Barking Up the Right Tree: Launching Your Dog Sitting Side Hustle

Issue #09 | August 20, 2023

Welcome to Pawpreneurs! We're more than just a bi-weekly newsletter – we're your partner in turning your passion for pets into a thriving business. Whether you're a solo operator, a weekend side hustler, or a growing team, we've got your back. Your passion for pets deserves a profitable outlet. Let's transform your dream into a bustling business, one paw at a time. Pawpreneurs is here to guide, support, and inspire.

My neighbors didn't take long to notice my love for dogs. They have three dogs that eagerly rush to the fence every day, and I never fail to meet them with a cheerful smile. Finding a new canine friend in my yard was common, as I often provided dog-sitting services. Spending my days at home with two dogs and two lively children, whom I playfully describe as "wild animals," I was always more than happy to help friends or relatives who needed someone to look after their dogs. Then, an exciting opportunity came my way.

I was thrilled when my aunt told me about the Rover app, specifically created to connect dog owners with me for dog sitting. This new connection meant the possibility of extra income and even more dogs in my life! Since this new venture has become a frequent topic of conversation for me, I wanted to take the time to explain how to achieve success in a dog-sitting side hustle for additional income. Keep reading, and I'll answer all the most frequent questions I get about dog sitting.

About Rover

Discover how to supplement your income by embarking on a dog-sitting side job. Find essential FAQs about Rover and how to get paid for loving dogs! Rover is an organization established to support dog enthusiasts in finding care for their pets. Through the Rover app or Rover.com, you'll be instantly matched with dog sitters, walkers, and visitors in your vicinity to assist with your dog's needs effortlessly.

Whether you're vacationing, need a dog walker while at work, or want someone to check on your dog during the day, Rover is at your service.

Available in over 14,000 cities across the USA and Canada, Rover boasts over 200K dog sitters and has received near-perfect reviews. Learn more about Rover!

How to Earn Money with Rover Rover offers basic services you can utilize to begin earning:

• Dog Boarding (top earner)

• Dog Walking

• Doggy daycare

• Drop-in visits

• House Sitting You can select the services you want to offer without needing to offer them all.

Selecting Your Services and Prices In your Rover profile, you'll have the opportunity to specify:

• The size of dogs you accept

• Age of dogs you prefer

• Services you wish to offer Rover's flexibility lets you cater to your preferences. For example, if you're uncomfortable with larger dogs, you don't have to accept them. You can also make choices based on other animals in your home.

Hosting Services

Hosting Services are the first options available, where you host dogs in your home. Several selections are available, and you can decide what to charge for each.

Although Rover helps find clients and takes a commission, you can still see your actual earnings when you set your prices. Start building your profile!

Traveling Services Traveling services naturally involve travel. Whenever considering taking on travel services, I always suggest only accepting jobs within a 10-mile radius of your residence.

Though I charge a similar amount for travel services, it's justified as it takes time out of my day, puts minor wear and tear on my vehicle, and incurs some gas expenses.

What about if you own dogs? No problem!

When I first joined Rover, I had my dog Leon, a teacup Shitzu-Maltese mix. Since my pup loved being around other dogs, but his 3lb size larger-than-life self-found it hard to play with other dogs, I initially hesitated to take on any large dogs. I kept the weight limited to small to medium-sized dogs under 18 lbs. I wanted to ensure that he was comfortable with our furry guests.

Here's how we made smooth transitions:

• Meet the dogs on "neutral territory," like a nearby park.

• Separate your dogs when your Rover dog first arrives.

• Introduce your dogs on a leash to control any big reactions.

• Prepare for dogs not getting along; perhaps leave one of your dogs in a separate room.

• Provide your Rover dog with a separate eating area to prevent food fights.

• Always leash your Rover dog outdoors. It's a Rover requirement and ensures you're in control.

Tips for Getting Started

Once I applied online, I watched Rover's welcome videos, which provided insights into succeeding with their dog-sitting services. Here are some standout tips that I put into practice, leading to wonderful results for me:

• Embrace Initial Bookings: I ensured that I began using Rover at a time when my calendar was clear. Accepting the first few bookings can bolster your reviews and enhance your visibility to potential clients.

• Maintain Competitive Pricing: I adhered to their suggested pricing structure during my early days with Rover. In an effort to make myself an appealing choice over other sitters, I focused on keeping my prices attractive.

• Seek Out Reviews: Even before I started dog-sitting with Rover, I requested some friends I had previously dog-sat for to post positive testimonials on my profile. This approach builds confidence for those considering your services. Don't hesitate to remind your clients to leave a review once you've completed a booking.

• Hold Open Availability: As I mentioned, I ensured I had ample availability when I initially signed up for Rover. An open calendar can invite more opportunities for people to utilize your dog-sitting services.

• Build a Strong Profile: Be thorough and engaging when crafting your profile, incorporating plenty of photographs. Since your profile viewers are likely fellow dog enthusiasts, including images of your own dogs can be heartwarming. Click here to embark on your journey!

These tips helped me greatly, and they might be just what you need to kickstart your own successful venture into dog sitting with Rover and becoming a 5-Star dog sitter.

Becoming a 5-Star Dog Sitter

So, now that you understand how to begin your journey with Rover intelligently, what steps can you take to earn glowing reviews? How can you elevate yourself to be among the top-tier dog sitters or dog walkers? Here's how:

• Share Pictures: Dog owners appreciate seeing visual updates like parents of human children in daycare. Send images of their furry friends cozied up or enjoying playtime.

• Embrace Flexibility: Often, I encounter last-minute bookings, so it's essential to remain patient and adaptable to accommodate people's changing plans.

• Arrange Pre-Meetings: If possible, offer to meet your potential clients beforehand. It allows them to get to know you and feel at ease entrusting their pet to you.

• Communicate Openly: Should a dog exhibit unusual behavior, or if you discover something puzzling in their belongings, don't hesitate to reach out with inquiries. Your proactive concern for the dog's welfare is usually appreciated and reflects your commitment to providing optimal care.

• Offer Praise: Make it a point to let each family know the joy their dog brought you. Share particular delightful moments or quirky behaviors that made the experience special.

• Respond Promptly: Prompt communication is key to positive reviews and maximizing bookings. Consider downloading the Rover app, as it syncs with your phone, notifying you immediately when someone contacts you on Rover.

By incorporating these practices into your dog sitting or walking routine, you can set yourself apart as a five-star provider in the Rover community. It's about providing a service and creating a memorable and reassuring experience for both the pets and their owners.

Understanding Earnings and Payments with Rover:

Frequency of Earnings: The amount and frequency of your earnings on Rover can vary, depending on the services you offer and the demand in your locality.

Certain holiday weekends might provide an opportunity for increased earnings, such as:

• Fourth of July

• Labor Day

• Memorial Day

• Christmas

• Thanksgiving

Ensuring that original customers have a positive experience increases the likelihood of repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals. Maintaining competitive pricing and positive reviews will continually support your income generation.

Pricing Strategy: Initially, when I started with Rover, I adhered to their suggested pricing. As I became more acquainted with the workload and various dog needs, I slightly increased my prices, around $5 or so. While it's natural to desire fair compensation, it's also crucial not to overprice your services.

Payment Process: I have configured my Rover account to pay through PayPal. After completing a dog visit or walk, Rover initiates the payment to my PayPal, which takes a few days to transfer to my bank account.

Commission to Rover: Rover does deduct a small commission from each booking as part of their operational costs. This commission is one reason I slightly raised my prices. However, I appreciate Rover's role in helping me find clients, so I view this commission as a fair exchange.

Navigating the financial aspects of working with Rover involves careful consideration of pricing, understanding payment methods, and being aware of how Rover's commission affects your earnings. By staying attuned to these factors, you can create a satisfying and profitable experience for yourself on the platform.

Handling "Challenging" Dogs

I prioritize collecting detailed information in advance when handling any potential issues, such as bathroom accidents or persistent barking. Maintaining open and transparent communication with the dog owners is essential. If a significant problem occurs while caring for a furry client, it's always best to try and resolve it directly with the client before involving Rover, as Rover won't cover any damages caused by a pet. If you're serious about your pet care business or side gig, this is where having insurance may become important. I once experienced a pet-sitting dog destroying my monstera plants, chewing the living room baseboards, and urinating throughout my home, despite the owner's assurances of the dog's good behavior. After these incidents, I had no option but to discuss the situation with her and provide photographic evidence. Thankfully, she kindly covered all the damages.

How to Begin with Rover

Enrolling with Rover is a fast and straightforward online process, but it does require passing a background check. For me, the application took only a matter of days, and I managed to book my first dog within 20 minutes! I have found that dog sitting is much easier to get clients than dog walking and pays out the most. On months when I had nothing going on, I would dog sit each weekend (3 or 4 days) and make upwards of $3,500 per month. Keep in mind that this was in San Francisco.

I hope this post addressed your questions about dog sitting and sparked your interest in joining Rover. I confidently assure you that you won't regret your decision! Click here to apply.