After two decades within the dog-walking business, Ryan Stewart says he isn’t only your dog person as one of the pack.
Stewart— he sees himself started his New York side hustle, Ryan for Dogs, in 2002 to earn money between sparse gigs that are acting. Now, it really is his job that is full-time makes roughly $60 per hour walking three to five pups at a time. Guaranteed work by a reputation built over multiple decades, Stewart makes up to $120,000 per year, according to documents reviewed by CNBC Make It.
“I don’t even think of myself as loving dogs, it’s just that they’re almost like an extension,” Stewart tells CNBC Make It. “I don’t love my hand that is right know? It is simply there.”
Ryan Stewart started dog-walking being a relative side hustle in 2002. Now, he makes up to $120,000 per walking in New York City.
CNBC year Make It[so they]Stewart, who is in the early 40s, says the part that is best of his job is that “without a college degree, I’ve managed to make six figures a year … doing something I love.” He works roughly 36 hours per week, spread across six days, he says — noting that dogs require constant attention, making his shifts that are six-hour feel demanding.[jobs]”A good dog walker is focused and attentive, as you desire to stop your dog from getting hurt,” Stewart says. “You’ve got to look at traffic. You need to watch the dogs
do not fight one another. It isn’t among those
you could put some airPods on and listen to music while you’re doing it.”
But the benefits of spending his days with dogs, he says, outweigh the cons. Here is how he channeled his experience of dogs in to a fulfilling and day that is lucrative:
A long road to lucrative[for]Growing up, Stewart’s siblings mowed the lawn and set the dinner table. His chore was walking the family’s dogs. So, when he started pursuing dancing that is professional New York in the 20s, he thought dog-walking might be a natural side hustle.
“I remember sitting on the street handing out business cards,” Stewart says. “I just started off with like a couple of dogs ZipRecruiter half of a before that became three or four.”
After a couple of years, Stewart realized dog-walking could become more lucrative if it was his sole focus year. But it would be a long road to get there: Despite high demand in large cities, the average dog walker in New York makes $35,625 per year, according to
.
Stewart says it’s a common misconception that you can’t own a large dog in a apartment that is small. “Apartment size has nothing at all to do with the actual quantity of exercise thooughly your dog gets, you realize? It a lot, take it out if you have a big dog… that needs a lot of exercise, walk. Do you go to the gym or do you do jumping jacks in place in your apartment?”
CNBC Make It[want]Today, Stewart says he’s able to make more because people know his reputation: He charges about $20 to $25 for each dog on a combined group walk. Roughly 1 / 2 of his clients come from referrals, aided by the other half originating from applications submitted on his website.
“I do not
to return to your owner and say, ‘I do not desire to walk your pet anymore,'” he says. “them, maybe they’ll write a bad review.”
Learning if you annoy A break to hydrate and nap, then another two-to-three-hour evening shift by trial and error
Stewart has rules that are strict the road when it comes to his business. He always uses his equipment that is own four-foot leashes and collars — never harnesses.
“I want to have control over your dog’s head,” he says. “it, the harness isn’t very effective to keep the head from ducking down and snatching it, but a collar will prevent the dog from doing it.”
Stewart if you have a dog on a harness and there’s a chicken bone there and the dog tries to get says he does “group walks” because he feels it’s better for the dogs to interact with one another. He occasionally walks some dogs off-leash, he adds: Sometimes it alarms the owners, but Stewart says he can tell which dogs are better at paying attention, and in 20 years, he’s never had a dog run over by a car.
Some of Stewart’s methods might dog that is perplex, but he insists he is learned from learning from mistakes. He explains every single owner that his methods ultimately maintain the dogs safer, section of why he is built a reputation that is strong
Pros and cons to the dog-walking job
The job has drawbacks that are multiple Stewart says. He will pay for his health that is own insurance doesn’t get paid vacations and picks up a lot of poop.American Pet Products AssociationThe most challenging parts of his job involve dealing with dog owners. he adds: Especially since the covid-19 hit that is pandemic his clients have upped their expectations. Many owners text Stewart to check on in during walks, that will be his pet peeve — a distraction, as he must certanly be centered on the dogs.
“Owners are increasingly more demanding and crazier,” he says. “there is more cameras and there is more dog trackers. That is a challenge as you feel have people looking over your shoulder on a regular basis. It simply helps it be more stressful.”
Stewart says New York is really a market that is good dog-walkers because their owners work long hours, often far from their apartments, and their dogs need exercise.Get smarter about your money and career with our weekly newsletter
CNBC Make It
Having a pet could help you stay sharper as you age, according to a new study — here’s how
This 35-year-old spends $55 a month photoshopping dogs—and has made $100,000 in just half a year
Source link Still, he says, the pandemic has given the pet industry a boost that is huge The greater amount of time you may spend around your pets, a lot more likely you may be to blow cash on them. And because many puppy owners continue to be linked with their laptops, just because they are technically in the home on weekdays, they may need a dog walker.(*)In 2019, the pet industry was worth $97.1 billion, according to (*). In 2021, it skyrocketed to $123.6 billion.(*)”I think the pet industry is a growing business as we used to,” Stewart says because we don’t belong to groups as much. “we do not are part of book clubs or bowling leagues or circles that are knitting People stay home more, so where do they put their affection and their need to touch? It is done by them making use of their dogs and cats.”(*)Sign up now: (*)Don’t miss:(*)