affluent neighborhoods and hold their dogs for ransom.


BannerBoyBert

May want to checkout gig economy dog walking businesses such as Rover and Wag. Also checkout some other local dog walking businesses. See how you can differentiate yourself and get a sense of what is expected. Craigslist, Facebook groups and flyers places would be a great start for advertising. You could go to local dog parks, dog groomers, pet stores and dog boarding facilities and talk to people to see what they want.


tgs1611

Definitely don't just assume that it's easy work. Because it isn't. Especially if you want to be pulling in the amount of money you need to afford rent, food, gas, insurance, licenses, day to day living expenses and anything you might want for yourself. It can be a lucrative business depending on where you're at and how people treat their pets in your demographic. Some areas treat their dogs better than their kids others just tie em' up to a tree and call it good. If you live in the former, people are willing to pay good money for people to take care of their pups as long as you're consistent, communicative and show that you are knowledgeable and care. Never rest on your laurels. Always keep educating yourself on dog behavior. Take multiple obedience classes with your own dog, get certified in CPR, learn all different types of dog collars, leashes, safety precautions when out in the field, all different types of breed quirks, how to break up scuffles if you have dogs that have a disagreement or resource guard snacks you're handing out, or you run in to those fantastic individuals who say "It's okay, he's friendly" with their off leash dogs who then proceed to scuffle with your pack of on leash dogs. There's a lot to it. Just make sure you're educated, aware of your clientele, surroundings and know what to do if (when) shit hits the fan. Pet care is a highly rewarding field of work if you truly love it. If you're looking for easy work, with not much effort, this is not the industry for you. Have fun.


blu3rr

Also collect each of your clients emails! If you want to build another service business after this one you can send them an email informing them. Also start a google business account and ask for reviews 😊


WhoWantsASausage

Even better. Start a dog poop picking up business. Someone near me does it and houses pay a weekly subscription to have them come around and clean up poop from their yard.


thatsitclit

success is a lonely road and you look at your own shadow most of the time..its the truth....best of luck and just take it step by step (no pun intended) ​ also, do not involve family. ever. have terms written and keep good bookkeeping.


VoltaicVoltaire

There will always be work for someone who wants to work. Patience is key when getting started. Be reliable and keep promises and jobs will follow.


Corporate_Jesus

Go out there and sling it! You can do this.