New York man quit $40,000 teaching job to make over $120K as a DOG WALKER

A New York City man quit his $40,000 per-year job as a teacher to walk dogs full time, and now pulls in $120,000 and bought a house with his earnings.

Michael Josephs previously taught at a special-needs school in the Financial District of Manhattan, and in 2019 started walking dogs on the side to supplement his income.

The 32-year-old quickly racked up a pile of clients - fueled by the surge in pandemic adoptions - and realized he could make enough to do the job full time, so he quit his teaching position and started Parkside Pups. 

Since then, Josephs has been able to use his earnings to buy a house in New Jersey and begin building a college fund for his infant. He told The New York Post the job was 'a blessing.'

Michael Josephs and a satisfied customer. He began walking dogs professionally in 2019

Josephs has dozens of regular customers that he and his employees walk for

While earning $38,000 as a teacher, Josephs would walk and train his Labrador Mix, Willy, in Prospect Park after work.

Passersby noticed how obedient Willy was, and began to ask Josephs if he would be interested in walking their dogs. 

While charging $20 for 30-minute walks, he quickly grew a regular client list, and in July of 2019 decided to walk fulltime and started Parkside Pups.

By the end of the year he'd earned $35,000 - nearly as much as he'd earned teaching in a year in half as much time.

Josephs with his Labrador mix Willy. While living in Brooklyn he regularly trained the dog in Prospect Park

Josephs walking dogs. The business allowed him to buy a house in New Jersey

Josephs told The Post business waned when the pandemic closed down NYC, but that it returned immediately after New Yorkers came home.

Though he lost his health insurance when he started his own business, he is taken care of under his wife's non-profit job.

'I'm amazed by the lifestyle I can have as a business owner,' Josephs said.

He has since hired five full-time employees, works with five freelance walkers, and walks dogs from Brooklyn to Lower Manhattan, and is soon expanding into New Jersey.

Joseph and a dog. He began walking dogs in Prospect Park, but now covers Brooklyn and Manhattan

Josephs and a dog. He is hoping to expand his business to New Jersey in the near future

He said one perk of the job was wealthy clients regularly offering him their vacation homes upstate or on Long Island for use.

'People are really hospitable,' he said.

Josephs said that though he misses his students, the freedom of his job and the time it gives him to spend with dogs is worth it. 

 'I love this business - it's always been about the pups for me!' Josephs said. 

'They give you excitement and loyalty. There's not many downsides to that.'