How to Become a Dog Walker in the UK(Complete 2026 Guide)
Dog walking is one of the best self-employed careers in the UK right now — flexible hours, time outside, no boss, and you spend your days with dogs. Here's exactly how to start, what you actually need (it's less than you think), and how to earn a proper living from it.
£32K/yr
Avg full-time earnings
< £200
Start-up cost
None required
Formal qualifications
Under 1 week
Time to first client
Dog walking as a career has exploded in the UK. The pandemic created a generation of dog owners who kept their pets after returning to work, and most of them genuinely need help. In 2025 alone, UK spending on pet services crossed £3.8 billion — and dog walking sits right at the heart of it.
The best part? The barriers to entry are minimal. You don't need a degree, a licence or years of experience to start. You need to be reliable, good with dogs, and willing to put in the groundwork to find your first clients.
This guide covers everything: the legal requirements, insurance, DBS checks, pricing, finding clients, and — critically — how to make sure you're keeping as much of your earnings as possible.
Step 01
Check the legal requirements (there aren't many)
The UK has no licensing regime for dog walkers — anyone can start tomorrow. But if you walk more than 3 dogs at once from a single household, or if any of the dogs have bitten someone, some councils require an Animal Activity Licence under the 2018 Animal Welfare regulations. Most dog walkers never trigger this threshold.
What you do need to know: you're classed as self-employed (unless you join an agency), so you'll need to register with HMRC within 3 months of starting. National Insurance and income tax apply above the personal allowance (£12,570/year).
Step 02
Get the right insurance
Public liability insurance is the single most important thing you can get. It covers you if:
A dog you're walking injures a person or another animal
The dog causes property damage (knocked-over bins, scratched cars)
A dog escapes your care and causes an accident
Good providers: Cliverton, PetPlan Business, Agria, or check through NARPS UK (National Association of Registered Pet Sitters). Expect to pay £8–20/month depending on coverage limits. Some policies include "Care, Custody and Control" cover for veterinary fees if a dog is injured while in your care — worth having.
Key insurance tip: Some insurers require proof of qualifications or a canine first aid certificate to offer lower premiums. A £60 first aid course can save you money on insurance and looks excellent to clients.
Step 03
Get a DBS check
A DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check isn't legally required for dog walkers, but it's become an expected industry standard. Pet owners are handing you house keys and trusting you with family members — a DBS check signals you take that seriously.
You can apply for a Basic DBS check directly at gov.uk/request-copy-criminal-record. Cost: £18. Turnaround: usually 2–5 days. It lasts indefinitely (though many clients and platforms require one no older than 3 years).
Some platforms (including UrPetPals) perform ID verification as part of onboarding. If you plan to be on a platform, check whether they handle DBS or you need to provide one.
Step 04
Consider qualifications (optional but valuable)
You don't need a degree or formal qualification to walk dogs. But these credentials will let you charge more and win more clients:
Pet First Aid Certificate — Essential. A half-day course (£60–100) teaching CPR, choking, bleeding and emergencies. Clients notice this on your profile. Providers: Canine Care Ltd, Dogsnet, or local vet-endorsed courses.
Level 2 Certificate in Animal Care — City & Guilds or equivalent. Shows professional commitment. Often 6–8 weeks, £200–400, through colleges or online.
Dog Behaviour Courses — Understanding anxiety, aggression and reactivity makes you significantly safer and more effective. Especially valuable if you plan to walk reactive dogs or offer more complex services.
NARPS UK Membership — The industry body for professional pet sitters and dog walkers. Membership (£35–65/year) includes public liability insurance access, business resources and a listing in their directory.
Step 05
Decide what services to offer
Dog walking is the core, but most successful pet care businesses offer a range of services:
| Service | Typical UK rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Solo 30-min walk | £13–18 | Most common entry service |
| Solo 60-min walk | £20–28 | Your highest-margin service |
| Group walk (2–4 dogs) | £10–15/dog | Higher volume, lower per-dog rate |
| Drop-in visit | £12–18 | Feeding + check-in, no walk |
| Pet sitting (in client's home) | £30–55/night | High value, requires trust |
| Dog boarding (in your home) | £25–45/night | Needs Animal Activity Licence if regular |
Starting out: Offer solo walks first. Build trust, collect reviews, then expand. Don't try to do everything at once.
Step 06
Set your prices
Research your local market before setting prices. Check what other walkers in your area charge on Google, Facebook, and local pet care platforms. For most UK areas in 2026:
Solo walk: £15–22 (30 min) / £22–30 (60 min)
Group walk: £12–16 per dog (30–60 min)
Drop-in visit: £12–18
When starting, price competitively (but not suspiciously cheap). A solo 60-min walk at £20 in a mid-sized city is reasonable for someone building a client base. As you accumulate reviews and become established, you can raise rates by £2–3 every 6 months.
Don't undercut yourself. Charging £8 a walk attracts clients who don't value the service — and burns you out. Charge what your time and expertise are worth.
Step 07
Find your first clients
The fastest way to your first 5 paying clients:
1. Join UrPetPals — Clients search for walkers in your area and you appear immediately. Unlike Rover, UrPetPals only takes 18% commission (Rover takes 40%), and your first 10 bookings are completely free. Post your profile today at urpetpals.com/providers/join.
2. Local Facebook groups — Post in neighbourhood groups, dog owner groups and local buy/sell groups. Be specific: "Dog walker available in [your area] — solo walks, ID verified, insured." Include a photo of yourself with a dog if possible.
3. Nextdoor — The hyperlocal nature makes it excellent for pet services. Post in your neighbourhood and be genuinely neighbourly in tone.
4. Vets and pet shops — Most will let you pin a business card or flyer. Design a simple A6 flyer (or use the free template at urpetpals.com) with your name, services, price range, and a QR code to your profile. Drop 10 flyers at 5 local vets and Pets at Home.
5. Word of mouth — Tell everyone you know you're starting. The phrase "I've just started dog walking — do you know anyone with a dog?" works better than any advert. Your first 3 clients will likely come from your existing network.
Step 08
Set up the practical side
Before your first walk:
Equipment checklist:
Extending leads × 2 (for different dog sizes)
Standard leads × 2 (for nervous/reactive dogs — better control)
Poo bags (bulk buy — you'll go through hundreds)
Treats (ask each owner what's appropriate for their dog)
First aid kit (or carry your phone number for the nearest 24hr vet)
Foldable water bowl and small bottle of water
A secure carrier bag for any dog that bolts
Your phone setup:
UrPetPals provider app for walk tracking and photo updates
A folder per dog: emergency vet contact, feeding notes, any health conditions, owner mobile
Start of each walk: Confirm with the owner that you've collected the dog. End of each walk: Send a photo update or brief message. This is what separates professionals from casuals — and it drives reviews.
Step 09
Build your reputation and scale
Your first 10 walks are the most important of your career. This is when you build the foundation:
Ask for reviews after every walk. UrPetPals automatically sends a review request when you mark a walk complete. On Nextdoor or Facebook, a personal "Did you enjoy the walk today? Would you mind leaving me a quick review?" message works brilliantly.
Be consistent. Start times, communication style, photos sent — consistency builds trust faster than anything else.
Refer-a-friend. Ask satisfied clients if they know anyone else with a dog. One loyal client who recommends you to 3 neighbours is worth more than 10 platform enquiries.
Raise rates carefully. After 3 months and 20+ reviews, increase by £2–3 per walk. Existing clients rarely leave over a small price increase if they trust you.
Step 10
Which platform to use — UrPetPals vs Rover
Once you're set up and ready to take bookings, joining a pet care platform is by far the fastest way to find clients. The platform does your marketing for you — you focus on the walks.
But not all platforms are equal. The commission structure will have a bigger impact on your annual earnings than almost any other decision you make.
| Feature | UrPetPals | Rover |
|---|---|---|
| You keep | 82% | 60% |
| First 10 bookings | 0% commission | Full cut |
| Payout speed | Same day | 7 days |
| ID verification | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Live GPS tracking | ✓ Included | ✗ No |
| UK-based support | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Walk photo updates | ✓ Built-in | Manual |
| Provider dashboard | ✓ Full portal | Basic |
💡 What this means in practice
If you do 15 walks a week at £20 each, you earn £15,600 gross per year. On Rover, you take home £9,360 (60%). On UrPetPals, you take home £12,792 (82%). That's £3,432 extra every year — just for being on the right platform.
And your first 10 bookings on UrPetPals are completely free — 0% commission. So you keep every penny while you're getting started.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need qualifications to become a dog walker in the UK?+
No formal qualifications are legally required to become a dog walker in the UK. However, a Level 2 or 3 animal care qualification, pet first aid certificate or canine behaviour course will make you more credible and help you charge higher rates.
Do dog walkers need insurance in the UK?+
You're not legally required to have insurance, but it's strongly recommended. Public liability insurance (from around £8–15/month) protects you if a dog injures someone or causes property damage while in your care. Most reputable platforms and many clients will require it.
Do dog walkers need a DBS check?+
There is no legal requirement for a DBS check specifically for dog walkers. However, many pet care platforms require one as standard, and having a DBS certificate significantly increases trust with potential clients.
How much can a dog walker earn in the UK?+
A full-time solo dog walker in the UK typically earns £25,000–£45,000 per year (before tax). Part-time walkers doing 8–10 walks per week earn £600–£900/month. The key variable is which platform you use — Rover takes 40% commission while UrPetPals takes only 18%.
How do I find my first dog walking clients?+
The fastest routes are: (1) Join a pet care platform like UrPetPals where clients come to you, (2) post in local Facebook groups and Nextdoor, (3) distribute flyers at vets, pet shops and parks, (4) ask friends and neighbours. Word of mouth becomes your strongest channel once you have your first 5–10 satisfied clients.
The short version
- ✓
No formal qualifications required — but first aid cert + insurance make you credible
- ✓
Get public liability insurance (from ~£8/month) before you take your first booking
- ✓
A Basic DBS check (£18) is optional but strongly recommended
- ✓
Start with solo walks, build reviews, then expand services
- ✓
Join UrPetPals to get clients coming to you — and keep 82% vs Rover's 60%
- ✓
Your first 10 UrPetPals bookings are 100% commission-free