Dog Training Businesses for Sale

For many dog lovers, the idea of having a business training dogs would be a dream come true. For people who love dogs and have a knack for training, operating a business as a dog trainer can be a perfect way to blend your passions and your work.

There are some benefits to consider if you’re thinking about starting a dog training business or buying into one.

• Dog training is largely unregulated at this time. You can become a certified dog trainer but it’s not required by law in most places. You may have personal doubts about whether you are qualified enough to become a dog trainer or start your own business training dogs, but chances are, if you have taken some dog training classes, studied some books or good DVDs on dog training, or taken some good animal behavior courses, you should be qualified to help people with their pets. Most dog trainers are self-educated. Of course, it’s a good idea to assess the dogs that come to you. If a dog is beyond your current abilities, you can recommend someone with more experience. As long as you have some dog training experience yourself, you should be able to help many of the people who need some training help with their dogs.
• Many communities need good dog trainers. Animal shelters, rescue groups, pet stores, and other sites that place dogs are often in need of trainers. If you specialize in working in certain kinds of cases such as dogs that need socialization or dogs that need to learn basic obedience, you have an even better chance of picking up steady business.
• You can set your own hours and work part-time or full-time. Dog trainers often work from home, at least when they are first starting out. You can usually set your own hours and make house calls at a client’s home to see the dog in his own environment. This means that you can operate with low overhead to start out. It’s up to you to decide when or if you want to transition to training dogs full-time or open a facility for your business when you have a large client base.
• Dog training usually pays reasonably well. A group class in most urban areas usually costs between $50 and $125 per dog and lasts between four and eight weeks. Private training costs more. According to the Animal Behavior College, the average rate of pay for dog trainers is about $20 per hour. In certain parts of the country trainers with more expertise can earn a great deal more.

Expand your dog training business

As your business grows you can consider business matters such as taxes, insurance, and financial planning.

Consider new markets and diversify by implemenenting other services such as pet sitting and dog walking. You can also form an alliance with other businesses in your area such as pet groomers and veterinarians.

In addition to private lessons, you can also rent space or find a public park to offer group lessons and agility training classes.

If you would like to become certified as a dog trainer, groups such as the Association of Professional Dog Trainers can provide you with career information.

The beauty of owning a dog training business is that it’s up to you how fast you grow and how much time you decide to devote to it. Dog training is a very rewarding business for many people.