The Heugh · East Lothian
Starting a Dog Walking Business in The Heugh
A straight answer on local rules, insurance and your first clients around The Heugh and East Lothian.
The Heugh is as reasonable a place as any to start a dog walking business -- just be aware that local councils and parks across East Lothian can set their own professional dog-walking rules, which vary from area to area.
The Heugh at a glance
A Recurring, Not One-Off, Trade
Most dog walking clients book on a regular, recurring basis rather than as a one-off -- across East Lothian, that makes it one of the more predictable pet-service businesses to build from scratch.
Areas covered
Postcodes
Dog Walking in The Heugh
What the rules say
Plain dog walking carries no general UK-wide licence. The line to watch is day care and home boarding -- both are licensable under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, unlike walking itself, and neither is covered by this guide. Separately, and genuinely locally: some councils and specific parks run their own dog-walking licence or permit schemes, and dogs-per-walker limits (where they exist at all) are set locally, often via a Public Spaces Protection Order -- there's no single national number, so check the specific area you plan to walk in. Every dog must wear a collar showing the owner's name and address under the Control of Dogs Order 1992, and clearing up after your dogs is a legal duty enforced through local PSPOs. Public liability insurance stays optional in law for a sole trader; employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement from your first non-family employee onward.
Questions about starting in The Heugh
Do I need a DBS check to walk dogs in The Heugh?
Not as a blanket rule. It's a commercial trust-building choice, most relevant if you'll be holding a client's house keys in The Heugh -- it isn't a confirmed legal requirement either way for general dog walking.
How do I find my first dog walking clients in The Heugh?
Many new dog walkers in The Heugh start through personal networks, local dog-owner Facebook groups, a Google Business Profile, and partnerships with local vets, pet shops and groomers.
What happens if a dog in my care fouls in public in The Heugh?
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 Heugh.
Can I offer group walks as well as solo walks in The Heugh?
Yes -- many dog walkers in The Heugh 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.
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