5 Unusual & Interesting Dog Businesses

We spend too much of our lives working jobs we don’t enjoy. Working with dogs is the ultimate joy in life.  We’ve all heard of dog walking and dog grooming as businesses. But there are so many more opportunities to make money with dogs as the center of our lives and businesses. The pet industry is poised to swell from $320 billion today to almost $500 billion by 2030, according to a new report from Bloomberg Intelligence (BI). Keep reading for some dog businesses you may not have thought of.

5 Interesting Dog Business Ideas:

1. Pet Grief Counselor:

The loss of a pet hits hard. You’ve lost your daily shadow and your unconditional love. There is a real need to navigate this type of loss.

How to Become a Pet Grief Counselor:

There is no direct path to becoming a pet grief counselor. Licensing and certification requirements vary by state. Check with your state to determine the path you should take. You may obtain a pet loss grief certification online through the American Institute of Healthcare Professionals (AIHCP).

According to their website, registrants must meet at least one of the following to obtain certification from AIHCP:

• Is a registered nurse

• Physician

• Veterinarian

• Social worker

• Licensed counselor

• Psychologist

• Is in current practice as a licensed minister or any legal clerical representative of a religion.

• Licensed funeral director who provides pet burial services.

• A college degree in human services, psychology, or human behavior with career experience in these areas.

• Currently certified in grief counseling by the American Academy of Grief Counseling.

• Note: veterinary assistants who have attained an undergraduate degree, and who work under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian, may qualify. Other credentials may apply if approved by the American Academy of Grief Counseling.

  
  

Pros:

• Helping others

• There is a real need for more mental health providers

• Can branch out and offer workbooks and worksheets

• Flexible hours

  
  

Cons:

• Can be stressful dealing with grief

• Higher burnout rate than most other careers

• This is typically a self-employed role where you market yourself (you do not see many job openings for a pet grief counselor)

  
  

2. Pet Memorial Gifts:

Do you have a favorite way to remember your pet that you would like to share with others? There are so many directions to go in with pet memorials. There are necklaces that hold ashes or fur.  Custom-made urns or blankets are popular as well as stepping stones or statues.

How to start a memorial gift business:

The first step is to decide what you will be selling. Will you specialize in one product or offer multiple? Etsy is a popular place to sell your memorials. Building a website or selling on Instagram are also options.

Pros:

• Can start as a side hustle

• Creativity outlet

• Providing a beautiful gift that offers closure to those in need

• Set your own hours and prices

Cons:

• Inventory typically needed (need money and space to store)

• Marketing (consider contacting Veterinarians and partnering with them)

  
  

3. Dog swim classes:

Pools that offer dog swim classes. Swim classes offer a solution for safety concerns and then there are some dogs who just love water. Offer the pools to be rented out so your water-loving dog can have their playtime.

How to start offering dog swim classes:

The first step is to find a facility with a pool. Whether you select an outdoor or an indoor pool will most likely come down to climate.  Since this will be like finding a needle in a haystack you may need to build your own pool. Check with your town for zoning issues and licensing.

Pros:

• Easy to find help in a fun atmosphere

• Swimming with dogs sounds kind of great

• Dog activity businesses are becoming more popular

• Can expand into water therapy for dogs with pain or injuries

Cons:

• This is also an expensive business to start

• Pools are expensive to build and maintain.

• Liability insurance will be a necessity

4. Pet psychic readings or pet communicator:

Pet psychics and communicators claim to communicate with animals. This could be living or dead.

How to become a pet psychic:

Work with a mentor. There are many classes you can take, including online through Udemy. Intuition will be an important part of this career path. Pet psychics are popular on Etsy. You can set up an Etsy account and start taking clients. You can also set up your own website or Instagram account. Market to do parties or events.

Pros:

• May be lucrative-I did see a few charge $150 for 30 minutes

• A fun way to interact with people and animals

• Not much needed to start

Cons:

• Getting over the stigma of people being skeptical of pet psychics and animal communicators

• Reviews from clients are extremely important

5. Making music for dogs.

Do you love to sing? Or maybe the question should be are you good at singing? Do you play an instrument? You may want to create music specifically for dogs.

How to start making music for dogs:  

Softer sounds such as classical music, soft rock, or reggae have been found to calm anxious dogs. The most popular option to get your music out there is through YouTube. Once you have enough subscribers or views you can earn money through ads. Creating a CD is also a path to take. There is software to create your music such as Garage Band, Reaper, or Audacity. Your canine companion can be the star of your research group. If making a CD ask if you can sell it through your vet or local pet shops. Play at dog events. Get paid or even donate your time to charitable events.  Great way to get your name out there and give back.

Pros:

• Creative outlet

• Start as a side hustle in your free time

• Fun

• You could teach others how to jam with their dogs

Cons:

• May take time to build up an audience

• You may end up with a lot of four-legged groupies

There is never a perfect time to start a business. Don’t wait until you are ready because there is no such thing as perfect timing. Let’s make our goal in life to find jobs and businesses that bring us joy!