The Retirement Newsletter: Owning a dog — hobby or side-hustle?
Issue Number: -8.5 — Ten ways to make some money with your dog skills
Welcome
Welcome to issue -8.5 — if you are wondering about the weird issue numbering system, please see issue -9.5 — negative issue numbers, fractions, plans, and advice for an explanation.
This week — owning a dog, hobby, or a potential side-hustle?
Owning a dog, a hobby, or a potential side-hustle?
Back in issue -11 — Dogs, numbers and poppies? — I wrote about getting a dog in my retirement. My argument was that owning a dog would keep me fit, provide companionship, get me out of the house and mean I would still meet people.
I also pointed out that the best types of dogs are other people’s dogs because it means that person is responsible for picking up after it and paying the vet bills. And there is a key point — dogs are ‘cost centres’. They cost money. But, could a dog be away to make some money in your retirement?
Here are ten ways to turn owning a dog, or being a lover of dogs, into a side-hustle in your retirement.
1. Dog Walking Services
Where I live, a surprising number of people work and have dogs, and those dogs need walking when their owners are at work. So, if you own a dog, why not take your dog for a walk, along with a couple of other dogs that need the exercise? You won’t earn a fortune doing this, but it could bring in a little cash to help with vet bills. Several local retirees do this, as I see them walk by my house several times a day with different dogs. You could charge per walk or offer packages for regular clients.
2. Pet Sitting or Boarding
People on holiday or extended work trips where they can’t take their dog need someone to look after them. So, if you have a dog, why not offer a pet-sitting or pet-boarding service? This could be at your home or theirs. If at their home, you also save on heating and lighting. Again, I know of at least two local retirees that offer this service.
3. Doggy Daycare
This is similar to pet sitting or boarding, but this is just daycare — the dog doesn’t stay with you overnight. You could open a doggy daycare where pet owners can drop off their dogs for the day. This would be especially useful for people who work long hours and want their pets looked after all day.
4. Dog Walking Group
If you own a dog, particularly one that likes long walks in the countryside, you probably know all your area’s best routes and hikes. So, why not share that knowledge and information? I have seen many local walking groups where people pay to meet to go on walks, but I have yet to come across one for dog owners. Setting up such a group could be a fun way to make money; plus, you get outside, walk your dog and meet some people with a shared interest.
5. Dog Exercise Group
If walking is not your thing, you could organise group exercise classes for dogs and their owners. This could include activities like dog yoga (doga) or agility training. Again, it could be a fun way to make some money and meet people with similar interests.
6. Dog Training Classes
For this one, you must know what you are doing and have experience training dogs. But if you have the expertise, why not set up dog training classes? Many dog owners will pay for help in training their pets.
7. Pet Grooming
If you have owned a dog for years, you may have picked up some pet grooming skills, or you could pick up some pet grooming skills and turn your love of dogs into a pet grooming side-hustle. You could offer basic grooming services such as bathing, brushing, and nail clipping. You could do this from your home or as a mobile service. The choice is yours.
8. Dog Products Sales
If you are creative, you could make and sell dog-related products. This could be anything from homemade dog treats to personalised dog accessories such as leads, collars, coats, toys and more. You could sell these online or at local markets.
9. Blogging/newsletter
Yes, this is a firm favourite of mine that appears in many of my side-hustle lists — blogging and/or a newsletter.
If you are a dog owner, you could blog about you and your dog. You could write about how you care for your dog or do tips on training. You could do an adventure/travel type blog.
You could monetise the blog/newsletter through ads, sponsorships, or affiliate marketing related to pet products. Or you could use your blog or newsletter to build an email list to sell services and promote your products.
10. YouTube
Again, YouTube is another favourite suggestion of mine and appears in many of my side-hustle lists.
You could start a YouTube channel that covers caring for dogs, dog training tips, or chronicling your dog’s adventures.
You could make some money once you hit the payment criteria for your video views. Or, as with a blog or newsletter, you could use affiliate links or sponsorship to make money.
You could also use your YouTube channel to build an email list to sell your services or products.
Final note
So, that was 10 ways to turn your doggy interests into money money-making side- hustle. But, beware, make sure you check local regulations and laws to obtain necessary licenses or permits before starting any of the above side-hustles. While you may not need specialised training, registration or insurance for some of the suggestions, you may need such things for some services, so please check.
Travel — Nostalgia Corner
This week, three stories from Malaysia:
Malaysia — Johor Bahru — Hutan Bandar, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia — This story is strange and typically Malaysian. Near where I lived in Malaysia, I found a park with a lot of money spent on it at one point. The park showed all the signs of the money running out before competition, and parts of it were now abandoned. One building in the park would make an excellent set for Dr Who.
Malaysia — Johor Bahru — Restoran Todak 旗鱼海番村, Johor Bahru, Malaysia — And this is an example of what they do so well in Malaysia — genuinely fantastic food.
Malaysia — Johor Bahru — Kedai Makanan Hook Sang, Bukit Indah, Johor, Malaysia — And yet more incredible food.
Next week, some stories from a weekend road trip to Malacca, Malaysia,
Next week
Next week, in issue -8, I will look back at all the side-hustles for retirement I have suggested and ask if I have missed anything obvious.
Thanks
Thanks for taking the time to read this newsletter, and please don't hesitate to share it with your friends or on social media using the buttons below.
If you want to say 'thanks' to the newsletter, why not buy me a cup of tea?
Until next time,
Nick
PS, If you would like to contribute something to the newsletter — a story, advice, anything — please get in touch.