Business Basics – Self Study

Setting up as a dog trainer isn’t just about knowing how to train dogs (and people) effectively. You’ll need to set up your own business.

And that’s probably the scariest thing to have to deal with when you’re starting out.

Some of my other courses cover the knowledge you’ll need about dogs and all about the all-important humans you’ll be teaching, so do have a good browse around my Academy for those.

But you also need a good foundation to your business – things that are nothing to do directly with training dogs. Setting these basic business building blocks up from the start will give you the firm foundation you need to make a success of your new career.

This Business Basics self-study course and the accompanying workbook are aimed at helping you set yourself up to have a successful dog training business. It takes you through the steps you’ll need to get started and set your business up properly.

From making a plan to working out finances, getting yourself known and finding the best clients, protecting yourself legally and finding the support you’ll need, when you work through this course you’ll have the basics in place.

The course consists of four Modules plus a workbook.

The Business Basics workbook that accompanies this course has four sections. The first section is all about developing your business strategy and plan, and the n following section is about how to make that strategy happen. The next section covers the legal stuff – how to set yourself up legally, and how to protect yourself from potential problems and the final section helps you identify and find the help and support that’s right for you.

• Module 1 of the course delves into what makes a good dog trainer, talks about the different approaches to training and then discusses the practicalities of deciding what services you want to offer.
• In Module 2 I discuss how important it is to know who your ideal customer is and goes through what you need to know about them. I talk about setting your strategic objectives – your core purpose – and help you work out how you’re going to reach them. It also covers more detailed financial planning.
• Module 3 is all about how you can attract great clients by focusing on their problems depending on what level of awareness they have about you and your services. We’ll discuss how potential clients will find you and we’ll also talk about why not all clients will choose you.
• In the final Module I’ll talk about how to sell yourself and your services better. I’ll also talk about why it is so important to keep learning and developing – and how to do that effectively and efficiently without getting overwhelmed My mission is to assist you to become a great dog trainer by helping you build your knowledge, confidence and mindset and provide the support you need to begin your new career. This course is part of that journey.