Book Your Pet's Comprehensive Guide To Setting Dog Training Rates
Dog training is a vital pet business that helps pet owners train their puppies to form strong bonds with their human companions while learning good behavior and developing confidence. One of the most important aspects of this business is setting dog training rates.
It’s an essential service that prevents dogs from developing negative behaviors, such as mischievousness, boredom, and aggression, as they grow into adulthood.
When you open a dog training business, you must become familiar with the industry, your costs, and the certification required to offer services and establish rates for your business.
Setting Dog Training Rates And Pricing
As a new trainer who is just getting started, there are many factors to review before you set your dog training rates, including the services you’ll provide, whether you’ll help owners train their pups in group classes or privately, certification, experience, and location. You’ll want to review competitors’ rates in your region, which is important when establishing dog trainer rates for your business.
It’s also crucial to include the dog trainer rates of running your dog training business, local competition, and the value of your services, which all play an essential role in setting pricing for each session.
What Are The Dog Training Costs? How To Set New Dog Trainer Rates
There are many expenses to consider when you open your dog training business. It’s often not easy to establish your pricing. However, once you become familiar with the financial commitment and preparation required to provide dog training services, you’ll have a better idea of what to charge your clients.
You’ll want to ensure that your dog training classes fulfil all basic, intermediate, or advanced training requirements. In many regions, certification is required, and pet owners expect to learn techniques to improve dog behavior and basic obedience from a professional trainer.
There are several expenses you’ll want to consider for your dog training classes or training session so that you can develop a financial plan:
- The cost of renting a facility where group classes and private training sessions are held. Is it a shared space with other pet business professionals, such as dog groomers or retailers, or a small space with access to the outdoors? The location and size of your facility will impact the cost of the rent.
- Hiring, training, and managing staff, if you have other professional dog trainers working in your facility. It’s essential to include their wages or the cost of sharing space, training fees, certification, and other expenses if they work independently as a professional dog trainer.
- Travel costs for demonstrations at live shows, private lessons, and private in-home training sessions at the home of the dog owner.
- Setting up the indoor space to accommodate small or large groups of pet owners who register for basic obedience training lessons.
If you offer supplies for dog owners, such as leashes, collars, and props for certified dog trainers, it’s essential to include these in the costs of running your business.
Determine Your Customer Base
Pricing depends significantly on your customer base and the people looking for dog training services in your area. Suppose you operate your dog obedience training business in an area with high demand and low competition. In that case, you can likely charge a bit more for services, whether it’s private dog training, puppy training, or group training sessions.
If your customers are willing to pay a premium for quality services from certified dog trainers, they're more likely to pay a premium. On the other hand, if your region consists of many dog training businesses, you may need to start at an average price, based on standard dog training prices, as long as your expenses don’t exceed revenue.
In some neighborhoods, a professional dog trainer may volunteer at local animal shelters or participate in helping rescued dogs and cats find new homes. While many communities and pets benefit from these outstanding services, a new dog training business owner may not have the time or ability to get involved.
Dedicating a limited amount of time, even two or three hours each month, can help establish your brand locally and attract new customers. It’s also great to network and connects with related pet businesses, such as veterinarians, animal behavior specialists, dog groomers, and retail pet stores.
While getting involved with non-profit organizations that support rescued animals and pets, it’s crucial to balance your time carefully to earn a profit and focus on your customers’ needs.
It’s also essential to maintain a consistent customer base and get to know your clients so that you can inquire about their expectations, their pet’s behavior, how they currently handle animal behavior issues and other details that can assist in the training process.
Pricing Models And Ranges
How do you plan on pricing your business’s dog training classes? Do you offer basic and specific training for dog owners, specialized service dog training, working with therapy dogs, or standard dog training classes with basic commands? Are you looking to set dog training rates per hour, per class, or a flat fee for a set of lessons?
Setting Dog Training Rates Per Hour And Private, In-Home Dog Training Rates
In many cases, dog owners understand that they will pay a higher fee for specialized services, including private behavior modification lessons, working with an older dog or puppies, and online dog training.
You’ll also want to take into consideration where you provide instruction, as this impacts how you set in-home dog training rates and private dog training rates.
If you charge the least expensive rates in your area, you’ll attract new clients, though it’s essential to set a worthwhile price that will allow you to continue your business without losses.
If your business model includes incorporating specialized, private training sessions and hiring professional dog trainers who work closely with service and therapy dogs, this will require specific pricing.
Setting Private Dog Training Rates
Specific rates may also apply to private dog training with credentials or a reputation that’s well-established and positive in the community, which justifies a higher fee. When you’re ready to set your rates, you’ll want to consider the options available.
Flat Fee Rates
Flat fee pricing offers customers the option of choosing a program based on the level of training their dog needs, such as one or more classes, for one cost. This gives dog owners a clear idea of what they’re receiving for a set price.
When you develop a flat fee structure, you’ll have the option of offering specialized rates for groups, private training, and advanced dog training so that your clients can choose which program fits best for their puppy or adult dog.
It’s also important to provide details of the services included in the training so that your clients can set clear expectations for their pet and the outcome of the class.
Hourly Rates
If you’re new to running a pet business, you may prefer starting with an hourly rate, and gauging your customer’s response to your business, what you offer, and the results of training their dog.
While hourly rates are great for small business owners looking to make extra income as a certified dog trainer, fixed rates for a specific class or package are the best option for long-term growth and success.
Summary
Professional dog trainers provide an essential service to pet owners and furry companions. While pricing your services may prove initially tricky, you’ll soon find that clients are willing to pay for quality services and results.
When clients search for a dog trainer, they assess reputation, reviews, experience, and certifications, to ensure they receive the best value for their investment.
For this reason, it’s often best to start at a slightly lower price and gradually increase along with the demand for pet training services.
Find out how Book Your Pet can provide the tools and resources you need to get your dog training business started.