Dog sitting jobs

If only my job was to spend the day with dogs… Wouldn’t it be nice? The good news is that this dream could be a reality if you are serious about becoming a dog sitter. With 9.9 million dogs in Australia and dog owners living a busy life, the demand for dog sitting service is very high. Let’s find out how you can find dog sitting jobs.

How do I find dog sitting jobs?

With the amount of dog owners in Australia being higher then ever, there will be plenty of people looking for dog sitting services near them. There are several ways to find dog sitting jobs depending on where you live, your level of experience and your availability. You can start by putting small ads in your local shops, newspapers or job boards. Pet shops, dog-friendly cafes and vet offices are a good place to find your first clients. Spread the word around you: your neighbours, your co-workers or even your children’s school!

You can also create a profile on specialised pet sitting websites. Make sure you pick a reputable company that has a large user base. Holidog is a good go-to place to get started. You can create your dog sitter profile for free and be discovered by thousands of dog parents in your area. Holidog offers you the freedom to choose which services you wish to offer, for which price and when you are available to do so.

What kind of dog sitting jobs are out there?

Dog sitting includes a lot of different services. You should only offer those that you are truly able to carry out. If you live in a flat, boarding big dogs is probably not the thing you should do. Likewise, if you do not have any training, you should probably not accept to take care of dogs with special needs.

Dog walking

All dogs need to go out everyday, several times a day for some. When dogs don’t have access to a garden or when dog owners can’t be home to take them out, dog walkers are the perfect solution. It entails going to the person’s home to pick up the dog and take it out for a walk. Walks last for 30 minutes.

You are expected to engage with the dog during this time and take it to a green area, a park or along a route you and the dog owner will have agreed on. If you have little experience, it is best to start with one small dog and keep it on-lead. If you are experienced, you can start walking several dogs at the same time, or one or two big dogs.

Dog boarding

If you live in a flat, you can offer to host a small dog for a night or more. The dog will be under your responsibility during the whole duration of its owner’s absence and be part of your family. Dog sitting with a host family has become more and more popular as it is not only cheaper than a stay in a kennel, but it is also nicer for dogs that can feel overwhelmed being around other dogs or those that cannot be boarded in kennels for medical reasons.

Dog boarding can also take place in the dog owners’ home. In that case, you are expected to come live at their place. While dogs are less territorial than cats, some are strongly attached to their environment and having the dog sitter come to their place is the best way not to change their routine too much.

How much do dog sitting jobs pay?

The pay depends on the type of services you offer, your experience and your location. For dog walking, the average price for one dog is $12 per walk. For dog boarding, average prices hover around $20 per night.

At Holidog, you get to set your own prices and are free to look up other dog sitters in your area to compare. When you just start out on your dog sitting adventure, it is probably to set your price below the average and increase it as you gain experience. Beware to not set them too low, as this might arouse suspicion. If you are a trained professional, on the other hand, you can set your price higher.

Last but not least: if you live in a city with high living costs, you can adjust your rate accordingly. The same goes for special services, such as grooming or providing dog training.

Want to learn more? Then please have a look at our complete dog sitting guide.