How to raise Dog Walking Rates?

Book a Stay
Irvine, CA

I was surprised to read that you even offered a 15 min. walk. All of the dogs I care for get 30-60 minute walks. So, the easiest way for you to raise your rates would be to stop offering a 15 min. walk and no longer be available for that.

Your Rover rate of $20 for 30 min. sounds/looks average/competitive. As Amber stated, walks would be insured if booked on Rover, if they're new to Rover they could save $ with a promo code, and it offers customers additional support such as helping arrange another walker if needed. So, explaining that could help convert them over. I think Boarding & Walking clients both have the potential for the same concerns you mentioned, and if you're fortunate both can be on-going with regular needs (frequent repeat bookings) that maintain business year-round.

Comments

Honestly when I first got this client I had no idea what I was doing & just chose what I felt was a low rate that someone would want to pay. I now know that everyone in my area charges $20 for a 30 minute walk so I almost feel like I should charge a little less to distinguish myself? But I'm not sure. For some reason I just feel really anxious mixing my dog boarding and walking business. Dog walking is so consistent for me right now whereas dog boarding is very sporadic because I'm still very new and don't have an established base. I don't want this established walking client to get pissed off because I'm changing the rate on something that's been consistent. With dog walking you automatically have a consistent client that expects something; with dog boarding it takes a... (more)

I'm also curious: how much extra do you charge for weekends? Any other extra charges? ALso, do you know any walkers who do 20 min walks or is that sort of unheard of? Thanks so much for all your advice on my many questions! I really appreciate it. This rate issue has caused me quite a bit of anxiety.

Also, do you think the fact that I live down the street from one client and a 2-minute drive from the other should affect my rate?

To distinguish yourself from others, you could offer for 10-15% less ($17-18). To keep the client, I'd increase time to 30 mins. I don't recall seeing 15 or 20 min. rates. I don't change rate based on the Day of the week & no add-ons, but rates can vary based on distance, frequency, etc.

To clarify based on distance means if it's my neighbor whose home I'm walking to (and likely needs me a lot more), I'll give a discounted rate. Although my max. radius is 10 miles, if I have to drive, that's full rate. I can't deduct drive time from walk time because 8 miles takes approx. 30 min.

Just curious, what kind of discount do you give to your neighbors? One of my clients is 5 doors down from me.

Depends on the dog & frequency. One neighbor has 1 dog, adores mine, they often board him only w/me and any walks they can't do. Two neighbors(w/2&4 dogs) I mainly do walking service at their home when traveling. All those get discount. 1 neighbor w/ 2 dogs I seldom walk if emergency=full rate.

Thanks. I was actually wondering numerically how much of a discount you give your neighbors. Like, for the dog that adores your dog, for instance. I just want to get some sense of what might be reasonable. The dog I have in mind is super energetic but my dog and her get along well enough. And I'm curious, how much do you add per certain number of visits? Like, what is your frequency rate? Sorry for all the questions! You've certainly answered a lot for me already, which I appreciate :)

On a different tack, since I'm raising the rate so much one of my clients, how much advance notice do u think I should give him before I start charging? Is a week too soon?

Usually I'd start w/the new mo,but 1 wk. seems soon. Based on discussion w/em, you'd have to decide when. For dog that adores& walks perfectly w/mine, I give an unheard of rate $10 b/c when my dog needs care, he stays w/them in return(free or same walkrate) I was walking 10x/wk + board 2-4 Wks./yr.

Ah okay. So you have a special arrangement then. Yeah, I don't want to change the rate too soon but I also don't plan on doing this for months and months so I don't want to be making pennies for too much longer. Is two weeks still too soon you think?

It probably depends on each client's budget, but that sounds reasonable since after Dec. 15, that's considered a peak business time. You could tell 'em as much as you want to continue caring for their pet, you can't make 15 min. walks work much longer. Each conv. may vary, based on how often.

Do you think most dog walkers charge more for like, 3 walks in one day versus two?

I just successfuly changed my rate to $16 each walk during weekdays and $18 on weekends all for 20 min. I ultimately decided I wanted to ease into the rate changes and not do too much higher at first. Thanks for all your support!

Just the opposite. If you have someone that wants 3 walks a day the per walk rate should be a bit less. The same applies to 1 time a week versus 5 or 10. For example, a regular (single) walk may be $20, a commitment of 5 times a week may be $18 each, and 10 times a week may be $16 each.

When you're walking a dog 3-4 times a day, it's like being a travel sitter without spending 24 x 7 in their home. For the purpose of rates, if it's close by (less than 5 mins. away) I'd consider it similar to boarding - you may have to drive but the dog isn't at your home 24 x 7.

Okay, interesting! Yeah, I know of some walkers who charge less and some who charge for more visits

score:

Amber G.

How come you don't use Rover.com for your dog walking? You would be insured that if you did. Your customer would also get $20 off the first time they use Rover.com for dog walking. A great incentive to show them you are a professional and your new rates. Just my thoughts... Happy Dog walking, Amber G.

Comments

Honestly I don't want to risk a bad review and ruin my entire Rover business if I end up dropping this client or not being able to do a few walks or something. Boarding is great because it's inherently a short-term thing; dog walking clients can get mad if things don't go on as long as they want and other reasons. A dog walking client might also retaliate if there are price increases.

score:

Book a Stay
Portland, OR

In one of your comments you asked about whether distance and travel time should affect your rates. The way I see it, the client is paying for your travel expenses for the convenience of having someone come to their house. I include my travel time in the walk time total (I also keep a small radius so travel time doesn't exceed a few minutes), so for a 30 minute walk, 5-10 mins may be travel and 20-25 mins will be the time I'm actually with the dog. So the distance I travel doesn't affect my rate; it only affects the length of the walk given. If someone needs me to go more out of the way, the compromise is a shortened walk time. For your clients who live very close, that would mean maximum walk time for their money.

I feel dog walking/check in visits are different than your average job (where usually travel is not paid). These services tend to be more frequent and much shorter in duration; would it be worth it to drive to your normal job for a 30 minute shift two-three times per day? I highly doubt anyone would agree to do that. But that's a very reasonable arrangement for a dog walker, where travel for the owner's convenience is part of the job and should definitely be a part of your fee structure.

Comments

Thanks! That makes sense. Do you charge more than your base rate for weekends or early mornings for instance? Or is it one flat fee?

I haven't had any dog walking clients through Rover but I do have walking clients from another company. They don't charge extra for weekend or early morning visits, but they do charge extra for holidays. I've based my rates on theirs since they cover the entire metropolitan area where I live. You might try raising your rates slowly, and also the total time of the service. If you're now offering 15 minute walks for x, change your rates to 30 minutes for x+5. Notify your existing clients of the rate change and give them a grace period, say a month or 2 weeks before you start charging them the new rate. Then in another 3-4 months raise them again, until they are commensurate with the rates in your area. And definitely book them through Rover - there are many benefits to using the Rover.com service... (more)

Cari C.

I don't charge more for weekends/holidays. I just booked a walking/drop in client for Thanksgiving and the day after. I kinda figure that if I'm available on the holiday, I'm available. If I'd rather not take on a client for my normal rate, a few dollars more isn't going to make me more willing to do it.

I guess I feel like I'd charge more for walking just like I charge more for boarding on the holidays. It's more of an inconvenience to me to be away from family and focusing on something else on a special day.

*Or early mornings. But I'll add the same disclaimer I add to most of my comments regarding scheduling flexibility: this is not my primary income. If I'm available, great, I'm happy to do it. If I'm not, I'm unlikely to be moved into being available with a rate increase.

So essentially, I'd rather go without the extra money than inconvenience myself, because I'm not relying on this income to nearly the same extent as other sitters are.

Ah okay, that makes sense :)