How to Track Dog Walking Clients, Payments and Taxes
By Cedar & Ledger
Dog walking pays in lots of small amounts: $20 here, $32 there, some by app, some in cash, some "I'll pay you Friday." A simple routine keeps track of the money without eating your evenings.
Log every walk the same day
- One row per walk or visit: date, client, service, price, tip, any add-ons and how they paid.
- If they haven't paid yet, mark it Unpaid. Change it when the money arrives.
- Write down card and app fees. Small fees on many small payments add up over a year.
Know who owes you
- Check your unpaid list once a week, on the same day.
- Send one friendly reminder with the dates and the total, not a vague "you owe me."
- Agree on billing in writing up front: weekly or per visit, how they pay, and what happens to late cancellations.
See what a week really made
- Add up walks, income and tips for the week.
- Subtract your fixed costs (insurance, booking app, the business share of your phone) so slow weeks show up honestly.
- Compare with a weekly goal so you notice early when you need another regular client.
Keep expenses and set aside for taxes
- Common costs: insurance and bonding, leashes and gear, treats and poop bags, apps, phone, gas or mileage, pet first aid classes and marketing.
- Keep receipts and log business miles. Driving between walks is often your biggest deduction.
- If you're self-employed in the US, you may owe quarterly estimated taxes. Setting aside a fixed share of profit (many people use 25-30%) avoids a big April bill. Check current IRS guidance or a tax professional.
If you want a spreadsheet
The 2027 Dog Walker & Pet Sitter Business Tracker does all of this in Excel or Google Sheets: a walk log, who owes you per client, expenses, weekly income against your fixed costs, and a quarterly tax set-aside.
Work more than one job? All 5 of our 2027 job trackers (nurse, server and bartender, hairstylist, personal trainer, dog walker) are in the 2027 Work & Pay Trackers Bundle for $19.
Run more than one home service? Our 2027 dog walker, house cleaning and lawn care trackers are in the 2027 Home Service Business Trackers Bundle for $15.
Get all 5 for $22: our 2027 dog walker, house cleaning, lawn care, handyman and car detailing trackers are in the 2027 Service Business Trackers Bundle.
Related template: 2027 Dog Walker & Pet Sitter Business Tracker. Also see: Mileage Log & Car Expense Tracker · Side Hustle Income & Expense Tracker · 2027 Car Detailing Business Tracker
See all Cedar & Ledger templates
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Frequently asked questions
What does this guide cover?
Track dog walks and pet-sitting visits, who still owes you, expenses and weekly income, and set aside money for quarterly taxes.
Do I need a template to do this?
No. A notebook or a sheet you build yourself works fine. Cedar & Ledger also sells spreadsheet templates (I'd earn from a purchase); see the template box at the top of this page.
Is this financial advice?
No. It's general information with example numbers only, not financial, tax, legal or medical advice. Use your own numbers and check anything important with a qualified professional or the official source.