This Pet-Loving Family is Opening a Des Moines Dog Training Business!
Dog lovers in Des Moines have a fantastic reason to celebrate! We recently welcomed Cannady, Craig and Jack Fritzjunker into the Dog Training Elite Family as they em-bark on the journey of opening a new DTE franchise.
We recently sat down with Cannady and her 25-year-old son Jack, who will be acting as Lead Trainer, for a Q & A on their first impressions about Dog Training Elite, what led them to become Franchise Owners, their hopes for the future with DTE, and their advice to other prospective Franchise Owners.
Let’s get to know you guys better first. Tell us about your background and what your journey has been before Dog Training Elite.
Cannady: I’m a mother of four and have been married for 28 years. I was a social worker previous to this. Over the past several years, I explored many pet franchise opportunities. And a few years ago, I opened up my own dog walking business. I really enjoyed it! I had always been interested in doing something with animals, especially dogs, as I have owned many and provided foster care for the local shelter.
Jack: I studied industrial design in college, which took me to South America, where I worked as a freelance designer. While living in Bogota, Colombia, I got my TEFL certification and taught English to business professionals. Once I returned from living abroad, I was ready for a career shift. This led me to look into dog training. I was raised with dogs all my life—Always enjoyed them! So I wanted to find out if I could make a difference by working with dogs.
So, it seems like after years of experience in these other fields and 9-to-5 jobs, you were looking to make a change. But why entrepreneurship, specifically? What interested you about that?
Jack: I was in management for several years and there were many things I couldn’t implement because of financial decisions, too many differing opinions, etc. I’ve always wanted to use what I have learned over the past 25 years to develop my own work culture and structure, my own staff development. But more importantly, I wanted to make a direct impact on my community.
Cannady: I had always dreamed of owning a business and needed a change when I decided to pursue other interests after 25 years in social work.
You mentioned you had been looking for pet franchise opportunities for some time before coming across Dog Elite Training. Among so many options out there, why is DTE the right fit for you?
Cannady: Because it offers the unique combination of owning my business, working with dogs, and giving something back to the community.
Jack: I wanted a versatile business that would allow me to try different types of dog training.
After learning more about Dog Training Elite’s business model, what did you like the most about it?
Cannady: I love that we can work directly with the dog owners in their home, that we can prevent dogs with behavior issues from ending up in a shelter, and that we can provide a lower-cost service dog to people in need.
Jack: I enjoy working directly with the dog owners in their homes. The low overhead model allows us to help more people because we can put more time into the client side.
From all the other franchise opportunities in the Pet Care Industry, what do you think sets Dog Training Elite apart?
Cannady: The vetting of possible Franchise Owners is a big difference from the other franchises I explored. It was a long and thorough process that helps the franchise and the potential Franchise Owner understand if they are both a good fit. Also, the boot camp training was amazing! I have never felt so prepared when taking on a new role before. Normally I have had to figure things out for myself!
We loved having you on Dog Training Elite Approval Day! What can you tell us about your first meeting with Dog Training Elite’s Founder and the corporate team?
Cannady: I was so impressed with their knowledge, warmth, genuine passion for what they do, and professionalism.
Jack: It was an amazing opportunity to work with seasoned professionals. We were able to spend several weeks observing how they run their business while learning the ropes. They constantly impressed me with their willingness to teach.
What was the “aha!” or “lightbulb moment” that made you want to franchise with Dog Training Elite?
Cannady: When I learned that DTE franchise owners could learn to train service dogs. This was when I knew I could keep doing the part of social work I loved and also own my own business.
From all you’ve learned about Dog Training Elite and your previous experience, what do you think will help you succeed?
Cannady: DTE corporate gave us a great foundation for success, but we will need to work hard, find good employees, and show our enthusiasm and passion for the work.
You’re both experienced pet owners. How important are pets in your life?
Cannady: My dogs are a huge part of my day! My three dogs help me stay in my routine. They make me laugh, provide a lot of joy, and help ease my stress. This is a huge part of why I was interested in this franchise, as it allows me to take my dogs to work with me.
What advice would you give to a potential Franchise Owner?
Cannady: Be patient, take your time through the process, and definitely do Approval Day if you are interested!
To wrap things up, what do you look forward to about owning a Dog Training Elite franchise?
Cannady: I look forward to many things! Taking my dogs to work, being able to provide a service in our community for people who need service dogs, helping people keep their dogs and enjoy them more. I’m also excited about continuing to learn and be challenged every day!
It’s so inspiring to see Cannady and Jack’s passion, enthusiasm, and dedication to giving back to the community! We’re looking forward to seeing their success as they grow their Dog Training Elite franchise in Des Moines. Also, we can’t wait to see them around at the Malinois Foundation, our non-profit organization dedicated to training service dogs for people in need.
The Fritzjunkers found the opportunity of a lifetime to combine their love for animals, their desire to start their own dog training business, and their spirit of service to the community. Does that resonate with you? Let this year be the start of a new and exciting chapter in your life and work.
Dog Training Elite is currently franchising across the U.S. We’re partnering with like-minded dog lovers who want to make a positive impact in their communities, and we want you to be next!
Dog Training Elite has been helping dogs and humans for over 40 years. Its proven, balance-positive methods have helped thousands of dogs and owners in the comfort of their homes. With an initial investment as low as $159,050 for a single territory, average revenue of $973,756* per year for our Franchise Owners, and plenty of income diversification options that remained strong even during the pandemic, Dog Training Elite is a dog training business opportunity you don’t want to miss. For more information, please visit our website.
*Numbers obtained from our 2023 FDD
Be a social animal! Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Instagram. Connect with us via LinkedIn. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.