It is easy to start spending money on a dog walking business before you have worked out how the business will actually run. A van, a logo, a website, matching clothing and a pile of equipment can all feel like progress. But which purchases will help you look after dogs properly and build a workable day?
After more than ten years running Lothian Walkies, my approach would be to keep things practical. I would put money into being ready to do the job safely, keep my service area manageable and leave the extras until there was a clear reason to buy them.
If I were starting again, this is how I would think about the spending.
Before buying anything, plan your working day
The first thing I would do costs time rather than money: work out where I want to operate and what a normal day might look like.
Dog walking is not just the time spent on the walk. There are pickups, drop-offs, travel to a suitable walking spot, cleaning up and messages from owners. Those jobs all need a place in your working day.
I keep my pickup loop tight. An enquiry from further away might sound appealing, but I would think about what that extra journey does to the rest of the route before saying yes.
Before making a shopping list, I would write down my service area, the days and hours I can work, the type of walks I want to offer and how transport will fit into that plan. If those decisions are still unclear, I would pause the bigger purchases.
1. Getting properly ready to take responsibility for dogs
My first spending priority would be the things that make me ready to take responsibility for someone else’s dog. I would look into insurance for the service I intend to offer, any requirements that apply in my area and any gaps in my own handling or first-aid knowledge.
I would check those details with the relevant provider, local authority or training organisation before taking bookings. The right questions depend on how and where you plan to work, including whether you will transport dogs and offer group walks.
This is less exciting than choosing a logo, but it is part of being ready for the actual job. I would want to understand what I am paying for and whether it suits the service I am setting up.
2. A small amount of dependable everyday equipment
I use my own leads. For me, that keeps one part of the daily routine consistent. If I were starting now, I would buy dependable equipment suited to the dogs and walks I expect to handle, rather than buying every accessory I could find.
My basic kit would include suitable leads and spares, poo bags, water and a bowl, a way to carry the essentials and practical clothing for the weather. I would also plan how to deal with muddy dogs and wet equipment.
In my business, I ask owners to leave a towel. Small arrangements like that are worth agreeing early because they make the end of a wet walk more straightforward.
I would start with what I need for the service I can actually provide. As I learned what I used every day, I could add or replace items for a clear reason.
3. Transport that suits the job
A vehicle can become one of the biggest spending decisions. I use a modest van, and I would not make a shiny new vehicle my first target if I were starting again.
I would first ask what transport my service needs. Am I collecting dogs? How will they travel securely and comfortably? Can I keep the vehicle clean and suitable for the work? What will fuel, upkeep and downtime mean for the business?
The purchase price is only part of the decision. A vehicle also needs to fit the routes, dogs and working routine you have planned.
If I already had transport that might be suitable, I would investigate that option before committing to a replacement. I would check the practical setup and relevant cover rather than assume that a vehicle is ready for business use.
4. A simple way for local people to find and contact me
I would want a clear local presence, but I would keep the first version simple. People need to know who I am, which area I cover, what I offer and how to get in touch.
A straightforward website or business page, clear service information and honest photos would be my starting point. I would use my phone for photos before spending money on a camera.
I would put more effort into making the information useful than into making everything look elaborate. A prospective customer should not have to search through several posts to find out whether I cover their area.
I would also be careful about paying for promotion before I had a clear offer and a workable way to handle enquiries. More enquiries are only useful if they are for the service and area I can actually cover.
What I would leave until later
I would hold off on large quantities of branded clothing, specialist gadgets without a clear use, an expensive camera and a complicated website with features I did not yet need.
I would also avoid buying equipment for a much bigger business than the one I was ready to run. It is possible to spend for a future version of the business while missing what the first few clients actually need.
My question for each purchase would be: does this help me care for the dogs, run the day reliably or help suitable local customers understand my service? If I could not give a clear answer, it could wait.
Leave room in the budget for ordinary running costs
I would not want to spend the whole budget on setting up and have nothing left for the weeks that follow. Fuel, replacement equipment and vehicle upkeep still need paying for while you build a client base.
Before spending, I would list the one-off purchases separately from the ongoing costs. Then I would work out how much I could commit without depending on bookings that had not happened yet.
There is no single startup figure I would give everyone. Someone offering local solo walks will have different decisions from someone planning a collection service and group walks. The useful number is the one based on your own service.
My starting point: plan first, buy for a reason
If I were starting a dog walking business again, I would focus on a manageable area, being properly prepared, dependable basic kit and transport that fits the work. I would make it easy for local people to understand what I offer, then improve things as I learned.
You do not need to buy the finished version of your business on day one. You need to be ready to deliver the service you have promised.
Want help turning the idea into a practical plan?
I created the Be a Dog Walker Starter System to help you work through those early decisions. It includes the Dog Walking Business Planner, Your First 30 Days Guide and Toolkit, and the bonus Photos and Social Media Starter Kit.
Start with your service area, working week, prices and costs. Once those decisions are on paper, it is much easier to see what belongs on your shopping list and what can wait.