The Braids · City of Edinburgh
How to Start a Dog Walking Business in The Braids
What you need to know about local licensing, insurance and getting started -- specific to The Braids and the wider City of Edinburgh area.
Starting a dog walking business in The Braids? There's no single national licence for plain dog walking, but local councils and parks across City of Edinburgh often set their own rules -- here's what genuinely matters before your first walk.
The Braids at a glance
A Trade Built on Trust and Repeat Business
Clients tend to stick with the same dog walker for years once trust is established -- across City of Edinburgh, that loyalty gives a new business a genuinely stable base to grow from.
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Dog Walking in The Braids
What the rules say
There's no general national licence for plain dog walking in the UK. Dog day care and home boarding are different -- both are licensable activities under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, and sit outside what this guide covers. What does vary locally is real: some councils and parks run their own professional dog-walking licence or permit schemes, and any 'number of dogs per walker' limit is set locally too, usually via a Public Spaces Protection Order -- check the specific council or park you intend to use rather than assuming a single UK-wide rule. Every dog you walk in public must wear a collar showing the owner's name and address (Control of Dogs Order 1992), and you're responsible for clearing up after every dog in your care. Public liability insurance isn't a legal requirement for a sole trader, but employers' liability insurance becomes a legal requirement the moment you take on non-family staff.
Questions about starting in The Braids
What happens if a dog in my care fouls in public in The Braids?
You're responsible for clearing up after every dog in your care, every time -- it's an offence not to, enforced through the Public Spaces Protection Order covering The Braids.
Can I offer group walks as well as solo walks in The Braids?
Yes -- many dog walkers in The Braids offer both. Group walks carry a different risk and insurance profile from one-to-one walks, so it's worth confirming your cover reflects whichever model you choose.
Do I need a licence to start a dog walking business in The Braids?
No general national licence covers plain dog walking. Some councils and specific parks run their own professional dog-walking licence or permit schemes, so check directly with the council or parks team covering The Braids before you start.
Is dog walking the same as dog day care or home boarding for licensing purposes in The Braids?
No -- day care and home boarding are licensable activities under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, wherever you're based, including The Braids. Plain dog walking with no overnight stay generally isn't, which is why this guide covers walking only.
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