I do still attend school so will walk the dogs after schools hours and on weekends and holidays. I also have experience with dogs as I ve grown up with them. So, my final questions is; am I too young?
Answer:
Joe: No, you are not too young. Not at all actually. Just make a list of requirements. I recommend letting people know that the dogs you walk should be friendly and behave around other animals. Other than that you are fine.
You must be in in 9th grade? So next year you will be able to get a job anywhere (almost) I'm 16 rn in 11th grade and I just started working at CVS. When. I was 15 my friends worked for businesses that were not owned by chain companies. If you're 15 you can work for any non-chain organization
Lorraine: Personally I'd say you are too young for various reasons...the first of which is that you'd never get insurance at your age and I believe it is essential that you have liability insurance.
Secondly people don't usually need their dogs walked after school hours and at weekends. They are usually around themselves to do that.
Thirdly and most importantly, I don't think any 14 /15 yr old has the experience to deal with different dogs or different dogs they may come across while walking another.
Dutch: That depends. 30-40 years ago, a 14-15 year old had extensive experience with work, as well as a well founded sense of responsibility. New age child raising has mirrored New Age dog training. The mentality of "positive only" is accompanied by the idea that "training is never finished". Children and dogs get used to the idea that, mistakes are normal and tolerated. Most teenagers I know have a sense of "entitlement".
They have been handed things throughout life, have never experienced a full day of actual work, and feel that getting to the next level of the latest video game was a major life goal accomplished. Instead of fixing poor behavior n children, society just pastes a "syndrome" on it. and allows it to "fly". There are few 30 year olds that I would allow to pick up dog poop.....let alone take one for a walk.
Jack: That totally depends. How well do your neighbors know you? Are you dependable and responsible? Some people - again depending on how well they know you and how responsible you are - would jump at the chance for some extra walks for their dogs. Others, especially if they do not know you, will take your flyer and toss it in the garbage.
We do have one young man in our neighborhood - very well raised, very responsible - who rakes leaves, shovels snow, will help with things like cleaning out the garage, planting trees, and yes walking dogs. But he is a neighborhood 16 year old, and quite exceptional in an age of children raised to be 'entitled'. Start in your neighborhood where people know you, but really - don't expect much at your age. Sorry.
Chaca: Absolutely not too young, and what a great idea! You might also consider offering other services too, though, like nail clipping and bathing. We just got a dog and if you came around to our house offering to walk him and trim his nails I'd take you up on it. Most people know their dogs don't get enough exercise. But marketing will be key here. How to get clients? Put flyers up at grocery stores, and put flyers in mailboxes (but always take a parent with you when approaching a strangers house).
Verulam: My gut feeling is yes, you are too young and that's based on the fact that unfortunately I'd not let you take mine off for a walk. But it depends on what experience you have with dogs and how sensible you are - and whether your parents are in agreement with you doing this. You have to be reliable, and able to deal with anything you might face while out walking other peoples' dogs.
And you'd also have to be prepared to always be there for your regular walking which at your age, with goodness knows how your life will be changing in the upcoming years, may not be totally possible.
Dogs are creatures of habit and will be looking for you to take them on their regular walk. I'd also suggest that your hours may not fit in with what a lot of dogs need in terms of regular walks. Mine go out first thing, for eg.
