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Best dog walkers and pet sitters in Columbus Ohio

Maximizing Your Earnings

What’s covered in this article! 👉

At Hands N Paws, we believe in rewarding your hard work, flexibility, and dedication. Beyond your base commission, we offer multiple, straightforward ways to significantly increase your income. This guide details all the opportunities available to you.

Visit Earning Boosts

Earning boosts are automatic bonuses applied to services that require extra effort or flexibility. They are our way of saying thank you for going the extra mile.

What Boosts Are Available & How Much Are They?

  • Multi-Pet Households:
    • +$3.50 per pet for households with more than two pets.
    • Why? This accounts for the additional time and care required.
  • Last-Minute Bookings:
    • +$10 per service for requests made with less than 24 hours’ notice.
    • Why? This rewards your flexibility in accommodating urgent client needs.
  • Federal Holidays:
    • +$15 per service on designated holidays.
    • Holidays include: New Year’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve.
    • Why? We appreciate your availability on these high-demand days.
  • Late Cancellations:
    • Full pay for the service if a client cancels with less than 24 hours’ notice.
    • Why? Your time is valuable, and we honor your commitment.
  • Client Tips:
    • Clients often reward exceptional service with tips, typically ranging from $3 to $15 or more.
    • Why? This is a direct reward from clients for your outstanding care and wonderful journal reports.

How Do Earning Boosts Work?

  • They Are Automatic: When you accept and complete a qualifying service, the boost is automatically calculated and added to your total earnings. No extra steps are required from you!
  • How to Identify Them:
    • On your My Schedule page, look for services that indicate multiple pets, are on a holiday, or were recently added (suggesting a last-minute booking).
    • For a precise view, run an Estimated Earnings Report (Resources > Reports in Precise Petcare). This report will show a detailed breakdown of all boosts applied to your scheduled visits.
  • When You Get Paid: Boost earnings are included in your regular bi-weekly direct deposit. You can see the detailed breakdown in Resources > Payroll on payday.

Remember: Taking on boosted services is entirely optional. You choose what fits your schedule and preferences!

The Monthly Contest

Ready for some friendly competition and fantastic rewards? Our monthly contest is designed to be fun, engaging, and highly rewarding for your hard work.

How the Contest Works

  • Earn Points: Each month, we post weekly challenge menus in the #monthly-contest Slack channel. Challenges range from creative tasks (like writing a journal from the pet’s perspective) to performance-based goals (like earning 5-star ratings).
  • Track Your Progress: Your team leader tallies points and updates the leaderboard in Slack #monthly-contest so you can always see where you stand.
  • Win Prizes: The top three team members with the most points at the end of the month win awesome prizes that apply to the entire following month.

Contest Rewards

PlaceRewards (for the following month)
1st70% Commission (instead of 50%)
2nd5% Commission Raise + 250 Points to kickstart the next month’s contest
3rd500 Points to kickstart the next month’s contest

Contest FAQs

Is participation in the contest mandatory?
No! The contest is completely optional but is a fun way to boost your earnings and team spirit.
Can I win the contest multiple months in a row?
Absolutely! The contest resets every month, so you have a new chance to win each time.
How will I know my points were counted?
Your team leader will mark completed challenges with a green checkmark (✅) reaction in Slack. Leaderboard updates confirm points have been tallied. This occurs every Monday prior to a new weekly challenge menu being posted.
Where do I find new challenges?
All challenges are posted in the #monthly-contest Slack channel.
How often are challenges posted?
Challenges are released as Challenge Menus every Monday and stay open throughout the week. Each menu typically includes three challenges to complete.

3. Emergency Coverage Program

Get paid for your availability! This program allows you to earn a guaranteed monthly stipend simply for signing up to be on emergency standby for visits during designated time blocks.

The Best Part: You are paid a monthly stipend based on the number of blocks you sign up for, even if you are never called to cover a visit!

This is a fantastic way to build a reliable, predictable income stream on top of your visit commissions.

👉 Click here to read the full Emergency Coverage Program article and learn how to sign up.

New client openings start January 2026!

Sign Up Now
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By signing this agreement, you confirm that you’ve read, understood, and agreed to the policies below. Your signature also allows us to add your email to our mailing list (you can change your preferences anytime).

Key Terms
– Client = You
– Company = Hands N Paws
– Team Member(s) = Our pet care professionals

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Emergency Care Policy
You’re responsible for providing emergency instructions and medical details for your pet. Otherwise, we’ll contact your vet or an emergency clinic in case of an emergency. Team Members may make urgent care decisions (excluding euthanasia) if immediate action is needed. You’re responsible for any veterinary costs, and Hands N Paws isn’t liable for circumstances beyond our control.

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Home Access Policy
A lockbox with a spare key is required to ensure we can access your home. Garage or keypad codes are okay but don’t replace the need for a lockbox. Provide clear access instructions in your account notes. If entry is complicated, email us a video walkthrough to avoid delays. Our priority is your pets, not troubleshooting access!

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Cancellation Policy
We get it—plans change! Here’s our policy:
– 48+ hours notice: 100% refund as Account Credit.
– 24-48 hours notice: 50% refund as Account Credit.
– Less than 24 hours: No refund.
Refunds are issued as Account Credits and auto-apply to your next invoice.

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Safe & Sanitary Environment
You understand and agree that the environment in which we provide services is reasonably sanitary and safe. If we determine that your home is unsanitary or unsafe, we’ll let you know and take appropriate action, which may include stopping services.

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Service Termination Policy
In rare cases, if we believe there’s a serious danger to the health or safety of our Team Members or your pets, we may terminate services during a scheduled period. If this happens, you agree to cover the cost of boarding your pet or arranging alternative care until you return. We’ll do our best to notify you and/or your emergency contacts in these situations.

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Third-Party Access Policy
You’re responsible for letting us know if anyone else will have access to your home during the scheduled services. Hands N Paws is not liable for any loss, expense, or damage caused by third parties entering your home during this time.

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Vaccination, Licensing & ID Policy
Before services begin, all pets MUST:
– Be up-to-date on vaccinations and local licensing.
– Wear an ID tag with your contact info or be microchipped for identification.

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Pet Safety Policy
For everyone’s safety, dogs must remain leashed during walks. Off-leash walks are strictly prohibited.

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Accurate Pet Information Policy
Keep your pet’s info in your account accurate and up-to-date. Every three months, you’ll be prompted to review and confirm your pet’s details before being able to request services. Hands N Paws isn’t responsible for issues caused by outdated or incorrect information.

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Provide Visuals Policy
For complex routines or home entry instructions, please record a video and email it to us. A visual guide helps us better understand your needs and ensures smooth service delivery.

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Flexible Arrival Times
Services are scheduled within a two-hour arrival window to accommodate travel and other clients. While we’ll do our best to meet your preferred times, exact arrival times can’t be guaranteed.

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Trial Visits
For extended pet care (e.g., vacation services), we require a Trial Visit while you’re still in town. This helps ensure your pet is comfortable with our team before committing to long-term care.

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Service Request Approval & Availability
We do our best to accommodate all requests, but approval depends on Team Member availability. After submitting a request, you’ll receive an email confirmation or declination within 48 hours. If declined, we’ll work with you to explore alternatives.

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Communication Policy
Team Members will update you on your pet’s care through post-service journal entries in your account. If they have urgent questions during a service, they’ll call you using the number on file. If you receive a Team Member’s personal number, please don’t use it freely. Keep all communication in your account by responding to journals, updating service notes, or, if needed, contact our main office.

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Team Appreciation
Our Team Members work hard to care for your pets, and a little appreciation goes a long way! Feel free to leave kind journal comments, rate services, or tip for exceptional care. It means the world to us!

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Meet N Greets
A Meet N Greet is required before starting services to ensure we understand your pet’s needs and provide the best care. New Clients can schedule at *www.myhandsnpaws.com*; Existing Clients can book through their account.

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Pricing & Surcharges
Visit *www.myhandsnpaws.com* for the most up-to-date pricing. Additional fees may apply in certain situations:
– Last-Minute Services: $15 for requests made within 24 hours.
– Holiday Services: $20 per service on major holidays.
– Additional Pets: $7 per pet beyond the first two.
– Service Adjustments: Fees may apply if additional time or tasks are required.
– Account Assistance Fee: If you request us to schedule services, cancel services, update pet notes, or otherwise manage your account without first attempting to do so yourself, a surcharge of 10% of your most recent invoice (minimum $25) will be applied. Our handy Client Support Center is available to guide you step-by-step in managing your account.

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Payment & Billing
We accept all major credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover). A valid card must be stored securely in your account.
– Ongoing Services: Auto-charged every Friday for the previous week’s services.
– One-Time Services: 50% deposit charged upon confirmation; the rest is due by the last service date (auto-charged).
– Declined Payments: You’ll be notified immediately and have 24 hours to resolve it. A 10% late fee (minimum $20) applies after a second declined attempt.

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Contract Terms
This agreement starts when you sign it and continues until either of us ends it. You can book additional services online anytime, depending on availability. By signing, you authorize Hands N Paws to enter your home and care for your pets without needing extra contracts for confirmed bookings.

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Thanks for trusting Hands N Paws with your furry family! 🐾