Helping Dog Walkers & Pet Sitters

Build Happy, Fulfilled Businesses (Without the Overwhelm)

Ever wondered how to turn your love for dogs into a business that actually pays the bills and leaves you feeling like you’ve nailed life?

That’s exactly what The Dog Walking Business Mentor is here for.

Think of me as your business bestie—here to guide you through the wild world of pet care entrepreneurship with zero jargon, plenty of laughs, and advice that actually works.

What we stand for

At Dog Walking Business Mentor Ltd, we believe that building a successful pet care business doesn’t have to mean compromising your values.

We provide tailored mentorship for dog walkers, pet sitters, and trainers who want to grow ethically, confidently, and with compassion.

Our force-free, science-based approach ensures that while your business thrives, the animals in your care remain at the heart of everything you do.

In other words? You can build a business you’re proud of—one that reflects your passion, your principles, and, yes, your love for all things furry and fabulous.

Why choose us

Here’s what makes The Dog Walking Business Mentor different:

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Expertise You Can Trust

Real-world guidance from an experienced, industry-specific mentor (that’s me!) who’s been there, done that, and got the muddy paw prints to prove it.

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Ethical & Force-Free

Always rooted in positive reinforcement and animal welfare—because your business should be as kind as it is successful.

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Community Over Competition

Join a network of like-minded professionals who lift each other up, share advice, and celebrate the wins (big and small).

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Tailored Mentorship

Personalised support that meets you and your business exactly where you are—whether you’re just starting out or ready to scale up

Nathan Dunleavy – The Dog Walking Business Mentor: Guiding You Through Every Step of Your Business Journey

Hey there! I’m Nathan..

..a qualified dog trainer, separation anxiety consultant, and (as my dogs would say, if they could type) a world-class treat dispenser.

After 15 years in corporate and business banking—yes, the world of suits, spreadsheets, and way too many emails—I realised something: I wanted more dogs and fewer boardrooms in my life.

So, I took the plunge, swapped bank statements for biscuit-filled pockets, and built two successful pet care businesses: Nathan’s Paw Trails Ltd and Nathan’s Paw Care Ltd.

Along the way, I kept bumping into brilliant, passionate people who were dreaming of starting their own pet care gigs but had no clue where to begin. Business plans? Pricing? Marketing? It all felt like an uphill slog.

So, I thought, why not share what I’ve learned? And just like that, The Dog Walking Business Mentor was born.

Nathan Dunleavy Dog Walking Business Mentor

How It Started vs. How It’s Going ⬇️

💡 Act 1: The Lightbulb Moment

Picture me, sitting at my desk in my banking job, staring at yet another spreadsheet, thinking, Is this it? I’d always loved dogs (obsessed, really), and I couldn’t shake the feeling that there had to be more to life than client calls and quarterly targets.

So, I did what any reasonable person would do: I started a dog walking business. No formal plan, just sheer enthusiasm and a slightly alarming number of post-it notes.

🐶 Act 2: The Learning Curve (aka, “What Have I Done?”)

Spoiler alert: Passion alone doesn’t magically build a business. There were so many things I didn’t know—how to price my services, find clients, or, you know, actually make a living.

I made mistakes. (A lot of them.) I undercharged, overworked, and once, quite memorably, turned up to a client consultation with muddy knees because I’d tripped on the way there. Smooth.

But I also figured stuff out—how to set boundaries, market myself without feeling cringe, and run a business that didn’t leave me glued to my phone 24/7.

🌟 Act 3: The “Wait, I Can Help Other People Do This” Bit

Fast forward to today, and I’ve helped countless dog walkers and pet sitters go from “I have no idea what I’m doing” to “I can’t believe this is my job!”

I don’t just hand you a checklist and wish you luck. I mentor you through the messy middle, the wobbly bits, and the “Why isn’t this working?!” moments. I’m here to make sure you build a business you actually enjoy—one that fits your life, not the other way around.

“I worked with Nathan on his mentoring plan for a month and it helped massively, from brain storming ideas and helping me break my end goals into bite size pieces really helped stay focused and prevented me from getting overwhelmed.

I was very welcomed in the group support chat and felt that I could drop in with any issues I had without judgement and received great advice to help me move forward.

Would highly recommend whether you’ve just started out in the business or have been doing it a while like myself and just needed a confidence boost and pointed in the right direction”

Why it matters (And why you’re absolutely capable of this)

Running a pet care business isn’t just about walking dogs and cuddling cats (although, yes, that’s the best part). It’s about freedom—the freedom to work for yourself, choose your hours, and build something that brings you joy.

I genuinely believe that if you love animals and people (because, let’s be honest, you’ll be dealing with the humans just as much as their fur babies), you can absolutely make this work. You don’t need a business degree. You don’t need to figure it all out on your own.

You just need the right guidance, a bit of encouragement, and maybe a gentle nudge when imposter syndrome kicks in.

Let’s make it happen.

Whether you’re dreaming of ditching your 9-to-5, looking to grow your side hustle, or already running a business that could use a bit of fine-tuning, I’m here to help.

At Dog Walking Business Mentor Ltd, we empower pet professionals to build thriving, ethical businesses with personalised, force-free mentorship rooted in real-world expertise and compassionate, practical guidance.

Let’s turn your passion into a business you love.

One where you get to spend more time doing what lights you up (and less time stressing about the stuff you didn’t sign up for—looking at you, bookkeeping).

Sound good? Get in Touch and let’s chat.