A Day in the Life: What It Takes to Run a Dog Training Franchise

Does working with furry friends on a daily basis massively appeal to you? Then starting your very own dog training franchise would be a fantastic franchise investment option. Not only is it an in-demand sector, but you’ll be working with some of the best clients imaginable: dogs! 

Dog training helps to foster better animal behaviour, promotes socialisation and creates a better relationship between owner and pet by increasing understanding. If this is the kind of career that sounds ideal to you, keep reading. Discover what a day in the life might look like if you decided to take the plunge, make a career change and start running a dog training franchise.

A day in the life of a dog training business 

When looking into how to become a dog trainer, one thing that you should be paying close attention to is what you’ll be doing on a daily basis, and whether this suits you from a professional standpoint. The specific roles and responsibilities you’ll take on if you choose to become a dog trainer will differ from franchise to franchise, but generally speaking, you can expect to be regularly:

• Working closely with dogs and their owners to figure out their needs
• Teaching, socialising, disciplining and guiding dogs
• Teaching owners how to do the above
• Managing a team of trainers (for larger-scale investments)
• Managing the day-to-day runnings of your franchise (finances, inventory, so on)
• Marketing and advertising your franchise effectively
• Keeping up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in the dog training sector

Advantages of running a dog training franchise 

If dog training appeals to you, it’ll be music to your ears that there are plenty of advantages to starting a dog training business via a franchise investment. If you’re unsure as to whether this is the best investment opportunity for you, here’s a rundown of the biggest advantages to consider as you make your decision:

• Demand is high in the dog training sector, and referrals/repeat customers are likely 
• You’ll become an integral, beloved part of your local community
• You’ll receive speedy doggy feedback and be able to act quickly when issues arise
• You’ll be able to grow and expand your business in a supported franchise format 
• Working with dogs can improve your physical health 
• Working with dogs can improve your mental health 

Challenges of running a dog training business 

As with anything in life, where there are pros there are also cons. It’s important that before you commit to starting your own dog training franchise, you understand not just the advantages of this career path, but the potential drawbacks. While demand for dog training services is high, competition is also stiff. Your franchise will have to work hard to stand out in a saturated market. Plus, if you don’t like spending a lot of time outdoors and working with pooches, you might find running a dog training franchise a little too hands-on. Do your research, and ensure your wants and needs match up.

Franchising opportunities in the dog training sector 

1. PetStay

PetStay is a franchise that’s committed to delivering quality care to dogs across the UK. Established in 2005 by Carole Davy, the business has grown substantially since, and is now globally recognised and trusted as an alternative to kennels.

• Becoming a PetStay franchisee: You don’t need any prior experience in the pet industry, but you should have business acumen, strong customer service skills and a huge love of dogs.
• How much you need to invest: You’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £9,995.
• What you get for your investment: You’ll receive a three day initial training programme, plus business training, technical training, marketing training and all the ongoing support that you need.

2. Dogknows 

Dogknows is a dog walking business that has grown considerably since it was first founded in 2011 by Bobs Broadbent. It stands out from its competitors by incorporating training into all of its outings, creating a tailored programme for each and every furry friend.

• Becoming a Dogknows franchisee: You don’t need any industry experience, but you should be reliable, enthusiastic and well-organised, with strong communication skills, practical dog handling skills and a dedication to caring for every dog correctly.
• How much you need to invest: You’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £7,500, with a total investment cost of £15,000.
• What you get for your investment: You’ll undergo an initial 10-day training course, followed by a full start-up package, Dogknows mentoring and all the ongoing support that you need.

3. Barking Mad

There are many amazing investment options in the world of dog daycare, but one you should definitely check out is Barking Mad, established in 2000 and now “the UK’s most trusted pet sitting service, rated no.1 by Trustpilot” [Barking Mad]. 

• Becoming a Barking Mad franchisee: You don’t need previous industry experience to invest, but you should love working with animals and be looking to build a flexible business and commit to a long-term investment.
• What you need to invest: You’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £10,000, with a total investment cost of £14,995.
• What you get for your investment: You’ll be guided through every step of the start-up process. You’ll be able to make use of expert guides, training and support - all designed to help you move towards that dream six-figure Barking Mad turnover.

Start a dog training business today, and enjoy all the benefits of running your own business 

Owning a dog training franchise is the perfect career path for many driven, entrepreneurial dog lovers. But it’s not the only option. If you’d love to work with dogs and run a franchise focused on this, but you’re not set on dog training, be sure to stick around on Point Franchise. Check out some franchise investment opportunities in the wider pet and dog sector, from Barking Mad to Wagging Tails.