How to Start a Dog Walking Business in the UK

If you love dogs and spend half your life volunteering to walk other people's pets, it's worth asking: could this become a career? The good news is that professional dog walking is a genuinely viable business — and the demand for trusted, reliable walkers has never been higher.

Here's everything you need to know to get started.

Step 1: Get your DBS check

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is a criminal record check that shows potential clients you have nothing to hide. While it's not a legal requirement for dog walkers, it's expected by any serious pet owner and required to list on platforms like Central Barks.

You can apply for a DBS check through the government's website or through a registered umbrella body. An enhanced DBS check costs around £40 and takes one to three weeks to process. It's valid indefinitely but is typically renewed every three years by professional walkers.

Step 2: Get insured

Public liability insurance is essential. It protects you if a dog in your care injures someone, damages property, or is injured themselves. Without it, you're personally liable — and a single incident could cost thousands.

Look for a policy that covers:

• Public liability (minimum £1 million, ideally £2–5 million)
• Care, custody and control of animals
• Loss of keys

Several insurers specialise in pet care businesses, including Cliverton, Protectivity, and PetPlan Sanctuary. Expect to pay between £100 and £200 per year for comprehensive cover.

Step 3: Set your rates

Research local rates in your area. Use Central Barks or local Facebook groups to see what other walkers charge. Don't undercut aggressively — you'll devalue the market and attract clients who'll always want to pay less. Price fairly for the quality of service you offer.

A reasonable starting point for a solo one-hour walk:

• London / South East: £20–£25
• Major cities: £16–£20
• Towns and rural areas: £14–£18

Review your rates after six months once you have experience and reviews to back them up.

Step 4: Sort out the legal and admin basics

You'll need to register as self-employed with HMRC and file a self-assessment tax return each year. Keep records of your income and expenses — mileage, insurance, training, and equipment are all deductible.

You don't need to register as a limited company to start, but it's worth considering once your turnover exceeds around £30,000 per year.

Step 5: Build your client base

Word of mouth is the fastest way to get your first clients. Tell everyone you know that you're offering dog walking services, ask friends with dogs if you can walk their pets for a discounted rate initially, and build up reviews and photos.

Beyond your immediate network:

• List on Central Barks to reach pet owners actively searching for walkers
• Post in local Facebook groups and Nextdoor
• Leave cards at vets, pet shops, and groomers
• Create a simple Instagram profile showing your walks

Step 6: Think about your setup

Before you start taking on clients, think through the practicalities:

• How many dogs will you walk at once? Three to four is manageable for most people starting out. More than six is a lot to handle safely.
• What's your service area? Define a radius you're happy to travel, and stick to it.
• How will you handle keys? A key safe or coded lockbox at the client's home is the cleanest solution.
• What's your cancellation policy? Set this upfront to avoid awkward conversations later.

Using Central Barks to grow your business

Central Barks handles the booking system, payments, messaging, and client management — so you can focus on the dogs. Setting up a profile takes about 20 minutes, and you'll appear in search results for pet owners in your area from day one.

All walkers are verified before listing, which means clients know they're dealing with someone who takes their work seriously. It's a great way to build your reputation fast.