New Yorker makes over $100 a year walking dogs

After 20 years running dogs, Ryan Stewart says he doesn't just love them, he sees himself as one of the pack. CNBC.

Stewart founded his New York-based side hustle Ryan for Dogs in 2002 to make money between rare acting gigs. Now it's his full time job. He makes about $60 an hour walking three to five puppies at a time. With a reputation built over several decades, Stewart earns up to $120 a year.

“I don't even think I like dogs, they're just an extension of me,” Stewart says. “I don’t like my right hand, it just is.”

Stewart says the best part of his job is that without a college degree, he makes six figures a year. And he does what he loves. He works approximately 36 hours a week. Dogs require constant attention, making his six-hour shifts often feel long.

“A good dog walker is focused and attentive so your dog doesn't get hurt,” Stewart says. - You have to watch the traffic. Also keep an eye on the dogs so they don't fight each other. It's not a job when you can put on AirPods and listen to music."

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According to Stewart, mistakes in his field are costly. Small slips can result in a dog's tail getting stuck in the door, resulting in a $2000 veterinary bill.

But the benefits of spending his days with dogs, he says, outweigh the cons. Here's how he turned his relationship with dogs into a full-time, lucrative day job.

Long road to profit

Growing up, Stewart's siblings mowed the lawn and set the dinner table. His duty was to walk the family's dogs. So when he started dancing professionally in New York at age 20, he thought dog walking could be fun.

“I remember standing outside handing out business cards,” Stewart says. “I started with one or two dogs for six months, then there were three or four.”

After a couple of years, Stewart realized that dog walking could become more profitable if it was his only occupation. But despite strong demand in major cities, according to ZipRecruiter, the average dog walker in New York earns $35 a year.

Stewart says he makes more money because people know his reputation. He charges $20 to $25 for each dog on a group walk. Approximately half of his clients are referrals and the other half are applications submitted on his website.

Stewart says he is selective about the types of dogs and owners he works with. And only responds to 10% of the queries it receives on its website.

“I don’t want to go back to the owner and say I don’t want to walk his dog anymore,” he explained.

Trial and error learning

Stewart's weekday schedule includes two to three hours of walking in the morning, a nap break, and then another two to three hours in the evening. On Saturdays it is open from one to two hours. And almost every Sunday he takes a day off.

Stewart has strict rules of the road when it comes to his business. He always uses his own equipment, including leashes and collars.

“I like to control the dog's head,” he says. - If you have a dog on a harness and there is a chicken bone, the dog tries to get it. The harness is not very effective at keeping the head from bending over and grabbing it, but the collar will prevent the dog from doing so.”

He does group walks because he thinks it's better for dogs to interact with each other.

Some of Stewart's methods may puzzle dog owners, but he insists he learned through trial and error. He explains to each owner that his methods ultimately make dogs safer.

The pros and cons of working as a dog walker

According to Stewart, this work has many shortcomings. He pays for his own health insurance, doesn't get paid holidays, and collects a lot of poop.

The hardest part of his job is dealing with dog owners. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, his customers have raised their expectations. Many owners text Stuart while walking, which is a distraction when he should be focused on the dogs.

“Owners are becoming more demanding and insane,” he says. - It's not easy, because you feel that people are looking over your shoulder all the time. It only adds to the stress.”

However, he says the pandemic has given a huge boost to the pet industry. The more time you spend around your pets, the more likely you are to spend money on them. And since many dog ​​owners are still tethered to their laptops, even though they are technically at home on weekdays, they may need a dog walker.

According to the American Pet Products Association, the pet industry was worth $2019 billion in 97,1. In 2021, the numbers soared to $123,6 billion.

“I think the pet industry is a growing business,” Stewart says. “We don't belong to book clubs, bowling leagues, or knitting clubs. People stay at home more, so where do they put their affection and need for touch? They do it with their cats and dogs.”