Doggie walking business

THREE years after first putting up a dog walking services poster on an Armstrong Creek shopping centre bulletin board, now 16-year-old Milly Angleton employs 15 people to help her walk 32 dogs throughout the surrounding estates.

What started as a source of extra pocket money has now grown into the registered business Armstrong Creek Dog Walks that services Sanctuary Estate, Ashbury Estate and Mt Duneed.

“It has been really good learning, because I do the books and pays and all that sort of stuff, so I’ve learnt how to budget and do things myself,” she said.

One of the keys to business, Ms Angleton has already discovered, is finding the right staff.

“I have to interview all of them obviously to make sure that they are going to be able to handle all sized dogs or strength dogs, so finding people that are reliable and capable is quite hard.

“I usually always bring a dog with me when meeting so I can see how they interact with the dog and if they’re well-spoken towards me, and confident… because they’re dealing with people.”

Those that pass the test join Ms Angleton’s growing group of walkers.

Most of the business comes through Facebook, although its presence on Instagram is growing alongside pictures of the many dogs she and her team walk, and the clients are as varied as their dogs.

“Local people, families, couples that live by themselves, anyone with a dog… busy people. Most are people who have jobs and kids and can’t find enough time to get in all the walks so they just book a couple in for the week.”

The average walk is around 45 minutes, though that can be tailored according to the customer and dog’s needs, but they’re always on leads.

“Even if they’re good off lead, I don’t want to risk it.”

Living in a growth area with more people and dogs all the time, Ms Angleton’s sites are similarly expansive.

“Hopefully in the near future I can branch out to new areas, like Torquay, Ocean Grove and I was thinking of doing accessories as well.”

Already she’s asked by owners what leads and harnesses work best for their dogs and she’s now considering taking a behavioural course to expand her service.

“Some of the dogs aren’t great with other dogs, so being able to understand and help them a bit as well while I’m doing it is important.”