Short answer: price each service from the time it really takes, including travel between dogs, then add your costs and margin. Group walks can cost less per dog but earn more per hour. Charge extras like extra dogs, weekend or bank-holiday walks and key holding separately.
Prices depend heavily on your area and what's included, so I won't give a national average I can't back up. This is a method you can apply to your own round.
Step 1: Time each service door to door
A "one-hour walk" often takes 90 minutes with pick-up, drop-off, towelling off and travel to the next dog. Price the real time.
Step 2: Add up your costs
Insurance, DBS check, van or car running costs, fuel, leads and equipment, licences where your council requires them, and software.
*Example figures only:* if your costs are £300 a month and you do 80 walks, that's £3.75 per walk before your time.
Step 3: Set prices per service
- Solo walk: your full time for one dog
- Group walk: lower per dog, higher per hour overall — check your insurance limit on dogs per walk
- Puppy or drop-in visit: shorter, but travel still counts
- Pet sitting or overnight: price per visit or per night
- Extras: second dog from the same home, weekends, bank holidays, key holding, last-minute bookings
Step 4: Bill weekly or monthly, consistently
Most walkers invoice regulars weekly or monthly. Pick one and stick to it, and send reminders automatically so you're not chasing friends of friends. The dog walking payment reminders guide covers how.
Step 5: Use a clear invoice
One line per service with the number of walks and the rate. The dog walker invoice template page has a free template you can fill in now, and the dog walking software comparison and invoice app for dog walkers pages show how to do it from your phone.
Frequently asked questions
How do I decide how much to charge for dog walking?
Time each walk door to door, including travel, add your costs and a fair hourly value for your time, then check what local walkers charge for similar services.
Should group walks be cheaper than solo walks?
Usually yes per dog, because your time is shared. Overall you earn more per hour, as long as you stay within your insurance and any council limit on dogs per walk.
How should I charge for pet sitting?
Price per visit or per night, depending on the work. Include travel, and charge extra for medication, multiple pets or bank holidays.
What's the easiest way to invoice regular dog walking clients?
Say the week's walks as a voice note — "Invoice Emma for five solo walks and one weekend walk" — and SaidToPaid builds the invoice for you to check and send, with reminders if it isn't paid.
Try it with your numbers
Walk price calculator
Put in what you want to earn, how many walks you do and your running costs. Check your council's limit on dogs per walker.
- You need per walk
- £38.65
- Price per dog per walk
- £9.66
- Walks per month
- 65
A starting point worked out from your figures only. Nothing is saved. Excludes VAT.
Use these prices on a free invoiceInvoice terms you can copy
Plain wording to add to the notes on your invoices. Save it once in your settings and it goes on every invoice. General guidance, not legal advice.
Payment terms
Payment is due within 7 days of the invoice date. Walks may be paused if an invoice is overdue.
Cancellations
Walks cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice are charged in full.
Bad weather
In extreme heat or severe weather we may shorten a walk or swap it for a garden visit, for your dog's safety. The normal price applies.
Vet emergencies
If your dog is hurt or unwell and we cannot reach you, you authorise us to take your dog to your vet. Vet fees are your responsibility.
The late payment law only covers business-to-business invoices. Fixed compensation is £40 on debts under £1,000, £70 up to £9,999.99 and £100 from £10,000.
Dog walker checklist (UK)
- Check your council's rules. Many have orders limiting how many dogs one person can walk, often 4 to 6.
- Dog walking itself does not usually need a licence in England, but home boarding and day care do.
- Have public liability insurance, plus cover for care, custody and control and for holding client keys.
- Keep a signed form for each dog with vet details, emergency contact and permission to treat.
- Agree your cancellation and payment terms in writing before the first walk.
General guidance, checked October 2026. Rules change and vary by council, so check with your local authority, insurer or HMRC.