Hey, Ritchie here.
Many people dream of working for themselves, spending their days around animals, and building a business that brings both freedom and genuine joy. But while starting a dog walking or pet sitting business is one of the most rewarding things you can do, it’s also one of the easiest to underestimate.
We often hear of talented, animal-loving people starting out full of enthusiasm — only to hit a few predictable stumbling blocks that could easily have been avoided with a bit of guidance.
Here are some of the most common mistakes people make when starting out, and how to avoid them.
1. Expecting success without consistent effort
A common early mistake is assuming that one round of advertising or a single Facebook post will be enough to bring in clients. In reality, marketing a small pet care business takes consistent effort over time.
Many new business owners pay for a Google Ads campaign and then sit back, waiting for the phone to ring. But effective marketing needs follow-up: updating your website, responding quickly to enquiries, collecting reviews, and being visible locally. Word of mouth will eventually become your best friend — but it only builds through trust, visibility, and time.
Top Tip: Set aside regular hours for marketing each week, even when you’re busy. Use a mix of local advertising, social media, and community networking to stay visible. Think of it as a long-term habit rather than a one-off push.
2. Trying to run it as a side hustle
It’s completely natural to want to test the waters before leaving your job, but many people underestimate how difficult it is to grow a service business while working elsewhere. Clients need reliability — and if you’re juggling another role, you might struggle to offer consistent availability, which can make it harder to build trust.
We’ve seen that the people who truly make their pet care business a success are those who eventually give it their full focus. When you treat it as a “real” business rather than something to do on the side, your mindset, energy, and results all change.
Top Tip: Use your employed income to prepare and save, but have a clear plan for when you’ll make the transition. Once you take that step, commit fully — and give yourself the best chance to succeed.
3. Not preparing financially
Every new business has a bedding-in period before income becomes steady. During this stage, many people struggle simply because they didn’t plan their finances carefully enough. Cash flow can feel tight in the first few months, especially while you’re building your reputation and regular client base.
It’s important to have a realistic view of both your personal and business expenses. That means setting aside enough money to cover essentials like insurance, fuel, equipment, marketing, and your own living costs. This safety net takes away the stress of wondering where the next payment will come from and allows you to focus on delivering excellent service.
Top Tip: Aim to have at least six months of savings before you start. This isn’t about being overly cautious — it’s about giving yourself breathing space to grow steadily and make clear-headed decisions. The more prepared you are financially, the more confident and professional you’ll feel when building your client base.
4. Refusing to ask for help
Starting a business can be daunting, especially if you’ve never done it before. It’s easy to think you have to figure everything out on your own — but asking for help isn’t a weakness, it’s a strength.
There are countless free and affordable resources available, from local business support networks to small business coaches. Friends or family members with business experience can also offer practical advice or simply act as sounding boards when you need perspective.
At Pets, Homes & Gardens (PHG), we’ve seen how much smoother things go for people who have a support structure. That’s one of the biggest advantages of joining a franchise: you’re not starting from scratch. You gain tested systems, ongoing support, and our complete PHG Business Blueprint — a step-by-step framework that covers everything from client marketing and pricing to professional standards and long-term growth. It’s designed to remove the uncertainty and give you the confidence to succeed from day one.
Top Tip: Don’t isolate yourself. Seek out advice early, and learn from those who’ve already walked the same path. A short chat with someone experienced can save you months of frustration later.
5. Putting all your eggs in one basket
Many new pet care business owners begin by offering just one service — typically dog walking — and stop there. While dog walking often provides a steady and regular income, it’s still subject to change. Clients can move away, change working patterns, or experience lifestyle shifts that suddenly reduce demand.
Meanwhile, other services such as home cat visits can be highly seasonal, peaking around school holidays and festive periods. Relying on any single service means your income will always fluctuate to some degree.
Diversifying not only balances those peaks and troughs but also helps you stay engaged and motivated. Offering a mix of services — such as dog walking, cat visits, small animal care, or home sitting — gives you variety, protects your income, and makes your business more resilient in the long run.
Top Tip: Start with the service you know best, then gradually add complementary options over time. A well-rounded mix ensures that if one area slows, another will pick up — helping you maintain both stability and momentum.
6. Avoiding technology or quality equipment
It’s tempting to cut costs when you’re just starting out, but skimping on tools or equipment can slow you down and create unnecessary stress. Reliable equipment keeps animals safe and makes your work more efficient, while good technology helps you stay organised and professional.
Simple tools like a pet care management app, scheduling software, or GPS walk tracking can save hours of admin and boost client confidence. The same applies to professional-grade leads, harnesses, and cleaning supplies — they make your work smoother and project a higher standard of care.
Top Tip: Make a list of essential start-up tools and invest in quality from the start. Even small upgrades can make a big difference to your reputation, safety, and time management.
Final thoughts
Running your own dog walking or pet sitting business can be life-changing — but success doesn’t come by chance. Avoiding these common mistakes will give you a real chance in building a business that’s sustainable, profitable, and genuinely rewarding.
If you’d like a head start with expert guidance, proven systems, and the backing of an established brand, the Pets, Homes & Gardens (PHG) franchise might be a great fit. You’ll get everything you need to run your own local pet care business — with none of the guesswork.
Best,
Ritchie
