Charge for dog walking/sitting

[denby04]

When walking my Lucy (shih tzu/poodle cross) I have met the owner of Ollie (bichon frise). They really love to play together. However, my question is I have volunteered to take Ollie for walks and keep him at my home during the day for as long as possible while they go away for a 5 days so he is not lonely (daughter has him at night). HOW MUCH DO I CHARGE? They are willing to pay me but I really don't know as they are considering going on holiday again for 3 weeks at the end of October so if all goes well next week I will have Ollie again but possibly for 24/7 for the 2./3 weeks so I don't want to overcharge but don't know what they would have to pay to put him in a kennel (wich they don't want to do). This all depends on how my dog tolerates Ollie in our home, so what do you think?.

[craft1948]

Well the kennels my westie goes to charge £12.00 a night...

[mollykins]

I know a dog sitting company that charges £15 and you have to provide food. Plus the woman who runs the business sometimes looks after dogs so she gets all of that! But anything up to £10 a day would be reasonable.

[ttfn]

Will you be taking out any insurance for the duration? What will happen if the dog needs veterinary attention?

[brenda]

My kennels charges £7 per night , food found , walked twice daily , insured for vets fees. Such good value.

[RATTER15]

we could never put our wolfies in kennels :-( if they cant come with us we don't go, they are coming to our wedding and to Switzerland on our honeymoon. yes all 3 of them!! :-)

[divegirl]

I would say £7 a day would be reasonable, also make sure you have the contact number for their vet and insurance company.

Lisa x

[madmaggot]

If you are going to be paid (as opposed to re-imbursed for expenses) you are operating as a business and will need to take out insurance, pay tax, etc! Hardly worth it for a couple of weeks.
I have a friend who looks after our dog if we go away, she will take no payment so I always bring a gift for her. If she looks after her for a week or two we take her and her husband for a meal. She always insists that this is not necessary as she loves to have the dog but I want to show that we do appreciate what she does.

[boxtops]

Local dog walking company here charges £15 per walk.

[RATTER15]

Madmaggot, I think you need to be a little more realistic!!!

Do you really think that somebody who earns a few quid dog sitting on the side is actually going to worry about all that crap, get real!!!

How many babysitters do you know that actually declare their earnings as a babysitter?

[piggynose]

i took my pooch to the vet the other day, i said he had some sort of rash, so he took him from me, and had a good look, then said i´ll have to put it him down!! why i said, cuz he´s heavy he replied

[RATTER15]

Hey Piggynose, I loved Tommy Cooper as well :0)

[madmaggot]

Well Ratter I suppose it depends whether you're honest or not doesn't it? I don't think there are degrees of honesty; you either are or you aren't.
There's also the question of insurance, what if something happens whilst Denby has this dog, he/she has taken payment to look after it hence liable for a claim against them.

[lankeela]

Someone near me takes dogs into their home and charges twelve pounds per day for one, twenty for two and thirty for three. I would say insurance is a necessity and I would also mention that if your Lucy has not been spayed then you might end up with a bitch in season while Ollie is there and that would give you untold grief!

[RATTER15]

Madmaggot, I agree about the insurance, but come on, informing inland revenue!! lolol she is looking after a dog for a couple of weeks not setting her up her own kennell.

[denby04]

Thanks for all responses. I decided not to charge as I took the bichon for a walk and brought him back to my house. My Lucy was happy to play but he just wanted to "hump" her, my leg or my arm and when I put them in the garden he just kept peeing everywhere (yes, just leaving his scent). I hope to god he didn't get to my Lucy even though I watched them. Two hours later he went home. The good news is I realise what a fantastic little dog I have compared to Ollie the Horror.