Dog Walking Forms
Dog walking is a very simple business to run, but you are going to need a way to gather and manage information about your clients. To gather information, forms are the best way to go. To manage information, you need some sort of very simple database, or a contact/phone directory that can hold a lot of extra fields.
One solution I recommend that is free is using Google Docs. You can create forms online for free in Google Docs, and then send your clients to fill out the form via a link from your website (or just a simple welcome email that you send to all new clients). You can also email the Google Docs forms to new clients directly. After the form is filled out, Google Docs is smart enough to make it into a spreadsheet.
So long as you have less than fifty dog walking clients or so, you could print out that spreadsheet in a small form (in very small type, fitting two pages on to one page) and just fold it in your on-the-go dog walking bag. That way you can always access your client's information online via Google Docs, but should your internet connection fail, you will still have all the information printed out in your dog walking kit. It is always a good idea to have a backup like this, and having detailed information about all your clients on hand can make you really look like a star in a pinch.
So how many forms do you need? The answer is just enough to record what you need to know, and not a bit more. This usually means a client information sheet, a dog walking service agreement contract, a veterinarian release form and a telephone reservation form for last minute or "one-off" walks.
Client Information Sheet
As the downloadable client information sheet shows, this is where you record all the information you could need about a client and their dog, but nothing to do with their dog walk contract. If you want, you could add some additional, "nice to know" information like the owner's birthday and the dog's birthday. This gives you an opportunity to do an extra something nice on these special days just to show you how thoughtful a dog walker you are.
Dog Walking Service Agreement Contract
This is where you spell out how often you will be walking the dog and how much you will be paid for those walks. This is also where you will get the information you'll need to plan your dog walking routes for each day, and where you will record any special services that are also required beyond just walking the dog (like feeding the dog, watering the plants), etc. You can make additions to our dog walking service agreement template as you wish.
Veterinarian Release Form
Just in case the unthinkable happens, have your client sign a form that says they authorize you to bring their dog to their vet for treatment in case of an emergency. Then bring the release form to the vet and make sure they will honor it.
Telephone Reservation form
This can be just a page in a notebook, but you should have a checklist of information and a record of all calls you get for additional walks beyond the scope of contracts. All it has to include is the name, phone number, address and name of the dog, plus when the walk should be and for how long. Even for one-off walks, get your client to sign your service contract. This might seem like overkill, but dogs you don't know are more likely to cause problems than dogs you do know.
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How to Write a Dog Walking Business Plan
Dog Walking for Children and Teens
Dog Walking Services: Dogs' Day Out
Be the Best Dog Walker in Your Town
How to Handle Aggressive Dogs
How to Get a Dog Walking Job
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Additional Dog Services to Offer
Walking Puppies
How to Advertise and Promote a Dog Walking Business
How to Get Insurance for Your Dog Walking Business
How to Get Experience with Dog Walking and Dog Training
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Would You Make a Good Dog Walker? 5 Questions to Ask Yourself to Find Out
How To Interview Clients: The Owners and Their Dogs
Dog Training Basics Every Dog Walker Must Know: Dog Walkers' Obedience Training
Dog Walking Safety Tips
Dog First Aid
Dog Walking Etiquette
Dog Walking Flyers
Dog Walking Business Names
How to Stop a Dog Fight
Dog Walking Business Cards
Dog Walking Rates
Dog Walking Tips
Reviews of Dog Walking Business Books
Dog Walking Forms