Is There A Dog Business For Sale Near Me?
They say if you find something you love doing, you’ll never work again in your life. They’re right, but for most of us, it takes some time before we get there.
Maybe you’ve been trapped in the corporate world for years, and you feel like it’s time to escape. Or maybe you’ve retired, but you find that you miss the hustle and bustle. If you’re a dog lover, you might already have started looking for dog businesses and dog business ideas in your area.
But what are your options, and how do you know if you’re onto a good thing, or barking up the wrong tree? Let’s take a look at some of the more popular dog related businesses you could start.
Dog Walking
As far as low investment dog businesses go, you can’t really do better than dog walking. Aside from a pet first aid course, some leashes, and a good pair of walking shoes, you don’t need much to get started.
There are various dog walking platforms where you can find customers too, but it’s not common for people to sell their dog walking businesses. So, you will probably have to start a new business from scratch – and that can be hard!
Dog Grooming
You might find a dog grooming business for sale near you, and it’s a great business for dog lovers to get involved in. However, in most cases, before you can work as a dog groomer you will need to complete a training course and some sort of in-service training.
Dog grooming businesses can also cost a lot, because there’s a lot of equipment, cages, products and more that you need to invest in. You also need to have a suitable premise, which could be costly.
Still, if you love working hands on with our four-legged besties, this might leave you bright eyed and bushy tailed!
Dog Retail
Dog owners spend a lot on their pups every year. In fact, in the US alone, dog owners spend between $800 and $2,300 a year on their pups!
There are lots of options in dog retail. You could buy an existing pet store or start a barkery making and selling dog cookies and treats. Or you might decide to make your own dog products, and there are many options. You could make designer dog beds, custom leashes and harnesses or dog toys. The options are almost endless, and only limited by your imagination and your budget!
There is a lot of competition in the dog retail space though, so you might need to do a lot of marketing to get yourself established, and it could take time.
Dog Sitting
Dog sitting or even boarding kennels are another type of dog business that might be for sale in your area.
When people go on a vacation or business trip and they can’t take their dog along, they’ll always need someone to take care of them. Sometimes, you can do this in the owner’s home, and other times, they will prefer to leave them in your facility. You’ll have to decide how you plan to offer this service, and market it accordingly.
Dog Food
Dog food is another great dog business that might be for sale in your area. There’s a lot of competition in this area too, but dog owners are always looking for new options.
You might offer a commercial dog food delivery service and buy big name brands to sell to your customers, or you might create your own fresh or dry food. Be aware, however, that there are some stringent regulations for dog food production, and you will probably need to have a veterinary dietician on staff to formulate the right products.
Dog Training
Last, but certainly not least on our list, is dog training. Everyone loves their dogs, but not everyone knows how to train them properly.
Whether it’s basic obedience training or correcting problem behaviors, great dog trainers are always in demand. There is a bit of a learning curve, but once you know how to train dogs, it’s a very rewarding business, where you can help a lot of families to live better with their pups.
Startup, Existing Business or Franchise?
Once you’ve decided what type of dog business you want to be involved in, you still have to figure out how to get it off the ground.
One option is to start it all off yourself. But this can take a long time and require significant investment. If you don’t have the capital to keep your business going while you’re building your clientele, you might find that you run out of runway.
Buying an existing dog business is another option, but they don’t come on the market very often. If you want to start your business soon, you might not have the time to wait for one to come on the market. Even if you do find something suitable, existing businesses can be tricky to assess. Sometimes, owners are selling them because they want to retire or for personal reasons, but sometimes, they’re in financial trouble. It can be hard to figure out which one!
Finally, there’s the franchise option. When you buy a franchise, you are buying into a well-known brand that already has marketing and processes figured out. You get support throughout the process of getting set up, marketing, and running your business too, so it’s the best of both worlds. You get to be your own boss, but you’re not entirely on your own!
If you’re interested in becoming a Franchise Owner, why not consider joining the Dog Training Elite family? With over 40 years of experience and Franchise Owners making hundreds of thousands of dollars every year, it’s a great option for dog lovers who want to hit the ground running!
Dog Training Elite is a great, dog-friendly business that has low startup costs, and where you get support every step of the way. So, if you’re sniffing around for the paw-fect opportunity, please visit our website and find out more!