How to become a dog walker in Prague: A beginner's guide
Dog walking is an increasingly sought-after service in Prague. The working population of Prague is becoming more time-constrained, and dogs require exercise. If you love dogs and want to earn money by exercising outdoors, here is everything you need to know.
What does a dog walker actually do?
Dog walker: in Czech psí průvodce or psí walker: takes clients' dogs out when owners cannot do so themselves. In practice, this involves collecting the dog (or multiple dogs) in the morning, taking them on a 60-90 minute walk, and returning them home. The service can be provided individually (one dog, individual attention) or in groups (3-6 dogs at once).
A typical work route in Prague includes parks (Stromovka, Divoká Šárka, Ladronka, Kunratický les) or residential areas with ample green spaces. Working hours are usually 7:00-10:00 and 16:00-19:00, or midday walks for flexible clients.
Legislation: Trade licence and insurance in the Czech Republic
Dog walking in the Czech Republic does not require any special licence or certificate, but if you operate as a sole trader (OSVČ), you must have trade licence. The correct category is Public catering activities - keeping animals or more generally Manufacturing, trade and services not listed in Appendices 1 to 3 of the Trade Licensing Act. (free trade). Registration is completed online via the Unified Registration Form (JRF) on the Trade Entrepreneurship portal.
As for insurance, liability insurance for damage It is absolutely essential. If the dog you are walking bites another dog or a person, or causes a traffic accident, you bear responsibility for the damage. Annual liability insurance for dog walkers costs around 1 500-3 500 Kč per year (Generali, Allianz, Kooperativa).
How much does a dog walker in Prague earn?
Rates in Prague range between 200-350 Kč for one inspection one dog (60-90 minutes). The price is lower for group walks: approximately 150-200 Kč per dog. Experienced walkers with a good reputation charge up to 400 Kč for an individual VIP walk.
Example of monthly income calculation: 5 dogs × 20 working days × 250 Kč = 25 000 Kč gross. After deducting taxes, health and social insurance, the net amount is approximately 18 000-20 000 Kč. An experienced walker with a regular client base of 8-10 dogs can earn a gross monthly income of 35 000-50 000 Kč.
How to find your first clients
The beginning is the hardest. Here are the most effective ways to get your first clients in Prague:
- mazlic.cz - Create a profile on mazlic.cz and contact owners looking for a dog walker in your area. The portal connects demand and supply directly.
- Facebook groups - Prague has dozens of local groups for dog owners (Psi v Praze, Hundz Prague, Prager Hunde). Post an entry with a photo, references and contact details.
- Leaflets for letterboxes - Printing 200 leaflets and dropping them into the letterboxes of surrounding residential buildings costs very little, but the effect can be surprising.
- Instagram - Photograph walks, dogs and parks. Local hashtags such as #psivpraze or #prazkypsi will bring you organic followers.
- Veterinary clinics Leave your business cards with friendly vets. They are your best referrers.
Equipment you need
Basic equipment for a dog walker does not require a large investment:
- Ties and Leads - carabiner leads for multiple dogs at once; each dog should have its own lead
- Harnesses - for larger dogs, a harness is safer than a collar when pulling
- Poop bags - always, always, always. In Prague, fines for failing to clean up after a dog are strict.
- First aid kit for dogs - disinfection, bandages, tick bite treatment
- Water and bowl - especially in the summer months
- Application for route tracking - clients will appreciate a report with a map of the walk (Wag app, Time to Pet or simply Google Maps)
Safety: How to handle multiple dogs at once
Group dog walking is more profitable but also more demanding. Basic rules:
- Never start group walks without a prior individual meeting with each new dog.
- Keep dogs of various sizes and temperaments on a short lead until you know how they will react.
- Allow free movement only in fenced areas or for well-tested dogs.
- Always keep track of all dogs: never let your guard down.
- Learn to read canine body language: a stiff tail, rigid stance, and growling signal the onset of conflict.
Are you looking for a dog walker job?
On mazlic.cz you can find current job offers as a dog walker or pet sitter in Prague and other cities. Register and contact dog owners in your area.
View offers on mazlic.cz