Dog walking business has big payoff

Global Business

Roy Aviles has always made a living pursuing his passions. First it was tattoos, then it was cooking, and now its dogs. CCTV America’s Karina Huber profiles this dog lover.

Aviles said he has 300 clients and more than 300 dogs. He bought the business 15 years ago for $80,000 and now he has 26 employees.

Despite growing competition, Aviles said he makes more than $140,000 annually, after expenses. It’s an attractive sum but dog walking is not for the faint-hearted.

“My job could get very dangerous. Everyone thinks it’s just walking, picking up poop, that’s it. No. It gets to a point where you have dogs that you can’t even leash and it’s my job to actually put a leash on them. Nicely and do it where no one gets hurt,” he said.

In order to be a successful dog walker you have to be good with both dogs and with humans. Establishing trust with dog owners is crucial.

Roy has learned to handle all kinds of dogs, big and small. It is challenging at times, but he wouldn’t choose to do anything else, he said.