How do I introduce my walkers' routes to a new owner?

Each route holds a lot of quiet knowledge: which dog pulls, which gate sticks, which client wants a text after every visit. Write that knowledge down before the sale, route by route. Include pickup times, access instructions, the dog’s habits and any fears, and the client’s preferences for updates.

Then schedule real walks. Take the new owner along on a few routes as an observer, then switch roles so the new owner leads while you watch. Start with the busiest routes and the walkers who carry the most clients. If a walker is unsure about the change, a conversation early on matters more than a document. Ask each walker which clients they would be most worried about losing.

Tell clients before they hear it elsewhere. A short message from you, followed by a friendly meeting with the new owner, usually settles nerves. Be honest about what is changing and what is not. Agree in the sale terms how long you will stay available for questions, and give walkers a name to call when something unexpected happens on a route. Your lawyer can help you write that support period into the agreement, and your accountant can tell you how it affects the transaction.

Key takeaways

• Write down every route, dog and access instruction before the sale is announced.
• Walk each route with the new owner, first watching and then leading.
• Tell clients yourself and introduce the new owner in person.