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Question: Dog training business....?

(Posted by: Mrs.Burkhart on 2010-03-01 13:47:32)

When my fiance and I graduate from dog training college we were going to start out working for someone else instead of having our own business, but I really would like to start our business right away. My problem is that I don't know if the area we live in would be great for a dog training business. It doesn't seem like many people professionally train their dogs, but maybe I'm wrong. So my question is: Have you ever had your dog professionally trained and how much would you pay to do so... I know when my mother got her chi trained it was a lot but I wouldn't want to charge an arm and a leg.

Posted by: Click ツ on 2010-03-01, 13:49:14

Hello, I am going to TRY and answer your question today. I hope this helps.. Your dog has to train a lot in order to develop a business, :S Thanks For Your Time

Posted by: Aduial on 2010-03-01, 13:50:06

I don't own my own business but I'm an independent trainer and I contract with a kennel and boarding place. You will only be able to start a business in an area that has interest in dogs and training. It's not an easy thing to do. This is something to start working on right now.

Posted by: Haley on 2010-03-01, 13:57:15

I did a puppy obedience training course in my area (Central Maine) It is very rural and we had a full class and it was $60 for 4 classes.

Posted by: shadowproject22 on 2010-03-01, 13:59:32

You need to figure out who your target audience would be and what they're looking for in your area. It doesn't matter if Joe Shmo paid his dog trainer $400 to train his dog if people in your demographics are only willing to pay $40. Also, keep in mind, that the actual owner needs to put in more work than you do in order to be successful.

Posted by: bluebonnetgranny on 2010-03-01, 14:05:52

When I graduated from Dog Training School there was a clause that said I could not work in the same state as the school was in for at least a year unless I worked for them. I was the only local person attending the school & I had to work for them until that year was up. As far as to what to charge, I would get on the phone & call around to some of the different training facilities & find out what everyone is charging for what. Then find the happy medium & charge that.

Posted by: TT on 2010-03-01, 14:09:09

I sort of get my dog "professionally " trained. I take him to PetSmart for obedience classes for like $100... maybe you could try to get a job there... :)

Posted by: T J on 2010-03-01, 14:09:36

Dog training college?????? What's that???? A dog trainer that couldn't earn a living training dogs, so he decided to scam people instead?????? There are quite a few around that make a pretty fair living training dogs, none of them went to "dog training college ", the successful ones did go to college tho' --- "business college " --- Most worked for a successful trainer to learn how to train dogs. I owned a training kennels for many years that I used for supplemental income. It was not at all uncommon for for it to show a larger net than my primary business. Don't be afraid to charge what your time and facilities are worth, otherwise you will not be in business very long. The normal stay at my kennels for a dog to go through "basics " (O/ B through swim-by & shore breaking) was 5 months. This dog would be ready for Derby/ Senior Hunter competition, total cost would be about 6k, 3k of that would be my net profit margin. Oh, and one thing you will soon find out when you become your own boss is that your boss can be an azzhole! j/ k Especially when it comes to time off!

Posted by: Misty on 2010-03-01, 14:09:59

I recently paid for basic training for my dog and it was approximately $80 that covered 7-8 weeks, plus I had to buy some of the training leashes and treats that were suggested. Approximately 1 to 1-1/ 2 hours per week at a local pet store that rented a back room to the trainer (or just let her use it or whatever.) There were 7 dogs in my group, but they didn't always show up... sometimes I was the only one in class. In my area, this was the lowest rate for what is offered. From what I remembered several months ago, others were charging between $150-200. If you wanted to get a feel for the interest in your area, I looked for training offers on bulletin boards at dog parks, local pet stores, and Craigslist. Just mention that a start date is pending based on the demand received, then give those people updates so they feel like you're 'on top of it!' I would start with offering some-what low group rates (or private if that is the demand), because many people can't afford to do stuff like that. Work with the economy... maybe offer smaller packages... some people can't commit to 8 weeks straight, so you'll have to track it for them or offer 2-3 week sessions for a certain cost. Just an idea!

Posted by: YODEL on 2010-03-01, 17:03:51

Working for somebody else for a while would be the best way for you to get an answer to your questions. It may not be exactly what you want to do, but it is a smart business decision. You don't want to jump in head-first when you don't know how deep the water is. Working for somebody else will give you a good idea of the local market and what you can expect, before you take a risk and invest a lot of money into a business venture. Working for somebody else is also a good way to get more real hands-on experience & grow your reputation. Reputation & real-world experience is going to be 10 times more valuable to your business than a certificate from any "dog training college ". If you work for a trainer who has a good reputation, your own reputation will be helped by association. In virtually ANY industry, it is far easier to start off working for someone else when you are new to the game, and then branch out on your own once you have learned the ropes and made a name for yourself. It gives you insider experience, and provides you with contacts & connections you'd never have if you were starting out as an "outsider " trying to compete with established businesses. That being said....I haven't ever sent a dog away from my home to be trained. I wouldn't send a dog away for training unless it was an advanced discipline I was unfamiliar with and there were no local resources (clubs, classes, etc) to help me. Herding training, personal protection....something like that, where I simply don't have access to the resources I need, let alone the handling experience to adequately train in those disciplines. The amount I'd be willing to pay for such specialized training would entirely depend on the reputation & success of the trainer I was using, the duration of the dog's stay, and the difficulty of the training involved. I know there are nationally known trainers out there in various arenas who can ask $500-$1000 per month for training and people eagerly pay it. I suppose if I really valued the expertise of a particular trainer, and really needed the training done right, I'd pay as much as I had to. One trainer I know of personally has people shipping dogs to him from all over the country (and once in a while, from overseas) to be trained. But he has decades of experience and is nationally recognized in his field. It doesn't happen overnight. Good luck to you :).