See yourself as a bit of a dog whisperer? Looking for a way to combine your love of dogs with earning an income? Then starting your own dog training business could be a lucrative option.
This guide will explore the pros and cons of starting your own dog training business and will explain the fundamentals of setting up for long-term success.
It’s important to look at the current landscape of the industry to understand whether there is even a demand for dog trainers. Following the surge in ‘Pandemic Puppies’, 3.2 million households in the UK decided to get a pet in response to social isolation experienced from multiple lockdowns. Combined with the shift towards working from home, people are in a better position to look after and care for a dog. The pet industry shows no signs of slowing down and the demand for expertise to ensure these animals are well trained is there for the taking.
The Benefits of Starting Your Own Dog Training Business
Starting your own dog training business comes with many responsibilities, but also some great benefits:
- Flexibility – being your own boss is liberating. Setting your own working hours and the option to work anywhere in the world is an attractive proposition.
- Fulfilment – transforming a poorly behaved dog into a sociable member of the family (as a result of your hard work) is incredibly rewarding.
- Professional growth – you have the option to work alone and build deeper connections to your local community. Or, expand your dog training business and manage trainers in multiple locations.
- Low upfront costs – it doesn’t take much investment to set yourself up as a dog training business. You need the client base, the skillset and of course…the passion.
The Challenges of Starting Your Own Dog Training Business
It’s important to weigh up the pros and cons when starting your own dog training business. Below are a few areas worth considering before taking the leap:
- Face-to-face clientele – dealing with customers can be challenging and demanding. There is a lot of pressure and responsibility to look after someone’s dog when they are often seen as part of the family.
- Risk for injury – there is a high risk of dog bites as an occupational hazard.
- Emotional ties – as you get to know each dog’s unique personality, you’ll likely form a bond with them. It’s important to set yourself boundaries to avoid becoming too attached. Once their training is complete, it’ll be time to say goodbye!
- Economic downturn – as the cost of living rises in the UK, those with discretionary income are less likely to pay someone to train their dog. Inflation can make it very difficult to maintain existing clientele, let alone attract new customers to your business.
What experience or qualifications do you need?
The pet service industry is a competitive sector. To effectively break into this space and build a brand for long-term success, it’s important to niche.
Consider what type of training service you will provide. We’ve compiled a list of the different areas you could specialize your dog training business:
