Tips For Starting A Dog Training Business

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Learn about the requirements for starting your own dog training business!

What’s The Draw For Starting A Dog Training Business?

Whether you can’t get enough quality time with dogs, want to make a difference for the people and pets in your community, or are simply interested in exploring a flexible and lucrative business space, starting a dog training business may be a great path for you! Here’s what to expect as you begin your new journey.

Growing Industry

The so-called “puppy boom” of the last few years has meant now is the perfect time for you to consider starting a dog training business! Pet owners want the best for their pets, and the entire pet-care industry has seen increased demand in recent years.

From pet boarding and day-camp services to groomers, specialty clothing and treat boutiques to training services and everything in between, the pet care industry has seen unprecedented growth. In 2021 alone, more than 12.6 million households nation-wide adopted pets, with the vast majority of those pets being dogs. That means that more than 70% of households in the United States include a pet!

Many of these pets have been adopted by first-time owners, who are more likely to spend money in pet care as they learn about how to provide the best life possible for their new family member. The pet care industry is now worth more than $103 billion annually, and market trends indicate that the industry will continue to grow.

Dog Training Elite provides the best franchise opportunity for starting a dog training business.
Dog Training Elite is the best dog training business to open in the pet industry.

Strong Return On Investment

Starting a dog training business with Dog Training Elite requires a relatively low initial investment, partially because our services are home-based. No need to find and acquire a physical space for your new dog training opportunity! Plus, average gross revenues in 2020 were close to $973,756*.

*Numbers obtained from our 2023 FDD

Flexibility

Because of our semi-absentee franchise model option, Dog Training Elite Franchise Owners enjoy flexibility in their schedules while running their business. Choosing this model means you get to create your schedule and can decide to keep another job, spend more time on projects that matter to you, or take more time for yourself and your family. The options are endless. You can even choose to open a second territory with Dog Training Elite — 80% of our Franchise Owners do!

Opening a dog training business with Dog Training Elite Franchise provides the opportunity for flexibility.
Dog Training Elite's Franchisees experience the fulfillment of helping their comminities when starting a dog training business.

Help Your Community

Quality dog training programs make communities better. They strengthen bonds between dogs and their families, and allow dogs to interact with their surroundings in positive ways. Plus, Dog Training Elite gives back to pets and veterans through our specialized nonprofit organization, the Malinois Foundation.

What Does It Take To Start A Great Dog Training Business?

Once you’ve decided this is the right path for you, it’s time to get started! In order to open your business smoothly, be sure to take care of the following steps first.

  • Planning

    First, map out what you want your business to look like. What specific services would you like to offer? Do you want to train puppies only? Service dogs? Reactive or anxious dogs? Decide on the core offer of your business and formulate a rough idea of your business model before taking any other steps. Clarity here will help you make other decisions further down the line.

  • Licensing

    Look into local and state guidelines in order to determine which licenses and permits will be required in order for you to start your business. In some areas, you may need to check with the clerk’s office of your town, city or county to find out which local licenses or regulations will apply to starting a dog training company. Starting with the crucial licensing step will set you up for a smooth start!

  • Registering

    In order to operate as a small business, you will need to obtain an EIN and register for all applicable state and federal taxes. You’ll need to gain clarity about the type of business structure that will best meet your needs, and apply for your EIN under that structure. Fortunately, the IRS website allows you to obtain an EIN for free.

  • Insurance

    Before you start your first training sessions, acquire business insurance. Working with pets means that unexpected situations can occur that are out of your control. In order to protect yourself, your business, your clients and the pets you work with, get liability insurance from a company that specializes in pet business insurance. That way, you can rest easy knowing you’re covered, and your clients’ trust in you will grow stronger.

  • Marketing And Promotion

    Once you’ve made a solid plan for your business and filled out all the necessary paperwork for licensing, registration, and insurance, it’s time to start thinking about how you’ll get the word out about your new dog business! All the planning in the world is meaningless if you don’t have a strategy for drawing customers in.

    Think through both online and in-person opportunities for spreading the word about your business. Online, you’ll need to set up a website and establish your business pages on sites like Google My Business and Yelp. This way, you’ll be able to start collecting great reviews as soon as you serve your first happy customers! Many people also see success through social media pages and ads.

    You can also get involved with the pet lovers in your community in person by attending or organizing events, reaching out to your local veterinary businesses and other pet-related service providers, and even volunteering.

Are Dog Trainers in Demand?

Are Dog Trainers in Demand?

Absolutely! In fact, dog training services around the country report booming demand for training services, especially from those that are able to train at home. After all, dogs spend the vast majority of their time within their own homes, and training them at home provides both dogs and their owners a chance to practice skills that are immediately relevant to their specific needs and environments.

There are many benefits to becoming a dog trainer. There are no degrees required, which means the barrier to entry in the field is minimal. Most trainers learn on the job. As a result, owners of a dog training business can draw from a wide field of applicants, so long as they are willing and able to learn the necessary skills to help owners learn how to handle their pets.

Dog trainers enjoy a good deal of variety in their work, which makes the job itself an exciting, ever-evolving one. No day will ever be the same as the one before it! Different locations, different breeds of dogs, and different owners will each come with their own sets of skills and challenges, making dog training a great job for anyone who loves to come up with creative solutions to problems. Additionally, dog training often allows for highly flexible schedules, with trainers and businesses able to arrange for sessions based on demand and their own needs.

As a dog training franchise, Dog Training Elite is particularly well equipped to provide owners and employers with maximum flexibility as they work to fulfill the demands of their community to provide quality training for these beloved members of our families!

Dog Training Elite is known for their affordable dog training business opportunities.

Start Strong

Between the legal requirements, financial considerations and marketing questions, the process of starting a dog training business can seem overwhelming at first. Fortunately, when you become a Franchise Owner with Dog Training Elite, you don’t have to start from scratch. You’ll be drawing from 40 years of experience so that business plans, marketing strategies and initial concepts are all set for you to draw from. Enjoy specialized training, ongoing support and countless resources to help you start strong.

You don’t have to do it alone! Inquire to learn more about starting your own dog business today.

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