The Pet Sitter's Survival Guide

True Stories, Hard Lessons, and Practical Advice from Building a Six-Figure Pet Care Business

Every successful pet care business has stories nobody talks about. From nightmare clients and employee drama to dog bites, legal scares, burnout, and the moments that almost made me quit—this book shares the real stories behind building Bad to the Bone Pet Care and the lessons every pet sitter can learn without making the same mistakes.

Who This Book Is For

This book is for you if…

You're thinking about becoming a pet sitter.
You've started your business but feel like you're figuring everything out the hard way.
You're overwhelmed and wondering if everyone struggles this much.
You're preparing to hire your first employee.
You already have a team and still run into problems you never expected.
You enjoy honest business stories—not just motivational success stories.

The Story Behind the Book

Most business books tell you what worked.

Very few tell you what almost destroyed the business.

Over the past decade I’ve made hundreds of mistakes building Bad to the Bone Pet Care.

Some were funny.
Some were expensive.
Some kept me awake at night.
Some completely changed how I run my business forever.

After years of sharing these stories on my podcast, at conferences, and inside coaching programs, I realized something…

The stories were often more valuable than the advice.

Because once you understand why something happened, you can recognize it before it happens to you.

That’s why I wrote this book.

What You'll Learn

Instead of generic business advice, every chapter ends with practical lessons you can immediately apply.

You’ll learn about things like:

Finding your first clients
Raising your prices
Setting boundaries
Difficult client conversations
Employee hiring mistakes
Employee retention
Dog fights and emergencies
Insurance and liability

Burnout
Growth mistakes
Systems that save your sanity
Leadership
Letting go of control
Scaling your business
The mindset required to survive long-term

Inside the Book

Each chapter follows the same format:

The Story

What actually happened.

The Mistake

Where things went wrong.

The Lesson

What I learned.

Action Steps

Exactly how you can avoid making the same mistake.

Why This Book Is Different

Most pet business books tell you what to do.

This one shows you what actually happened.

Nothing is sugar-coated.

You’ll read about…

Losing employees
Difficult clients
Embarrassing mistakes
Financial struggles
Bad decisions
Unexpected wins
The small choices that completely changed the business

If you’ve ever thought,

“I hope I’m not the only one dealing with this…”

You’re not.

ABOUT DOUG

Hi, I’m Doug.

I started Bad to the Bone Pet Care with nothing more than a love for animals and the willingness to knock on doors, walk dogs, and figure things out as I went.

Today I’ve served thousands of pets, built a multi-employee business, interviewed some of the biggest names in the pet care industry, and now help pet business owners hire, lead, and grow sustainable companies.

This book is everything I wish someone had handed me on Day One.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this only for pet sitters?

No. Dog walkers, pet care business owners, and anyone considering starting a pet business will benefit.

Is it full of business theory?

No. It’s almost entirely stories with practical lessons.

Is this for beginners?

Yes—but experienced owners will probably recognize many of the situations and appreciate the lessons even more.

Is it funny?

Sometimes.

Some stories are hilarious.

Others are difficult.

All of them are true (with names and identifying details changed).

When will it be released?

Coming Soon.

Join the waitlist to be the first to know.

ReviewS

"Doug Keeling is one of the most generous business owners in the dog walking and pet sitting world.

Over the years he has been a great resource, a good friend and a client of mine, and I genuinely don't know anyone who has a bad word to say about him. I've watched Doug grow into one of the most respected business owners in our industry, and I couldn't be prouder of everything he's achieved.

The Pet Sitter's Survival Guide is funny, honest, insightful and refreshingly real. Doug gives you a peek behind the scenes of what it really takes to build a phenomenally successful pet care business. He doesn't pretend it's easy, and he certainly doesn't sugar-coat the tough times either. Instead, he shares the wins, the mistakes, the lessons and the mindset that helped him build the business he has today.

But here's the biggest lesson.

Most business owners think their stories aren't interesting.

They're wrong.

Stories that connect are one of the most valuable assets you'll ever create in your business. They build trust. They demonstrate your values. They help people see themselves in your journey. And perhaps most importantly, they help you attract premium clients.

Affluent pet owners don't choose the cheapest business. They choose the business they feel most connected to. Stories are what create that connection. They separate you from the sea of businesses all saying the same things and give people a reason to choose you before you've ever met.

And in a world where AI can write emails, adverts and social media posts in seconds, your lived experiences become your greatest competitive advantage. Nobody- not even AI - can tell your story better than you.

Doug's company might be called Bad to the Bone Pet Care, but this book is good to the core.

Read it, enjoy it, learn from it... and then start telling more of your own stories. Because the more of yourself you put into your marketing, the less you'll ever have to compete on price."

"In true Hitchhiker's Guide fashion, Doug has managed to create something that is equal parts memoir, roadmap, cautionary tale, and survival manual. The result is a book that reminds us all that success in pet sitting isn't about avoiding every mistake—it's about learning from them, adapting, and helping the next traveler find a smoother path through this life we are are living. Like any good guidebook, the they doesn't stop on the printed page. The QR codes sprinkled throughout unlock additional content, resources, and deeper dives that make the experience feel interactive and current.

Whether you're just getting your leash on the business or you've been walking this path for years, The Pet Sitter's Survival Guide offers wisdom, encouragement, and a reminder that none of us build successful businesses alone."

Stop Learning Everything the Hard Way

You don’t have to make every mistake yourself.

Learn from mine.