Case Studies

I Built an $8,000/Month Dog Sitting Business

By Diana Briceno,

Published on Jan 1, 2025   —   3 min read

Summary

I wasn't earning enough to pay the bills. So I started a dog sitting business and made $6,000 to $8,000 per month.

Highlights

  • Client: Self-owned dog sitting business
  • Industry: Pet Care
  • Problem: Financial struggles and limited career growth opportunities in a low-paying social media job
  • Solution: Optimized my profile and story behind the experience I’d offer, I offered exceptional customer service, and set up community partnerships to stand out in a competitive local market
  • Outcome:
    • Generated $6,000 to $8,000 per month
    • Expanded with additional staff
    • Built a highly trusted brand


While balancing my part-time social media manager role, I decided I needed to find a way to make extra money on the side. Here’s how I surpassed my goals in the process of working on that.

The Problem

Before starting my dog sitting business, I was working a low-paying part-time social media job. I was just starting my career, and it was tough because no one really wants to give an entry-level employee the space to learn, make mistakes, and grow.

I felt stuck. It seemed like the only way I could get the experience I wanted—and actually start learning—was by creating my own opportunities. So that’s exactly what I did.

Challenges

When I started, there were two big challenges I had to overcome:

  1. Competing with established businesses that had tons of reviews and strong rankings on Google.
  2. Going up against dog sitters on popular platforms who already had shiny badges showcasing their repeat clients and glowing reviews.

It felt like I was stepping into a game where everyone else was already way ahead, and I had to figure out how to catch up fast.

The Solution

I knew competing on Google was out of the question—it takes time to rank, and I didn’t have time to wait. But on dog sitting sites, I noticed something: new profiles got a temporary boost to the top of search results for about a week. I decided to go all-in on creating a standout profile.

Here’s what I did:

  • Created a story: I helped pet parents imagine their dog’s stay at my home, focusing on how safe and comfortable they’d feel.
  • Showcased my space: I took great pictures of my home and myself with dogs, so people could feel like they already knew me and trusted me.
  • Highlighted my unique offer: I emphasized peace of mind—unlike overcrowded pet hotels or undercharging sitters, I guaranteed their dog would be the only one (or one of just three) staying with me at a time.

It worked. Within a day, I got my first inquiry. I made it my mission to give a 5-star experience. Every dog left with a goody bag that included a toy, a treat, and a referral card.

Positive reviews started rolling in, and even after my profile’s initial boost was over, I stayed at the top of search results.

I also partnered with local dog goods businesses to get exposure in the community.

Eventually, I built up a strong recurring client base and branched out on my own. I bought my own insurance, launched a website, and kept all my clients—some of whom paid me $400 to $800 a month. No more giving a 15% cut to the dog sitting platforms!

The Outcome

The business brought in between $6,000 to $8,000 per month, with holiday months pushing earnings to the higher end.

As demand grew, I expanded by hiring and training another sitter to cover surrounding areas where I couldn’t take on clients personally.

While being a dog sitter wasn’t part of my long-term career vision, I was proud of what I built. The income was steady, the feedback was incredible, and our clients were so happy they’d bring me gifts from their trips. It was a business rooted in trust and genuine care, and that made all the difference.

Share on Facebook Share on Linkedin Share on Twitter Send by email

Subscribe to the newsletter

Subscribe to the newsletter for the latest news and work updates straight to your inbox, every week.

Subscribe