Guidance for Pet Professionals
1. What role does market research play when starting a new business?
It is vital to assess the market and your local competitors.
What do you offer that they don’t? What is their business model? How can you position yourself within the market and make your product unique, while ensuring it is priced appropriately?
2. How can professionals promote and grow their business?
There are many ways – it starts with your website and how you use social media to drive people there. Building veterinary relationships and other collaborations is also essential.
3. Can you offer any advice for managing and nurturing their customer base?
Deliver an outstanding product – word of mouth is extremely powerful.
4. As their business gets busier, how can professionals stay organised?
Implement clear systems and processes early on, such as scheduling software and client management tools. Time-blocking, setting priorities, and delegating tasks where possible will help prevent overwhelm.
5. When should a professional look to hire additional staff for their business?
When demand consistently exceeds your capacity and begins to affect the quality of your service or your work–life balance. Hiring staff can also be valuable if you wish to expand services or free up time to focus on business development.
6. For dog trainers specifically, what’s one mistake you often see, and how can they avoid or fix it?
Being stuck in an ideology that does not help your clients – which often results in people going elsewhere. Be honest, open-minded, and work in the best interests of your clients and their dogs.
7. What courses or qualifications would you recommend for dog trainers to develop their skills?
The Cambridge Institute of Dog Behaviour & Training (CIDBT) is highly recommended, along with gaining hands-on experience across all aspects and disciplines within the industry.
8. Outside of career-specific skills, what other experience is beneficial for a new pet business owner?
You can be the best dog trainer in the world, but if no one knows about you, you won’t succeed. Marketing skills, report-writing skills, and the ability to create and maintain relationships and partnerships are all essential – and much more besides!
9. What’s one thing all professionals should know about the pet care industry?
You need to build your own team – collaborate with people who share the same honesty and passion as you.
10. Where can professionals go for more support and guidance?
The Guild of Dog Trainers and the Canine & Feline Behaviour Association are excellent places to start.
