DOG WALKERS · PAYMENT LINKS
Dog Walker Pricing and Rates Guide (UK)
A clear, practical UK guide to setting fair dog walking prices, choosing per walk or weekly rates and using deposits and payment links so your income feels stable, not stressful.
One of the hardest parts of running a dog walking business is deciding what to charge. You want to be fair, you do not want to price yourself out of the area, but you also cannot afford to undercharge and feel resentful every time you lace up your boots. When prices are guessed or changed per client, your income feels just as unpredictable as the weather.
The good news is that dog walking pricing does not need to be a mystery. With a simple structure for per walk rates, weekly pricing, group walk pricing, add ons and holiday cover, you can build a system that feels fair to clients and sustainable for you. That pricing system then connects directly to how you take deposits, send payment links and reduce late payments.
This guide walks you through how UK dog walkers typically set rates, realistic ranges for common services and a step by step process you can use to set or update your own prices. It works best alongside the Dog Walkers Payment Links series, especially the guides on deposits, reminders and chasing late payments.
Part of the Dog Walkers Payment Links Guide Series
For the full picture of how your prices connect with deposits, reminders and payment links, start with the main pillar guide: Payment Links for Dog Walkers: Complete UK Guide .
How UK Dog Walkers Typically Charge for Their Work
Most UK dog walkers use a mix of per walk pricing and weekly or monthly payments. The key is to choose a model that matches your route, your schedule and the types of clients you want, then keep it consistent so payment feels predictable.
Common pricing models
- Per walk – a set price for a 30 or 60 minute walk, often used for ad hoc or small weekly schedules.
- Weekly total – clients pay one amount per week based on agreed days and walk length.
- Monthly in advance – useful for steady regulars who want predictable budgeting.
- Group walk pricing – priced per dog, with clear rules for behaviour and safety.
- Add ons menu – pick ups, towel dry, feeding, key handling, weekend rates or short notice fees.
Typical UK ranges (rough guide, not rules)
- A 30 minute solo walk is often priced somewhere around £10 to £18 depending on area, travel and demand.
- A 60 minute solo walk commonly falls around £15 to £25 depending on area and route efficiency.
- Group walks vary widely, but many dog walkers price £8 to £15 per dog depending on group size, behaviour rules and travel.
- Holiday cover blocks often end up in the £80 to £200+ range for a week depending on frequency and walk length.
Comparing the main pricing options
| Model | Best for | Pros | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per walk | Ad hoc bookings and clients with a small number of weekly walks. | Simple to explain. Easy to adjust by duration. Good for new clients. | Can feel fiddly if clients book many walks. Consider turning regulars into a weekly total and making payment easy with payment links . |
| Weekly total | Regular clients on the same days each week. | Predictable income. Predictable for clients. Easier admin. | You need clear terms for missed walks, cancellations and late payments. Pairing weekly totals with automatic reminders removes most chasing. |
| Monthly in advance | Long term regulars who want a fixed predictable payment rhythm. | Strong cash flow. Less weekly admin. Reduces late payments when set up well. | You need clear handling for holidays and changes. Keep the system simple and use one clear payment link per cycle. |
| Group walks | Efficient routes where you can safely manage more than one dog. | Higher earning potential per hour. Easier to build capacity. | Safety and behaviour rules must be clear. Your pricing should reflect the responsibility and risk, not just the time. |
| Add ons menu | Pick ups, feeding, towel dry, weekend cover and short notice bookings. | Boosts income without finding new clients. Keeps boundaries clear. | You need consistency. Add ons should be written in your confirmation message and supported by clear payment timing. If late payments are a pattern, use a simple late payment system . |
There is no single correct pricing model. The goal is to pick a structure you can run consistently and connect it to a payment process that feels calm.
Real Pricing Situations UK Dog Walkers Deal With
Pricing looks neat on paper, but real life is messy. These examples show how dog walkers often handle tricky situations, and how clear prices plus payment links keep things fair.
New regular client wants a cheaper rate
A new client asks for three walks per week and suggests a price that is below your usual rate. You want the work, but you also know that saying yes sets a low baseline that is hard to raise later.
Many dog walkers handle this by setting a clear standard rate and sticking to it. You can explain that your pricing includes travel between walks, key handling, admin, insurance, route planning and consistent updates. When payment is easy, clients focus less on the process and more on reliability, which is why it helps to use a simple payment link rather than chasing bank transfers.
If they agree, you start the relationship with respect. If they do not, you avoid locking yourself into a rate that makes you dread the work.
Holiday cover booked weeks ahead, then cancelled
A client books daily walks while they are away. You block out space and plan your route. Then plans change and the client cancels close to the start date.
A fair solution is to use a deposit for holiday cover. It is not about punishing clients. It is about protecting diary space. You can structure this clearly using the system in deposit and balance payments for dog walkers so clients understand what is due and when.
When clients know there is a deposit, cancellations often drop because the booking feels real.
A long term client where prices have not changed for years
You have walked a dog for years at a rate you set when you were starting out. Costs rise, your schedule is fuller and your rate has stayed the same. You feel awkward changing it, but you know it is needed.
Many dog walkers review prices once a year and give notice with a short respectful message. This is easier when your payment process is already structured, especially if you use automatic reminders so clients do not miss the new amount.
Most reasonable clients understand small increases when you are reliable and give notice.
A Simple 5 Step System for Dog Walker Pricing
You do not need a complicated spreadsheet. This five step system helps you set fair rates, write them down clearly and connect them to payment links so clients always know what they owe and when.
Work out your target income per working hour
Start with what you need to earn per working hour after expenses. Consider travel between walks, fuel, insurance, leads, waste bags, time spent drying dogs, key pick ups and unpaid admin. A per walk price is only helpful if it covers the full reality of the work.
Turn that into clear 30 and 60 minute prices
Choose a clear 30 minute price and a clear 60 minute price, even if most of your work is regular. This gives you a consistent base for quoting and stops you making up numbers on the spot.
Decide how you price regulars and group walks
If clients book the same days each week, consider quoting a weekly total so payment is simple. For group walks, decide what your maximum group size is and price per dog based on responsibility, not just time. Clear rules and consistent pricing reduce disputes.
Write a simple add ons list and a holiday cover rule
Create a short list of add ons and when they apply, such as weekend cover, short notice bookings or pick ups. For holiday cover, decide if you take a deposit to protect diary space. The guide on deposit and balance payments shows a fair structure.
Connect your prices to payment links and reminders
Once your prices are clear, connect them to a simple payment process. Each quote should lead to a payment link that matches the agreed amount. If payment is late, reminders can follow up without you having to chase manually every time.
If you want a simple payment flow, read how dog walkers send payment links and automatic payment reminders .
When your pricing is written down and connected to payment links, you stop improvising. Your business runs on a repeatable system.
Sample Pricing Structures and Message Templates
These examples are not rules. They are starting points you can adjust for your area, demand and route. Aim for clarity and consistency.
Example pricing structure for a solo UK dog walker
| Service | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 30 minute solo walk | £10 – £18 | Often higher in cities or where demand is high. Build your travel time into the price. |
| 60 minute solo walk | £15 – £25 | Useful as a clear premium option. Helps avoid clients asking for extra time for free. |
| Group walk (per dog) | £8 – £15 | Price reflects responsibility and group size rules, not only duration. |
| Weekly regular (example) | £40 – £120 | Depends on number of walks and duration. Weekly totals reduce admin and late payments. |
| Holiday cover block (example) | £80 – £200+ | Consider deposits to protect diary space, especially for peak dates. |
These figures are examples only. Always check local rates, your route efficiency and your true costs before finalising your pricing.
Template 1: Quoting a new regular client
Hi [Name], thank you for your message. For [30 / 60] minute walks my price is £[Amount] per walk. For your schedule of [X] walks per week, the weekly total would be £[Total].
Payment is due [weekly on Friday / before the first walk / another clear rule]. I will send a payment link so you can pay securely by card or bank. If you would like to go ahead, I can confirm [days and time] as your regular slot.
Template 2: Holiday cover with deposit and balance
Hi [Name], for holiday cover from [Dates], the total for [X] walks is £[Total]. To secure the booking I ask for a deposit of £[Amount] by payment link when confirming. The remaining balance of £[Amount] is due by [Date], and I will send a separate link for that.
This keeps the booking confirmed and makes payment timing clear for both of us.
Template 3: Letting a long term client know about a price increase
Hi [Name], I hope you are well. I wanted to let you know that from [Date], my price for your walks will be £[New Amount] per [30 / 60] minute walk, which makes your weekly total £[New Total].
This reflects increased running costs and helps me keep offering a reliable long term service. Payment will work the same way using the payment link. Thank you for your understanding.
Template 4: Explaining add ons and avoiding scope creep
Hi [Name], your regular walks at £[Amount] cover [walk duration] and [what is included, for example: pick up, walk, basic towel dry if needed and drop off]. Add ons such as weekend cover, extra stops or short notice changes can be added from £[Amount] and will be included in your payment link when requested.
This keeps things clear and fair so you always know what the total will be.
You can adapt these templates and save them as message snippets. When you combine them with payment links and, where needed, automatic reminders , your pricing becomes a system that runs the same way every time.
What Happens When Your Prices and Payment Links Work Together
Dog walker pricing is not only about numbers. It is about how your business feels day to day. When your prices, deposits and payment links line up, these are the kinds of results many dog walkers start to see.
Financial wins
- More predictable income because each client has a clear price and payment rhythm.
- Fewer unpaid extras because add ons are priced and included in the payment link.
- Less money lost to cancellations when deposits protect key dates.
Emotional and practical wins
- Less awkwardness around money because pricing is written down and consistent.
- Fewer late payment conversations, especially when you use a clear late payment system .
- More confidence saying no to underpriced work, because your pricing structure protects your time.
When clients see that your prices, deposits and payment links all match, they treat your dog walking as a professional service. That respect helps you build a stable long term business.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my dog walking prices are too low?
Calculate your true hourly income after travel time, gaps between walks, fuel, insurance and admin. If your real hourly rate feels close to minimum wage, or you feel resentful doing the work, it is a strong sign your prices are too low.
Should I charge per walk or weekly as a dog walker?
Per walk pricing works well for ad hoc bookings. Weekly totals work well for regular clients on fixed days because it simplifies payment and reduces chasing. Many dog walkers use both, with per walk pricing as the base and weekly totals for regulars.
How often should I review my dog walking rates in the UK?
Many dog walkers review prices once a year. Small regular increases are usually easier for clients to accept than a large jump after several years. Give notice and keep the message short and respectful.
Do I need different prices for different areas?
If you work across areas with very different travel times and local rates, it can be sensible to have different minimum prices or a clear travel charge. Keep the system simple enough to explain and apply consistently.
How do payment links fit into dog walker pricing?
Payment links turn your agreed price into a simple one click payment. For deposits and balances you can send separate links. When combined with reminders, this reduces late payments and removes most chasing.
What if clients compare my prices with cheaper dog walkers?
Some people will always choose the lowest price. Focus on reliability, safety, clear communication and a professional payment process. Clear pricing and easy payment often attract clients who value consistency.
Related Guides
Continue learning with these related guides:
Payment Links for Dog Walkers — Complete UK Guide
The complete UK guide to payment links for dog walkers. Learn how to take deposits, reduce cancellations, and get paid faster.
Read guideHow Dog Walkers Get Paid — UK Methods Explained
A breakdown of the common ways UK dog walkers accept payments for regular and ad-hoc walks.
Read guideTurn Clear Prices into Predictable, On Time Payments
When your prices are clear and your clients know exactly what they owe, the next step is making it easy for them to pay. Simply Link lets you turn your agreed rates into simple payment links with optional deposits, balances and automatic reminders. Instead of chasing payments and checking bank transfers, you can let the system handle the admin while you focus on the work you are actually paid for.
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