I think we can all agree that the one of the best parts of owning your own business is that you get to be your very own boss… Of course, with that said, being an entrepreneur comes with its fair share of challenges. For instance, what if you’re not yet earning the profits you hoped you’d be making? If you’re reading this article, it’s because you’re a professional dog trainer – or an aspiring one, at least – that wants to know how to boost revenue for your dog training business.

Well, guess what?

You’re in the right place! So, look no further – because the 10 tips we’re going to break down in this article will arm you with everything you need to book more clients, increase sales, and earn more money!

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Before We Get Started: If you’re not yet a certified dog trainer, here’s how to become one in as little as 3 months… Right from the comfort of home!

How To Boost Revenue For Your Dog Training Business: Our Top 10 Tips

Tip #1: Add a Reputable Dog Training Certification To Your Resume

This may sound a little blunt, but we’re not going to mince words: if you don’t have some sort of certification or qualification to your name, you are going to be passed over in favor of a dog trainer who does. While this isn’t necessarily the case 100% of the time, of course, we would say it’s the reality about 90% of the time.

(Please note that this number is not a statistical fact. Rather, it’s simply a generalization based on truth.)

The reality is, if you want to be taken seriously as a dog trainer, it’s important that you have the proper credentials to back up your experience. That’s why one of the best ways to boost revenue for your dog training business is by becoming certified through an accredited organization, such as QC Pet Studies.

Not only will this give you the skills and knowledge you need to excel in your career; it will also make you far more attractive to potential clients. And, at the end of the day, that’s what we’re really shooting for here – right?

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Learn all about QC Pet Studies’ self-paced, online Dog Training certification course!

Tip #2: Develop a Solid Brand Identity

A dog training business is just like any other type of business out there – in order to make money, you have to first establish a solid brand identity. This means creating a logo, choosing the right color scheme, and coming up with a tagline that accurately represents what your business is all about.

From there, your brand identity should be consistent across all of your marketing materials. Meaning, on your website, your business cards, and all social media accounts. In turn, you’ll be able to develop a strong, recognizable presence in the dog training industry – which is EXACTLY what you need if you want to boost revenue for your business.

In a nutshell, a strong brand identity will make you far more memorable to potential clients. It’ll also help you to stand out from the competition, which is no small feat in today’s day and age.

Not sure where to start? Check out these 7 tips for creating a killer brand identity, courtesy of Shopify!

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Tip #3: Offer Client Discounts and Incentives

Okay, this one might sound a bit counterproductive at first glance. After all, the whole point is to make more money… But how can you do this if you’re shaving off a few bucks for clients?

Hear us out, because the answer is two-fold…

Firstly, by offering discounts or incentives, you’re effectively increasing the likelihood of a client booking with you over another dog trainer. In other words, they see that they’re getting a deal by choosing you. In turn, this leads to the second point: this will also make them more likely to book with you again in the future.

So, what kind of discounts or incentives should you be offering?

This really depends on your target market. However, some popular ideas include:

  • A percentage off the client’s first booking
  • Free trial lessons for first-time clients
  • A complimentary dog training e-book or report
  • Referral discounts (when someone a client has referred to you actually makes a booking)
  • A loyalty program
  • Discounts for repeat clients on additional services and/or products you sell

Basically, get creative and see what you can come up with that will appeal to your target market. Just remember that, at the end of the day, your goal is to increase revenue – so make sure you’re offering deals that are actually going to do that!

And speaking of your target market…

Tip #4: Know Who Your Target Market Is

This is a big one, so pay close attention…

If you want to boost revenue for your dog training business, you need to have a firm understanding of who your target market is. In other words, who are the types of clients that you’re trying to attract?

Now, this might seem like a no-brainer at first glance. After all, you’re trying to attract dog owners, right?

But it’s not quite that simple.

You see, there are all sorts of different types of dog owners out there. Some might own a small dog that they’ve never trained before, while others might have a large, aggressive breed that they’re struggling to control.

Some dog owners might live in a rural area, while others might live in the heart of the city. And so on and so forth.

The point is, you need to know exactly who your target market is before you can even begin to think about boosting revenue for your business. Once you have a firm understanding of this, you’ll be able to create targeted marketing campaigns that are far more likely to result in sales.

Not sure how to get started? Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

  • Are there specific types of dogs that you train (e.g. puppies, large breeds, obedience training, competition training, etc.)?
  • What types of clients are you trying to attract (e.g. first-time dog owners, experienced dog owners, those with aggressive dogs, etc.)?
  • What geographical area are you targeting (e.g. urban, suburban, rural)?
  • Are there any specific client needs/wants you’re trying to meet (e.g. flexible scheduling, convenient location, affordable rates, etc.)?
  • What types of services do you offer (e.g. group classes, private lessons, board and train, etc.)?
  • How can you appeal them (i.e. through your branding, marketing, etc.)?

Once you have the answers to these questions, you’ll be well on your way to knowing who your target market is. From there, you can start creating marketing campaigns that are specifically designed to appeal to them.

Since we’re now on the topic of marketing campaigns, let’s move onto our next tip…

Tip #5: Invest in Marketing Your Dog Training Business

This might seem like another obvious one, but it’s worth mentioning nonetheless. If you want to boost revenue for your dog training business, you need to invest in marketing it!

There are all sorts of different marketing strategies that you can use to promote your business. However, not all of them will be equally effective – so it’s important to choose wisely.

Some popular (and effective) marketing ideas for dog trainers include:

The key is to find a marketing strategy – or combination of strategies – that’ll work well for your specific business. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution here. Mainly, it’s important to simply experiment and see what works best for you.

Once you’ve invested in marketing your dog training business, you should start to see an uptick in bookings and sales.

But if you really want to give your revenue a boost, you need to go above and beyond simply acquiring new clients. You also need to focus on your prices…

Tip #6: Increase Your Prices and/or Get Creative With Your Rates

This is something that a lot of dog trainers are hesitant to do, but it’s definitely worth considering if you want to boost revenue for your business.

You see, the thing is, most dog trainers undercharge for their services. And as a result, they end up working long hours for very little pay.

Increasing Your Prices

If you’re currently in this situation, it might be time to increase your prices. How much you should charge depends on a variety of factors – such as your geographical location, the type of services you offer, your experience level, etc.

To get an idea of how much other dog trainers in your area are charging, simply do a quick search online or ask around for recommendations. Once you have a ballpark figure, you can start to increase your prices gradually.

Adorable black and tan Cavalier King Charles Spaniel behaving well and paying attention during a training session outdoors. Dog training business revenue article.

Getting Creative With Your Rates

Alternatively, if you’re not comfortable increasing your prices outright, you can get creative with your rates. For example, you could charge a higher rate for private lessons and a lower rate for group classes.

Or, if you offer board and train services, you could charge a higher rate for longer stays and a lower rate for shorter stays.

The options are really endless! It’s just a matter of finding what works best for you and your business. By increasing your prices and/or getting creative with your rates, you should be able to boost revenue significantly.

But if you really want to take things to the next level, the next thing to consider is the services your business actually offers…

Tip #7: Expand Your Dog Training Business Services

If you want to boost revenue for your dog training business, it might be time to start expanding the services you offer. When a business offers a wider range of services, they typically see a significant increase in sales.

The reason for this is simple, really: the more services you offer, the more likely you are to appeal to a wider range of potential clients. And when you have a larger client base, you have more opportunities to make sales and boost revenue for your dog training business!

Examples Of Additional Services You Can Offer

The list of things you can do is endless. Obviously, for the sake of time, we won’t list everything – or else you’ll be here all day!

However, here are some suggestions…

Say that you currently only offer private lessons. You could add group classes or board and train services to your business. Alternately, let’s say you already offer a variety of dog training services. In that case, you could start offering complementary pet services, such as:

  • Dog grooming
  • Dog walking
  • Doggy daycare
  • Pet boarding
  • Pet sitting

Ultimately, just make sure that you’re only expanding your business services if it makes sense for your specific business. For example, if you’re a small dog trainer with a limited amount of space, it might not make sense to start offering boarding services. But if you have the space and the resources to do so, it could be a great way to boost revenue for your dog training business!

This is just one example of how expanding your services can help to boost revenue. But there are plenty of other ways to do it as well.

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Fun Fact: QC Pet Studies also offers an internationally-recognized Dog Grooming Course (that, yes, can also be completed at your own pace and from the comfort of home)!

Tip #8: Use Technology/Software To Your Advantage

In today’s world, there’s really no excuse for not using technology and software to your advantage. With so many great options out there, there’s really no reason why you can’t be using them to help boost revenue for your dog training business!

Scheduling Software

For example, one way you could use technology is by investing in online scheduling software. This type of software would allow potential clients to book appointments with you online, 24/7. Not only is this convenient for them, but it’s also a great way to increase sales and boost revenue for your business!

Popular examples of scheduling software include:

Social Media

Another example of how you can use technology to your advantage is by using social media platforms to market your business. If you’re not already using social media to promote your dog training business, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity!

Social media is a great way to reach new potential clients and market your business. And the best part is, it’s completely free to use! All you need is a little time and effort, and you can be well on your way to boosting revenue for your dog training business.

Currently, the most popular social media platforms you should be getting your dog training business seen on are:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • TikTok
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn

Business Management Software

Lastly, another way we recommend utilize tech to your advantage is to invest in business management software (if your budget allows for it). This type of software can help you to automate and streamline your business, which can free up your time to focus on other things – like making sales and boosting revenue!

There are tons of great business management software options out there, so be sure to do your research and find the one that’s right for you and your business. That said, our top business management software recommendations are:

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Tip #9: Boost Dog Training Revenue With Passive and Recurring Income Opportunities

One great way to boost revenue for your dog training business is to find opportunities for passive and/or recurring income. This type of income is great because it allows you to make money without having to put in a lot of work upfront. Plus, in some cases, it can even be recurring – meaning you’ll continue to get paid for it month after month (or year after year)!

So, how can you find opportunities for passive and/or recurring income? Here are a few ideas:

  • Sell digital products (e.g. ebooks, courses, etc.)
  • Create a membership site
  • Offer consulting services
  • Rent out space in your facility
  • Sell physical products

The beauty of passive and/or recurring income is that it can often be a “set it and forget it” type of situation. Once you’ve created the product or service, you can continue to make money from it for months or even years to come! Meanwhile, you’ve freed up some time in your busy work schedule that you can instead devote to other areas of your business…

Or, you know, just take advantage of it so you can relax and breathe!

Tip #10: Increase Dog Training Sales By Networking, Partnering, and Collaborating

Last but not least, another great way to boost revenue for your dog training business is by networking, partnering, and collaborating with other businesses in your industry.

Networking

Networking is a great way to get your name and your business out there, as well as to build relationships with other dog trainers. You never know when one of these connections might come in handy (or even lead to a partnership or collaboration down the road)!

Here are some handy tips for networking:

  • Research dog training events in your area (e.g. conferences, meetups, etc.) and make sure to attend as many as possible.
  • Join relevant online communities and forums (e.g. Facebook groups (such as QC Pet Studies’ Virtual Classroom for QC students and grads), LinkedIn groups, etc.) and participate in the conversations regularly.
  • Reach out to other dog trainers in your area (or even outside of your area) and see if they’d be interested in meeting up for coffee or lunch.
  • Join relevant associations or organizations (e.g. the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, etc.).

Partnering

Partnering is another great way to boost revenue for your dog training business. When you partner with another business, you can often tap into their customer base and/or reach, which can help you to increase your sales.

Not sure how to find potential partners? Here are a couple ideas:

  • Look for businesses that complement your own (e.g. if you offer dog training services, you could partner with a local pet store).
  • Reach out to businesses in your area (or even outside of your area) that you admire and see if they’d be interested in partnering with you.

Collaborating

Collaborating is similar to partnering, except that it’s usually more focused on a one-time project or initiative rather than an ongoing relationship. However, like partnering, collaborating can help you to increase your reach and/or sales.

Examples of collaborations you, as a dog trainer, could get involved with would be:

  • Writing blog posts or articles for other pet-related websites or publications.
  • Doing guest lectures or webinars for other dog trainers or businesses.
  • Being featured in a podcast, interview, or case study.
  • Training dogs at your local animal shelter or rescue.

Not sure how to find potential collaborators? Reach out to other dog trainers in your area (or even outside of your area) and see if they’d be interested in collaborating on a project or initiative. Additionally, you can also look for businesses that complement your own (e.g. if you offer dog training services, you could collaborate with a local pet store on a workshop or event).

Pembroke Welsh corgi on a green grassy meadow. Teaches the puppy to walk on a leash. Dog training sessions. Dog training business revenue article.

Conclusion

There you have it! These are just a few ideas to get you started on boosting revenue for your dog training business. Remember: the best way to increase sales is to get your name and your business out there as much as possible!

Do you have any other tips or advice on how dog trainers can boost their revenue? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Thanks for reading – and good luck with your dog training business!

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