Setting up a dog-walking business in Canada isn’t as complicated as you may think. However, there are a few necessary steps to take in order to set up your dog-walking business correctly.
In Canada, you don’t need a federal or provincial/territorial license to be a dog walker. However, you might need to be licensed at the municipal level – especially if you live in a highly populated city.
For instance, you need a permit if you plan to walk dogs on a commercial basis in Toronto, and you can only walk up to 6 dogs at a time. A commercial permit is required for anyone walking more than 3 dogs — even if that person is the owner (excluding a service animal, if required).
If you live in a city where a permit is required, you’ll also likely be required to hold business-level general liability insurance to cover the cost of damage to people and property (and you must include the city as one of the insured parties). Acquiring a permit may also require:
You don’t need any formal training or educational qualifications to start a dog-walking business. But, if you have qualifications in fields such as animal first aid, animal behaviour or veterinary care, this could enhance your reputation in the eyes of customers and build your business more quickly.
The exact requirements for registering your dog-walking business vary depending on where you live. In fact, you may not even be required to obtain a business registration number. You only need a federal business registration number if you plan to incorporate your business or need to open a CRA program account (for example, to collect GST/HST or deduct income tax, CPP and/or EI from your employees’ payroll).
Check with your provincial/territorial and city governments to find out if registration is required at these levels.
Your business type determines how much tax you’ll pay on the money you make and how personally liable you’ll be for business debts.
Here are your main options in Canada:
Incorporating is more expensive and complicated to set up. If you’re launching a dog-walking business, you may not see it as worth the hassle. You could launch as a sole proprietor or partnership, then incorporate later.
Setting up a business bank account is easy — and usually a required first-step for many small businesses. Depending on the bank and business account you require, you can either apply online, in person or over the phone. The process is similar to opening up a regular chequing or savings account, but may require a bit more paperwork — such as business licence or insurance documentation. Compare some popular small business bank accounts below.
Most small business owners will find it essential to invest in the following types of insurance:
Some insurance companies offer dog-walking insurance, which protects you against all of these potential outcomes, while also covering the cost of lawsuits if a dog gets hurt or injured in your care. To get insurance tailored for dog walkers, you may need to ensure the dogs you walk are vaccinated and that you have a record of each one’s medical history.
Unless you plan to apply for financing, you don’t need to create a business plan top start a dog-walking business. But doing so can still be helpful. Laying out your plan clearly will allow you to spot potential obstacles to your success or reasons why you might want to reconsider starting a business or explore other options.
A great business plan should include:
Things change quickly in the world of business, so you might want to review and amend your business plan at least once every three months.
On average, dog walkers in Canada make between $10 and $40 per walk. 30 minute walks will be on the lower end of the pay scale, and walks lasting an hour or more will cost on the higher end. Dog walking in more populated cities like Toronto or Vancouver typically cost more than the same services performed in suburban regions.
As with any service-based business, the amount you charge may can potentially be adjusted based on the demand for your services or the amount of competition in your local region. If you offer a better service, have more experience and/or qualifications, you may be able to ask for more.
You can bring in a little extra business by offering related services such as letting dogs out for potty breaks when their owners aren’t home, visiting pets to play with them and keep them company and handling pets at major events such as weddings. These services will need to be individually priced, with smaller services costing at, or around, minimum wage and more complicated or time-consuming services costing up to hundreds of dollars.
Consider offering a discount for second and third pets in the same household, although you should make sure the money you’re making covers your costs and adequately rewards you for your efforts.
Here are some great ideas for marketing your dog-walking business.
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