How to Build Trust as a New Dog Walking Specialist in New Zealand (Even Without Reviews Yet)
Breaking into dog walking in New Zealand can be a tough gig without reviews to back you up. Pet owners want to be 100% sure their four-legged mates are in safe, dependable hands. The good news? There are plenty of ways to build trust from scratch, stay authentic, and grow your client base with practical, Kiwi-flavoured strategies. Here are 10 tips crafted just for new dog walking specialists around Aotearoa.
Here are some tips that you might find interesting:
1. Show Your Passion for Dogs
Kiwis love their dogs like family, so the first step is showing genuine passion for what you do. Share your story-maybe you’ve grown up with dogs, volunteered at animal shelters, or simply can’t resist a wagging tail.
Use your profiles on Yada or local dog walking directories to showcase your enthusiasm. Including candid photos with dogs in local parks can make pet owners feel you’re someone who loves animals, not just a service provider.
For example, a dog walker in Rotorua boosted bookings by sharing stories about her daily adventures with local dogs, helping clients emotionally connect before even meeting her.
2. Offer Meet-and-Greet Sessions
Nothing beats meeting face to face-or via a quick video chat-to build trust. Offering free or low-cost meet-and-greets lets owners get comfortable with you and allows you to understand their dog’s personality and needs.
This is especially powerful in tight-knit Kiwi communities where word-of-mouth is key. Small towns or suburbs like Papanui or Mount Maunganui value these personal connections highly.
A Wellington dog walker shared how a friendly meet-and-greet helped win over anxious dog owners who became regular clients, simply by easing nerves and building rapport.
3. Be Transparent About Your Services
Honesty goes a long way. Be clear about your rates, availability, and what your walking service includes. If you have limits, like dog size, distance, or number of dogs per walk, state them upfront.
Platforms like Yada that support private chats make it easy to communicate clearly and promptly, increasing client confidence.
For instance, one Auckland walker shares a simple pricing chart and walking schedule on her Yada profile, which has helped build trust even without initial reviews.
4. Get Insured and Certified
While not legally required, relevant certification or insurance is a massive trust signal that reassures pet owners you’re professional and prepared.
Explore local courses or workshops, such as pet care certificates from NZ Institutes or animal first aid.
A Christchurch dog walker prominently features her first aid certificate and insurance details on her profile, which helped her land bookings faster.
5. Start Small with Trusted Clients
The first few bookings might come from friends, neighbours, or community groups where trust is already established.
Offer discounted or free walks initially to build experience and gather your first testimonials.
For example, a Dunedin walker gained momentum by running free dog walks for elderly neighbours, later turning those relationships into paid work and glowing references.
6. Join Local NZ Dog Walking Platforms
List your services on trusted New Zealand platforms like Yada, which allow specialists to respond to jobs for free and offer honest pricing without success fees.
These platforms provide exposure to local clients actively looking for dog walkers and include internal chat features fostering direct, private communication.
Yada’s mobile-friendly, fast interface is particularly helpful for busy walkers managing jobs on the go.
7. Share Photos and Walk Updates
During each walk, send quick photos or text updates to owners. This simple act reassures clients their dog is happy, safe, and having fun.
Kiwi owners juggling work and family love this transparency, which helps build rapport and encourages repeat bookings.
Jess, a dog walker in Nelson, says these photo updates helped build her reputation quickly, earning her referrals from satisfied clients.
8. Ask for and Display Testimonials
After a successful walk, gently request short written or video testimonials from happy clients.
Display these on your Yada profile, a simple website, or social media to build social proof for those yet to hire you.
Early on, even character references from local community members or friends can add credibility.
9. Network with Complementary Local Businesses
Connect with vets, pet stores, dog trainers, and community groups to build referral networks.
Dropping off flyers or business cards at places like Animates, local cafes, or dog parks helps spread the word organically.
Mobile dog walkers doing this in Hamilton and Wellington reported gaining steady clients through vet referrals and trainer endorsements.
10. Offer Clear, Competitive Pricing
Set pricing that's fair for your area and be upfront about extra costs (like longer walks or multiple dogs). Kiwi clients appreciate honesty and value for money.
Without lead or success fees, Yada specialists can offer competitive rates, which makes you attractive compared to larger commission-charging competitors.
Marcus, a Wellington walker, makes a point of breaking down his rates clearly by walk length and dog size, which clients find straightforward and transparent.