Do you want to work outside and get some exercise as a 14-year-old? If so, a career as a dog walker might be ideal for you. Teens aged 14 may start making money doing something they like by applying for dog walking jobs. Besides earning money, dog walking is a great way to exercise and hang out with cute animals. This article will provide an introduction to dog walking jobs for 14 year olds and will discuss the many opportunities available. In this article, we’ll talk about what it takes to become a dog walker and what you can expect to earn in return. Read on if you want to know more about becoming a dog walker.
Dog walking jobs for 14 year olds
If you’re 14 years old and looking for work as a dog walker, you may expect to make $5 to $10 each day, depending on the number of dogs you walk. More dogs mean more money, so don’t be afraid to take on more responsibility. You can also increase your earnings by offering extra services such as dog grooming. A lot of pet owners either don’t like or don’t have the time to groom their pets, so giving this service is a great way to bring in some extra cash.
Taking multiple dogs at once is a surefire way to increase your pay but you must first ensure that the dog owners know that you are doing so. It’s polite to let people know in advance how many dogs you’ll be bringing along for the stroll, as some owners would prefer their dog to be walked alone.
Dog walker job description
The responsibilities of this position are simple. At the scheduled time, the walker will visit the client’s home to walk the dog. Depending on the size of the dog, this could take as little as 20 minutes or as long as a couple of hours. Dog walkers should make sure the dog has access to fresh water and food when they return home. They need to watch for any strange behavior or indications that the dog is in pain. Every dog, no matter how old or young, needs daily walks to stay healthy. Some highly-energetic dogs need as many as four daily walks to burn off their excess energy.
The job of a dog walker is physically demanding and time intensive, and that’s the main drawback. I wouldn’t advocate taking on this job if you don’t have a lot of stamina, as you will be required to walk for long periods of time every day. Another issue is the relatively low salary, as I indicated earlier; however, this shouldn’t be too much of a concern, since it can be easily increased by the means I will detail in the following section.
Is dog walking a good job for kids?
As long as parents offer a safe, suitable, and adequately supervised environment, dog walking may be a terrific profession for children. This is a great opportunity for kids to obtain work experience, learn valuable lessons about responsibility, timeliness, and animal care, and make some spending money on the side. Remember that walking your dog is a physical exercise that might leave you exhausted, particularly in hot weather. It’s crucial to check a child’s physical abilities and ensure they won’t get hurt by working too hard. It’s also vital that the task is monitored and that the dogs being walked are well-mannered.
What is the youngest age to be a dog walker?
Dog walkers must be 18 years old to work for certain companies. However, this does vary by region. Some dog-walking businesses may also demand that their employees have prior experience with animals, such as time spent volunteering at an animal shelter or completing a pet care course. Having said that, it is possible to work as a dog walker before the age of 16 if you are self employed.
Most 14 year olds won’t be working full time anyway, as they are at school. Therefore, they can walk dogs in their spare time in the local neighbourhood for cash in hand. There really isn’t a minimum age for youngsters to start earning money. Read our article on the 10 best jobs for 11-12 year olds that pay to find out more.
How to gain experience in dog walking?
Many people who make a living walking dogs got their start by walking their neighbors’ dogs or lending a hand with the family pet. This strategy is prudent since you need to know if you are cut out to be a dog walker. A little animal-related enterprise can be quite profitable if run properly. Consider some of the foundations and best practices for canine care and dog behavior if you are thinking about making dog walking a job. Dog walking, for instance, is a responsibility that shouldn’t be taken lightly. As the dog’s caretaker, you may be eligible for compensation in the event of an accident.
How to handle a difficult dog as a 14 year old?
Dog walking might be scary for a 14 year old. Be confident and prepared to handle tough dogs. You can manage even the hardest dogs with the appropriate approach and mindset. Understanding behavior is the first step to managing challenging pets. Knowing breeds’ typical habits and signals of fear and aggressiveness may help you predict and react to them. Dogs may detect fear, so keep calm and remain confident. In stressful circumstances, utilize a short, firm leash to handle a nervous or aggressive dog. Finally, verify the dog’s safety. In strange situations, dogs might get overwhelmed. Before starting the walk, check the surroundings and eliminate any potential stress triggers.
How to manage school alongside dog walking as a 14 year old?
1. Plan Your Time Wisely
Make a calendar to ensure you have enough time to walk your dog and study. It’s a good idea to schedule regular times for each task, such as the end of the day for studying and homework and the beginning of the day for walking the dog.
2. Prioritise
Get your dog walked and get good grades simultaneously by making them both top priorities in your life. If you want to earn money walking dogs, you should ensure that any important schoolwork is completed before taking on more jobs.
3. Communication
It is important to keep in touch with your parents, teachers, and customers, so that they know your dedication to education and dog walking. Specifying your availability and any times you will be unavailable is very important.
4. Ask for help
Don’t be reluctant to seek assistance when you’re struggling. You should speak to your parents or instructors if you are struggling to cope with the demand of school and dog walking.
5. Time management
Spend your time wisely by mastering effective time management techniques. Instead of wasting time procrastinating, try getting things done swiftly and effectively. That way, you can maximize your time and get your dog walking and schoolwork done without sacrificing one or the other.
Is dog walking good for dogs?
A dog’s physical health is preserved by regular walks since it helps keep its muscles and joints flexible and in use. In particular, if they have a habit of bingeing on leftovers and gaining weight, this helps them maintain a healthy weight and digestive system. The mental health of a dog benefits immensely from time spent outdoors. Taking a stroll outside gives children the freedom to explore their surroundings through sight, smell, and sound. The stimulation of a dog’s senses is very beneficial because dogs are inherently curious.
Dogs, in particular, enjoy the company of other canine companions. For a dog’s mental and behavioral growth, socialization is essential. Canines observe and mimic the actions of their canine peers. They will feel more secure and content if they are routinely exposed to well- behaved pets. Walking your dog on a daily basis is essential to maintaining his or her health. Dogs enjoy the daily opportunities they have to interact with their human companions. Even canine companions gain from having set daily or weekly hours. When it’s time for their daily walk, dogs are usually happy and eager to see their walkers. In addition to improving their physical health, dogs’ mental and emotional well-being also benefit from going for walks.
How to get started?
As a teenager, you should consult a parent or guardian before proceeding further. Visiting strangers’ homes could be seen as suspicious in their eyes. Make sure they know where you are at all times and always ask first. The next step is to think about what services you will offer. Do you provide any other services except dog walking? To increase your likelihood of being employed, demonstrate as many skills as possible.
Make sure you’re safe
Dogs are easily harmed, even when people take precautions. They could be frightened by a passing car or ingest something they shouldn’t. The bottom line is that you might be held responsible for whatever occurs under your watch. And the last thing you need is a huge medical bill to worry about! Consequently, you should probably consider getting pet sitter insurance. However, you should weigh the costs and benefits before proceeding.
Start advertising!
The only thing missing at this point is customers. The message must therefore be broadcast. Post flyers throughout town or ask your dog-owning friends and neighbors if they need any assistance. Advertisements on Craigslist are also quite effective. Pick your area and post your free ad now! Somebody may have posted a need for a dog walker in the jobs section, so you might want to have a look there as well. You can also check out services like Rover and Pet Backer who let you advertise your services to their client base.
Final thoughts
A 14 year old can make good money as a dog walker. Working around the school is easy because you set your own hours and summer is also a great time to pick up more work. In addition, you get to spend the day in the company of dogs. Absolutely nothing beats that if you are an animal lover! If you’re going to do it, you should give it some serious thought to make sure it’s the appropriate move. The owners are putting a lot of faith in you, so make sure you do your best to justify that faith.