Are you a dog lover? Do you dream of one day having the opportunity to work with dogs full-time? If so, then you may just be destined to open your own doggy daycare! Today, we’ve compiled a list of 10 telltale signs that you should open a dog daycare of your very own.
So, keep reading to see if this career path should be in your future!
First Thing’s First: What Does Starting a Dog Daycare Involve?
Before we reveal the 10 signs that you should open your own dog daycare, let’s quickly discuss the components of a successful dog daycare.
Typically, such a business involves finding an appropriate space (or multiple spaces) and outfitting it with cages and play equipment tailored to the size, age, and breed of the dogs in your care. You’ll also need to obtain any applicable business licenses and certifications.
Of course, you’ll also need enough staff members to provide quality care for all of the furry friends that come through your doors!
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10 Signs That You Should Open a Dog Daycare
Alright, now let’s move on to what you’re really here for! If any of these 10 things applies to you, then you may be destined to start your very own doggy daycare business!
Reason #1: You Love Dogs More Than Anything
This reason is not only the most obvious – it’s also the most important! If dogs are the light of your life, then you’ll be able to provide the best care for them at your own daycare.
After all, as the age-old saying goes: “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life!”
Pro Tip: Start your dog daycare career off on the right path by getting professionally trained and certified in as little as 12 short weeks!
Reason #2: You Have a Passion for Taking Care of Animals
Running a successful business means providing quality care and services to your furry guests. If you’re passionate about taking care of animals, this is the perfect career opportunity for you!
When you open a dog daycare of your very own, you’ll get to spend your days doing what you love. Plus, all of the dogs at your daycare will benefit from your expertise!
Reason #3: You’re Great with People
Running a doggy daycare requires more than just taking care of animals… It also requires interacting with customers and establishing good relationships with them. If you’re great with people, then you’re in luck!
Not so great with people?
These 23 tips – courtesy of GetFeedback – will help you provide clients with positive, unforgettable experiences with your business!
Reason #4: You Like to Find Solutions for Problems
When starting and running any business, it’s important that you have the skills necessary to troubleshoot any potential problems or issues that may arise. As the owner of a dog daycare, such problems might include:
- Finding appropriate play equipment for your furry guests;
- Keeping the space clean and organized;
- Ensuring a safe environment;
- Handling customer complaints and feedback, etc.
So, if you like finding solutions to problems, then this is definitely the career path for you!
Reason #5: You’re an Organizational Wizard
Running a dog daycare business will require some serious organization skills! From scheduling staff and managing finances to tracking inventory and providing timely customer service – you’ll need to have everything under control.
If staying organized is your thing, then you should start planning your doggy daycare business right away!
Reason #6: You’re Self-Motivated and a Hard Worker
Starting a dog daycare business isn’t for the faint of heart. As with any business venture, it will require dedication and hard work to get it off the ground. For instance, some of the responsibilities that’ll be on your plate will include (but won’t be limited to):
- Developing a business plan;
- Keeping your facility clean;
- Making sure all inventory is in adequate supply;
- Marketing your services;
- Creating engaging content;
- Hiring and training staff;
- Making sure your furry guests are well taken care of, etc.
If you aren’t self-motivated and/or a hard worker, then this may not be the right career move for you. However, if this sounds like you, then you’re already well on your way to success!
Pro Tip: Here are 30 of the BEST tools to help you grow your pet business!
Reason #7: You Want to Learn More About Dogs
Opening and running a dog daycare isn’t simply about babysitting dogs while they frolic and play. In reality, you’re going to need to learn/know about:
- Canine behavior and temperament;
- How to correctly read a dog’s body language;
- Proper canine nutrition;
- First Aid for dogs;
- Dog training techniques and methods, etc.
If this sounds like something that you want to learn more about, then a career in doggy daycare might be perfect for you!
Reason #8: You Want to Be Your Own Boss
If you’re tired of working beneath someone else, then a career in doggy daycare is a great way to become your own boss. Some of the biggest perks that come with owning/running your own business are:
- Having more control over your working environment;
- Being able to choose the hours that you work;
- Deciding how much money you make and how you spend it;
- Having the freedom to create and implement your own policies, etc.
On the flip side, just keep in mind that being self-employed also comes with its fair share of responsibilities and challenges. For example, you’ll be solely responsible for all of your business’s success or failure.
So, if you think that you can handle the pressure and want to be your own boss, then opening a doggy daycare may be the perfect career path for you!
Reason #9: You Have a Background in Business
If you have some kind of background in business – whether that be from school or from prior work experience – then you’re already ahead of the game! Having a good knowledge of the fundamentals of running a business will make your foray into doggy daycare much smoother.
From understanding how to price and market your services to filing taxes and keeping accurate financial records – you’ll need to be an expert in all things business.
Pro Tip: Don’t have any prior business training? No problem! QC Pet Studies‘ self-paced, online Dog Daycare Course comes with an entire unit devoted to business training!
Reason #10: You Have a Vision
Opening and running a dog daycare business isn’t just about providing a service. It’s also about creating an experience for your furry guests and their humans! This means having a definite vision of what type of atmosphere you want to create and how you’ll make your guests feel welcome.
Do you envision a cozy, home-like environment where people and their pets can feel relaxed and secure? Or maybe you want to create a dynamic, interactive atmosphere that will keep both the humans and their pooches engaged.
No matter what vision you have, being able to bring your dream to life is a sign that YOU should open a dog daycare ASAP!
What You’ll Learn in QC’s Online Dog Daycare Course
If, by now, you’re convinced that you should open a dog daycare, then you’ll need the right training to set yourself up for success! QC Pet Studies’ self-paced, online Dog Daycare Course will arm you with everything you need – including an internationally-recognized certification – in as little as 12 short weeks!
Here’s a general overview of what you’ll learn in this 4-part program:
Part 1: Introductory Units
- Building a foundation for your dog daycare career;
- The different career paths/opportunities available to you;
- Necessary tools and supplies for these career paths;
- Dog behavior and communication;
- How a dog’s breed, health, and age can impact its behavior;
- Potential triggers and accidents that can occur at your dog daycare facility, etc.
Part 2: Activities with Dogs
- Activities that will benefit a dog’s physical, emotional, social, and cognitive stimulation;
- How to plan fun, stimulating activities for your clients’ dogs;
- Transportation of dogs;
- Hygiene, health, and safety;
- Safe nutrition at your doggy daycare;
- First Aid training (i.e. responding appropriately and safely to accidents and/or injuries), etc.
Part 3: Developing Your Services
- The huge range of services you’ll be able to offer clients;
- Developing standard operating procedures for your business;
- Supplementary services your dog daycare can also offer (such as transportation, dog grooming, dog training, etc.);
- Planning the policies that’ll guide your business;
- Additional ways to increase business revenue, etc.
Pro Tip: Did you know that QC Pet Studies also offers online certification training for dog grooming AND dog training as well? It’s true!
Part 4: Dog Daycare Business Training
- How to start and run your very own business;
- Developing brand identity;
- Identifying your target market;
- Selling/marketing your services;
- How and where to find clients;
- Working with clients;
- Professional communication, etc.
Conclusion
So, our only question for you at this point is: what are you waiting for?
Your dream career isn’t going to magically happen on its own! Rather, you need to take tangible steps towards it and take your future into your own hands!
If you have a passion for dogs and you can relate to the above 10 signs that you should open a dog daycare, then the Dog Daycare Course from QC Pet Studies is one of the best investments you can make for yourself and for your future.
Make it happen, and you could be running your very own dog daycare business before you know it!
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