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How to start a dog training business
Combine your love of pups and business to set up your own dog training venture.
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If you love dogs and have a knack for getting them to listen to you, you may be able to make an income doing what you enjoy. To start a successful business in the dog training field, it's a good idea to plan properly and make decisions about your qualifications, business structure and marketing.
In this guide, we'll discuss some of the most important things to consider when starting your dog training business.
What is a dog training business?
A dog training business helps dog owners by training their canines for them. Training can take place either at a commercial premises, in a park or at the client's home.
Learn key dog training skills
In addition to having a genuine love for dogs and a lot of patience, you'll need a few skills and items before starting a dog training business:
- Effective dog training strategies
- Experience dealing with dogs (such as dog walking, sitting or grooming)
- Knowledge about basic dog care
- Interpersonal skills
- A physical space you can use to train dogs
- Minor equipment like dog treats, dog treat pouches, leads, harnesses, halters and toys
Get qualified
You need to pursue a dog training certificate before you start your business. Two of the most common accredited courses to become a dog trainer in Australia are:
- Certificate III in Dog Behaviour and Training. This introduces students to training dogs for tracking, assistance and obedience, in addition to providing basic care to dogs.
- Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services. This certificate teaches students how to monitor animal health and maintain workplace health and safety, and includes electives for animal training and small business management.
Additional courses might be needed if you wish to work in specific fields (like police force dog training).
Dog Training Certificate
A dog care and dog training certificate from training.com.au could help start your dog training career.
Plan your business
Having a plan before you start your new business can save you many headaches in the future. A business plan is a document that outlines the business's objectives and goals. Include the following aspects into your business plan:
- Market research. Who will be your potential clients? How big is the market? Are there competitors already offering dog training in your area? Is there a gap in the market?
- Financial projections. What are the ongoing expenses of a dog training business? How will your business make money? Are there opportunities for increasing the profitability of your dog training business?
- Set out your projected vision. How will your dog training business look in 1, 5 and 10 years?
Choose a business structure
When structuring your business, you must evaluate your best options depending on your circumstances. In Australia, there are three common types of structures, these include:
- Sole Trader. If you plan to start a one-person business, then you might consider registering as a Sole Trader. You will still be able to hire staff, but you will be the only person responsible for your business.
- Partnership. A Partnership is a business owned by two or more individuals where the owners split income and losses. Partnerships generally require a Partnership Agreement to be written up and signed by all partners to clearly set out roles and responsibilities.
- Company. A Company is a separate legal entity and has different rules regarding how tax is paid on profits.
After choosing a business structure, you'll need to register for an Australian Business Number (ABN). If you decide to start a Company, then you will also need a business name. Use the Australian Securities and Investments Commission's business names register search tool to see if your preferred name is available.
Prepare your legal documents
Here are some of the legal documents you may need for a dog training business:
- Training Service Agreement. A document that outlines the responsibilities and duties of both the dog trainer and the client.
- Employment Agreement. If you wish to hire additional staff then you'll need this agreement.
- Cancellation Policy. Protect your business from last-minute cancellations.
You can create legal documents yourself with the help of templates. Find more free legal templates on our website. Alternatively, get an online legal professional to help draft or revise custom documents for your business.
Get access to legal services and documents online
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Figure out your pricing
The cost of dog training depends on your expertise and your target market, as well as the number of dogs in your training classes. Group classes cost from $50 to $125 and run for a few weeks.
If you offer private lessons or bespoke training, then prices usually range from $30 to $100 per hour, with classes running over several weeks.
Getting certifications will give you more expertise and this will allow you to charge more for your services.
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Once your business is set up and you've secured all the legal documents, you'll be ready to attract your first clients. There are various ways to market your business. Consider some of the following:
- Start a website. Having an online presence is essential to market your business and find new clients.
- Search engine optimisation (SEO). Make your website more visible when potential clients search for dog training businesses near them.
- Oneflare or Airtasker. Create a profile and post dog training jobs on marketplaces and platforms like Airtasker or Oneflare.
- Social media. Create a business profile on relevant social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook.
- Advertising. Invest in advertising your services on popular search engines like Google or Bing. Alternatively, run advertising on social media platforms to find new clients.
- Business cards and flyers. You might also create physical promotional materials such as business cards and flyers. You can drop these flyers into local mailboxes.
Frequently asked questions
What services does a dog training business offer?
Dog trainers offer many types of services, although they may specialise in only one. You might want to provide the following to reach out to more customers:
- Puppy obedience
- Competition obedience
- Hand-signal and voice command
- Pre-pet awareness
- On- and off-leash obedience
What are the costs of starting a dog training business?
There are several costs involved when starting a new business. These include:
- A business phone and a computer or laptop to effectively communicate with your clients and manage your website
- An adequate place to train dogs
- Application fees for your dog training licence
- Online marketing tools
- Accountancy services
- Certification renewals, if needed
- Additional staff, if needed
What is the best location to start a dog training business?
Location is key for your dog training business. The location will not only affect how many clients there are in your area, it will also be a factor in deciding your pricing and the way you manage your business. You should consider the following:
- You want to start your business in urban areas, which usually have a higher density of dogs.
- You might travel to your clients' homes as an added selling point.
If you want to use your own home, contact your local council first.
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