Boundaries are one of those things we hear about all the time in the pet industry.
We know we need them.
We know they matter.
We know they’d probably make life easier.
And yet… actually putting them in place can feel surprisingly hard.
If you’re a dog walker, trainer, behaviourist, groomer or pet sitter, chances are you’ve felt this before:
- replying to messages too late at night
- saying yes to a slot you didn’t really want to offer
- feeling resentful about how available you’ve become
- worrying that setting limits will make you seem unkind or unhelpful
In this episode of The Pet Biz Wellbeing Podcast, I spoke with Dr Holly Tett – clinical psychologist, dog behaviourist and dog business coach – all about what boundaries really mean in a pet business, why so many of us struggle with them and how they can support both us and our clients when we use them well.
Boundaries are not walls
One of the most important things Holly said was that boundaries are not about offering a worse service.
They are about offering a more sustainable one.
That’s such an important reframe.
Because many dog professionals worry that if they don’t answer messages instantly, if they stop taking late-night calls, or if they direct people into one communication channel, they’re somehow being difficult.
They’re not.
They’re creating clarity.
And clarity helps everybody.
What boundaries actually look like in a pet business
Boundaries are not just about switching your phone off at the end of the day.
They can include things like:
- your working hours
- when you reply to messages
- what communication channels you use
- what clients can expect from you
- how appointments are booked
- when and how check-ins happen
- how much emotional labour you can realistically hold
- what happens when you are away or on holiday
Some of these are practical.
Some are emotional.
All of them matter.
Why so many pet pros struggle with boundaries
Holly made a really powerful point: if we’ve never learned to set boundaries in our personal life, it’s unrealistic to expect ourselves to do it confidently in business.
That hit home.
Because a lot of pet professionals are deeply caring, heart-led people. Many of us are empathetic, sensitive and used to people-pleasing. We want to help. We don’t want to let anyone down. And because we care about the animals involved, we often end up overextending ourselves in the name of being helpful.
But that’s where things can get messy.
Without boundaries, we don’t become better professionals.
We just become more overwhelmed ones.
Clear expectations prevent resentment later
One of the best reminders from this episode was this:
If we don’t set expectations, clients will fill in the blanks themselves.
That’s when you get:
- messages at 10:30pm
- WhatsApps on your day off
- people expecting instant responses
- confusion around availability
- frustration on both sides
And often, it isn’t even the client’s fault.
If we haven’t clearly explained how things work, they are just doing what feels normal to them.
That’s why Holly talked about the importance of making key policies and expectations “loud and proud” – not hidden in the depths of your Ts & Cs where nobody reads them.
Kind boundaries still count
This bit matters too.
Boundaries do not have to sound cold.
For example, instead of saying:
“Do not message me outside business hours.”
You might say:
“You’re welcome to message whenever works for you. I check messages between these hours and will get back to you within 24 hours.”
Same boundary.
Much softer delivery.
That difference can protect your relationship with the client while still protecting your time.
If you break your own boundary, name it
This was another really helpful takeaway.
Sometimes, life happens. You might reply late one evening because you happen to be free, or take a call outside your usual hours because something genuinely urgent has happened.
That doesn’t mean you’ve ruined everything.
But Holly’s advice was clear: name it as an exception.
In other words:
“I don’t normally do this, but just this once…”
That way, one exception doesn’t quietly become the new expectation.
Decision fatigue is real
One of the more interesting parts of this conversation was around decision fatigue.
When you run a business, you make so many decisions in a day that you don’t even realise how much mental energy it takes.
What am I doing first?
What needs replying to?
What’s urgent?
What can wait?
Which client gets what time?
Do I offer this or not?
Should I post this now or later?
Have I forgotten something?
Boundaries help reduce that mental load because they create structure.
And structure makes business feel calmer.
A simple emotional boundary most of us need
Holly ended with a really powerful suggestion: allowing yourself to feel your feelings instead of bottling them up.
That might sound simple, but for many business owners it’s not.
We’re used to pushing through. Getting on with it. Carrying on.
But when you never let yourself feel disappointment, anger, sadness, guilt or grief, those emotions don’t disappear. They build.
Giving yourself five minutes to actually feel what you feel, then moving your body afterwards to help regulate your nervous system, can be a surprisingly effective boundary in itself.
It says:
“This matters. And I matter too.”
A final thought
Boundaries are not selfish.
They are not rude.
They are not a sign you care less.
They are one of the clearest ways you can protect:
- your time
- your energy
- your clients’ expectations
- your long-term wellbeing
- your ability to keep doing the work you love
And if boundaries still feel hard, that doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.
It may simply mean this is a skill you were never taught and one you’re now learning, bit by bit.
That’s okay.
Want more support?
If this blog resonated and you’d like more support around building a sustainable pet business, here are some helpful places to start.
Support from Nathan:
🧡 Download the Free Pet Pro Rescue Plan
🐾 Free 5 Steps Checklist for Dog Walkers
🎙 Watch The Pet Biz Wellbeing Podcast on YouTube
💬 Join The Pet Biz Wellbeing Circle (Free Community)
Support from Dr Holly Tett:
🌐 Website (Paws Up Dogs)
📘 Facebook (Kindness Is Essential, Not Optional Dog Training Support Group)
📧 Email: info@pawsupdogs.com
🧡 Free workshop: Managing Overwhelm for Dog Pros
Use code CALM for 100% off
You do not have to figure all of this out alone.
