Realistically how much would one expect to make from doing dog daycare (DogVacay, Rover.com)? (labs, barking)

[GoldenKiwi]

I'm not talking about a professional dog daycare place, just using a house with a yard and charging ~$25/day for people to drop their dogs off there. San Diego, central location near four major freeways. I've been curious about doing this for awhile but have no idea what to expect. Also, between DogVacay and Rover.com, which one is more popular and are there any other similar sites?

[Katie1]

And what are you going to do when dogs get into fights? Are you even allowed to have a Business where you live? You have to be Licienced & Bonded & Insured. What you talking about is called a Boarding Kennel. What are your neighbors going to say to ALL the Barking dogs!!

[GoldenKiwi]

Originally Posted by Katie1

And what are you going to do when dogs get into fights? Are you even allowed to have a Business where you live? You have to be Licienced & Bonded & Insured. What you talking about is called a Boarding Kennel. What are your neighbors going to say to ALL the Barking dogs!!

I would do whatever is legally required to do so. I've talked to several people who do it and they love it.

[Katie1]

What kind of dog experience do you have?

[GoldenKiwi]

Originally Posted by Katie1

What kind of dog experience do you have?

Helped raise a lab.

[Girl]

Originally Posted by GoldenKiwi

Helped raise a lab.

I personally don't think that's enough experience. I grew up with dogs and have been around them 40+ years. I know dogs. Helping to raise one dog - and a lab at that - is not sufficient to understand dog behavior.

[cheesenugget]

Originally Posted by GoldenKiwi

Helped raise a lab.

As the previous post mentioned, raising a lab is far different than being an experienced dog handler/caretaker. And no offense, labs in general are one of the easiest dogs to train and care for.

Other than the licensing, you will need to puppy proof your house. That may mess up your decor.

I don't know how much money you would make turning your house into a doggie daycare. I do know a neighbor and other sitters who are hired to watch the pet and home. They are paid about $20 - 30 a day. Sometimes they keep the pet in their home for the same charge. Boarding kennels can charge from $25 - 50 a night depending on the services.

By comparing your local competitors, you get a good feel of what you would expect to earn. Selling the idea that "this is a home, not a kennel" to justify higher charges may not appeal to everyone. I know if I want someone to watch my dogs, I wouldn't 1. Pick someone who have no experience with dogs (No offense, but it takes more than raising a lab) and 2. Leave my dogs at a house where there is limited space and I would be held liable should my dogs chew up your home and guests. At least, in boarding kennels, some services provide you with an app where you can check your dogs via phone 24/7. I highly doubt you would want to provide this service in your home.

Those who are successful at this takes years of trust and a list of loyal clients that you need to find. Network, advertise heavy, and convince people why they should trust their pet in your house.

I would recommend volunteering at a local shelter and get some experience working with dogs.

[twelvepaw]

Originally Posted by GoldenKiwi

I'm not talking about a professional dog daycare place, just using a house with a yard and charging ~$25/day for people to drop their dogs off there. San Diego, central location near four major freeways. I've been curious about doing this for awhile but have no idea what to expect. Also, between DogVacay and Rover.com, which one is more popular and are there any other similar sites?

As a potential client, I would want to know what qualifies you to run a dog daycare.

What is your experience with dogs? What is your skill set? Do you understand basic training practices? Are you able to read canine body language? Have you worked for or apprenticed with a trainer or daycare center?

All dogs do NOT get along. Please describe three things that tell you that there is tension between two dogs in your care and what you will do to resolve it.

How will you know that YOUR dog will welcome strange dogs into his home? What steps will you take to help him adjust?

Are you aware that dogs that get along in one situation might not get along in another situation? In other words, dogs that get along out in the yard might not get along when they are together in the house.

Are you prepared to watch the dogs in your care 24/7? Alternately, do you have crates or separate areas in your house to separate the dogs and keep them safe when you can't watch them?

Do you know how to temperament test prospective client dogs to be sure that they will get along with the other dogs in your care?

Do you know how to manage dog-dog interactions?

Are you ready, willing, and able to separate two or three dogs who are fighting? Please describe what you will do. How will you assess the injury to the dog/s and how will you determine who the aggressor was? Are you ready to be bitten, possibly multiple times, in order to separate dogs that are fighting?

What will you do in the event that a visiting dog growls at you and/or approaches you with its hackles up?

What will you do when a dog gets out of your yard? How are you going to explain to the owner that their dog is lost?

I don't think you have a comprehensive understanding of everything that is involved with running a dog daycare. Sure, it sounds like a great idea, but in practice it is an enormous responsibility, and you need a pretty strong skill set in order to make sure all dogs are kept safe.

My advice is to get a couple of years of solid dog experience under your belt; volunteer with a shelter or rescue, talk to reputable trainers and see if they will let you help them run their classes, take classes on canine first aid, attend seminars with reputable trainers/behaviorists, work for a reputable dog daycare, etc. Once you have a solid skill set, a background in training and behavior, and an understanding of the potential liabilities and issues you might face, THEN you can look at doing daycare in your home.

[DCforever]

I think you need to go to work for a service for a year first. Consider the insurance and business license you will need. Most cities limit the placement of these types of environments.

[JrzDefector]

Originally Posted by GoldenKiwi

Helped raise a lab.

I'm sorry, but that's nowhere near enough experience. Frankly, you wouldn't even be someone I'd trust to come over and let my dogs out into the yard while I'm out for the day, simply because they are herding dogs who are very smart and will walk all over someone who doesn't know how to handle them firmly.

I have a lot of friends who operate in the dog-related services area, and dogs are basically their life.