The Complete Dog Walking Setup Checklist
You're never in one place. Clients are across suburbs. Half your clients you might never see. This guide walks you through setting up Petboost for dog walking.
Quick Setup Checklist
Services Setup:
- Create Group Walk service
- Create Private Walk service
- Set service areas (suburbs you cover)
- Configure buffer time for travel
Packages Setup:
- Create 5-Walk Pack
- Create 10-Walk Pack
- Create 20-Walk Pack
- Enable self-service purchase
Team Setup (if applicable):
- Add walkers as team members
- Assign services to each walker
- Set capacity per walker
Automation Setup:
- Enable Pre-Hold Funds
- Enable Auto-Start/Complete
- Enable Auto-Pay
Self-Service Setup:
- Enable self-service booking
- Enable recurring patterns
- Share booking link
1. Walk Packages for Predictable Revenue
The Problem
One-off walks are revenue rollercoasters. Some weeks you're slammed, others you're wondering where everyone went. And because many clients work from home now, their walking needs are unpredictable.
How Petboost Solves It
5-walk, 10-walk, 20-walk bundles — Create packages with volume discounts.
Balance tracking — Clients see remaining walks.
Auto-deduct per walk — One walk removed each time.
Expiration options — Use-it-or-lose-it creates urgency.
Multi-dog households — Credits shared across dogs.
Pro tip: The 20-walk package is your client retention tool. Someone who's paid for 20 walks isn't going anywhere. They're committed to at least a month of regular walking.
The Outcome
Packages create predictable revenue and client commitment. Instead of wondering about next week, you know who's already paid.
2. Self-Service Booking for Busy Pet Parents
The Problem
Your clients are busy professionals. They're in meetings when you could call them, and they're thinking about next week's walks at 9pm when you're not working.
How Petboost Solves It
24/7 online booking — Book walks anytime.
Recurring patterns — "Every Tuesday and Thursday."
Package balance visible — Clients see what they've got left.
Automatic confirmations — No back-and-forth needed.
70% of bookings happen outside business hours — Revenue you'd miss with phone-only.
Pro tip: Encourage recurring weekly patterns. Once a client is on "Tuesday/Thursday every week," they rarely change. It becomes habit for them and reliable income for you.
The Outcome
Clients book when it's convenient for them. You wake up to a full schedule without having played phone tag.
3. Service Areas to Keep Routes Tight
The Problem
A walk in Bondi, then a walk in Parramatta, then back to the Eastern Suburbs. Without zone management, you're driving more than walking.
How Petboost Solves It
Service area configuration — Define the suburbs you cover.
Zone-based scheduling — See walks by area.
Travel buffer settings — Time between appointments.
Different pricing by zone — Premium for distant areas.
Pro tip: Create "Inner" and "Outer" service zones. Inner zone is standard pricing. Outer zone has a travel surcharge. The system adds it automatically.
The Outcome
Tighter routes, less driving, more walking. Your day becomes efficient instead of scattered.
4. Payments Without Seeing Clients
The Problem
You might never see many of your clients. You pick up their dog while they're at work, return the dog before they're home. So when exactly are you supposed to get paid?
How Petboost Solves It
Card on file — Captured at signup.
Package prepayment — Full bundle paid upfront.
Per-walk charging — Auto-charge after each walk.
Invoice automation — Professional receipts sent automatically.
Pro tip: With packages, the payment is already done. With per-walk pricing, it happens automatically after each walk. Either way, you never have the payment conversation.
The Outcome
Getting paid happens in the background. No invoices to send, no payments to chase.
5. Walk Notes and Photos That Build Trust
The Problem
Clients leave their dogs with you and go to work. They wonder: Did the walk happen? How did it go? Is my dog okay? Radio silence erodes trust.
How Petboost Solves It
Walk notes — Quick notes after each walk.
Photo attachments — Snap a pic during the walk.
Client-visible updates — Owners see notes in their portal.
Timestamp documentation — Proof the walk happened.
Pro tip: A happy dog photo during the walk does more for client retention than any marketing. Share the joy, build the relationship.
The Outcome
Walk documentation builds trust with clients you might never meet. They know their dog was walked, they see the photos, they feel connected.
Key Stats for Dog Walkers
- 70%+ bookings happen outside business hours
- Predictable revenue with walk packages
- Service zones for efficient routing
- Zero payment chasing with card on file
Start Your Free Trial
If this fits how you want to run your walking business, start your free trial at business.petboost.com/register. No credit card required.
