Puppy Love

Teddie McGinley gets paid to walk. Better yet, she gets to spend time with friendly—and furry—clients. She’s a professional dog-walker. Each week, McGinley and her two employees walk an 20 to 30 canines in and around Sea Cliff, New York. She also offers dog-sitting services. Read on to learn how McGinley got her start as a dog-walker, and what the work is really like. 

Dog Lover’s Delight 

McGinley has always loved animals, but not necessarily dogs. “I was really more of a cat person, growing up,” she admits. Her grandparents had outdoor cats, and often cared for injured creatures, such as raccoons and possums. This devotion to animal welfare rubbed off on her, McGinley says. 

With a graduate degree in business, McGinley’s first career was in sales. She wasn’t required to work in an office, so when friends asked if she could take care of their dogs while they were away, she was often able to help. That’s when her love for dogs took hold. 

“I’m 100% a dog person now,” McGinley says. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when many people worked from home, she noticed that everyone around her seemed to have gotten a dog. So when it was time for people to return to in-person work, dog owners needed help. That’s when McGinley saw an opportunity to start a small business doing work she loves, full-time. 

Every Dog Has Its Day 

McGinley started Barks and Rec Pet Services in 2021. Because dog-walking is serious business, she began by taking out an insurance policy to protect herself should any problems arise. “Even the smallest of dogs can be hard to control in a bad situation,” McGinley explains. “If something happens—to a person, the dog you’re walking, or another dog—you’re on the hook [financially].” 

Another precaution: Before taking on new clients, McGinley visits dogs and their owners at home. This helps her get to know them, and helps keep her safe. When McGinley enters a home to walk a dog, the animal knows and trusts her, instead of seeing her as an intruder. 

When walking a dog, it’s important to stay focused. “You can’t be distracted by your phone or music,” McGinley says. Plus, some dogs “get aggressive or scared if they see another dog or a big truck or a squirrel.” The good news, she says, is that “the longer you work with a particular dog, the easier it gets to learn their mannerisms and triggers.” 

McGinley and her employees aren’t dog-trainers, but they do reinforce behavior goals, like getting a dog to heel on the right side of a path during walks. They also offer services like feeding, playtime, and administering medications.

Work Like a Dog 

Dog-walking isn’t easy, but it has plenty of perks. McGinley works seven days a week, but not having a typical 9-to-5 workday lets her schedule personal appointments and run errands. She also likes getting outside every day. Sometimes, it’s 75° and sunny. Other times, it’s raining or snowing. But even bad weather doesn’t spoil McGinley’s enjoyment of the job. 

What does it take to be a successful dog-walker? First, a dog-walker must be comfortable with dogs of all shapes and sizes. McGinley’s clients range from an eight-pound mini Yorkie to a 200-pound mastiff. A dog-walker must also be good with scheduling. “All the dogs need to be walked in the same prime-time range—11 to 2—so time-management is key,” she says. And don’t forget to “always carry extra poop bags in your pocket,” she adds.

Even though her sales career was more profitable, McGinley says she wouldn’t trade her dog-walking business for the chance to earn more money. “Don’t let people tell you that you can’t do what you want,” she says. “If you really love something and you want to make a career out of it, you’ll find a way to make it work.”