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Expert dog training business coaching
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Veronica

Athena’s THRIVE! Success Story

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Athena went from the brink of burnout to a thriving business with a healthy work/life balance – the dream!

Prior to THRIVE!, I was very burnt out and had started looking for another job altogether.

Before joining THRIVE!, Athena found herself on the brink of burnout, contemplating a shift to an office job far removed from the challenges of dog training. The onset of COVID-19 intensified feelings of defeat, as well as self-doubt and a lack of clear direction. Having learned about THRIVE!, Athena hoped the collective support of the dogbiz community could help her build the business she envisioned.

Now, I am always comfortably busy. I have a very good work/life balance. I have clients that I enjoy, and I am able to add more to the family budget.

Fast forward to today, Athena’s business and life have undergone a significant transformation. She’s comfortably busy and enjoying an enviable work/life balance. Her clients bring her joy rather than exhaustion, and she’s contributing more to the family budget without working evenings or weekends. Athena has used guidance from THRIVE! to set up a structured and balanced master schedule, and the dedicated ‘office hours’ helps her stay focused.

Among her noteworthy accomplishments are:

New website: Athena revamped her website, putting in the effort until she loved the result.
Rebranding: She rebranded her company, including filing a dba and updating all associated marketing materials.
SEO work: Athena delved into SEO work, constantly learning and improving her skills.
Service mix: Athena’s training now comprises 75% Day Training and 25% coaching.
CSAT certification: Athena’s proudest achievement, obtaining a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT) certification, has empowered her to focus on separation anxiety, her next big goal.

All of these things have helped me be more confident and able to advocate for myself and my business.

THRIVE! became Athena’s main support group. The community, working towards similar goals, provided the encouragement needed to stretch her limits. This has helped Athena pick up more marbles and tackle challenges head-on. She loves that if she can’t attend live sessions, the Hub is a reliable resource, allowing her to grow her business at her own pace.

The dogbiz team have been in the training world themselves, and they use their talents at marketing, organizing, and teaching to help all of us succeed.

Create YOUR business success story with THRIVE!

Ashley’s THRIVE! Success Story

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When excitement about becoming a certified dog trainer turned to disappointment, Ashley ditched the bad business advice and found success and confidence through THRIVE!.

I spent LOADS of money on scummy ‘business coaches’ who did far more harm than good.

Ashley was ready to jump into life as a dog trainer after becoming a Certified Trick Dog Instructor and completing a certification in canine behavior. But the excitement of starting her own business quickly turned into discouragement when she fell prey to unhelpful “business coaches” who left her with no clear direction. Ashley felt like she was floundering. Her turning point came when a successful fellow dog trainer told her about THRIVE!

I am unrecognizable from my past self in just a little over half a year. My confidence in myself, my skills, and my business have grown.

After almost a year of THRIVE! membership, Ashley’s confidence has skyrocketed. Imposter syndrome, once a nagging presence, has nearly disappeared. Ashley now confidently introduces herself as the go-to expert for her clients. Financial stress has diminished and she no longer feels the need to accept whatever work comes her way, instead focusing on working with clients she truly enjoys. Ashley is doing the work she loves, and relishing the role of being her own boss.

I can thrive by allowing myself to do the work that I LOVE, instead of desperately taking whatever is offered. I have opportunities I could have only DREAMED of!

Being a THRIVE! member provided Ashley with technical knowledge about the business, but more crucially, it offered a supportive community. The encouragement, support, and celebratory atmosphere around both small and big wins were the positive reinforcement she needed.

The live sessions and the program Hub provided essential resources, and the flexibility allowed her to access valuable content on her own timeline. The THRIVE! Facebook group also emerged as a lifeline for Ashley, offering feedback on her work and a supportive space whenever she needed it. She’s excited to see what she and fellow members accomplish next. 

THRIVE! is a group of inspiring, dedicated, and hardworking R+ dog trainers who lift one another up to succeed and don’t gate-keep success secrets.

Create YOUR business success story with THRIVE!

Bridging the Gap: 6 Ways to Make Dog Training More Accessible

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Why did you become a dog trainer? If you’re like most of the trainers we work with, you probably discovered the benefits of R+ training with your own dog, you love helping dogs and their people, and you’re passionate about animal welfare. Your dedication to making the world better for dogs probably extends well beyond your paying clients. And this may sometimes feel like a dilemma. There can be tension between the goal of building a profitable business and the desire to share your skills with dog lovers who may struggle to access them.

The good news is that it is possible to do both, without giving all your time away or feeling like you’re only serving a small portion of your community. Here are some of our favorite ways to build your business and share your expertise with a wider audience.

  1. Create Online Resources

These days there are a plethora of options to make your dog training knowledge accessible to everyone. Consider creating online resources such as video tutorials, blog posts, or downloadable guides. These resources can cover basic training techniques, common behavioral issues, and tips for dog owners. By offering free, easily accessible content, you contribute to a more informed and empowered canine community while sharing your expertise with potential paying clients.

Running webinars or virtual workshops as a ‘taster’ for your services is another way to use your knowledge to serve a broader audience while serving double-duty as a marketing project.  These sorts of projects can be particularly powerful if you have a specific training niche to highlight.

  1. Develop Online Courses

While your premium services may cater to a specific audience, you may also want to create online courses for those on a budget. These courses could cover fundamental training principles, basic behavior modification techniques, and management strategies. Modern learning platforms offer a user-friendly way to structure and deliver online courses, making them easily accessible to a wide range of dog lovers.

  1. Utilize Social Media For Bite-Sized Tips

Harness the positive side of social media by sharing bite-sized training tips, including short videos or posts that provide quick insights into dog training. While it’s important that this work doesn’t take over your entire schedule, it can be a helpful way to share and democratize your expertise. Schedule these posts as part of your marketing strategy so you can ‘set and forget’ while you focus on other parts of your business.

  1. Collaborate With Your Community

Reach out to local community centers, libraries, or educational institutions to organize dog training workshops or seminars. Many people may not have access to formal dog training classes, but by partnering with community organizations, you can bring your expertise directly to them. Are wandering dogs a problem in your local neighborhood? Or tension in elevators and tight hallways? Your events can be tailored to address common issues in the community, fostering a sense of shared responsibility.

You could also explore partnerships with animal welfare organizations dedicated to community outreach. Many of these groups are eager to provide educational resources as part of their programs. By collaborating, you can contribute articles, provide advice, or share your knowledge through their channels, reaching dog lovers who may otherwise not have access to a professional dog trainer.

  1. Offer Services To Those Needing It Most

Consider setting aside a certain amount of time each month to offer subsidized or pro bono services to individuals or organizations in need. This could involve volunteering at animal shelters, providing free consultations to rescue organizations, or assisting community projects focused on dog behavior and training. By giving back to the community, you contribute to the welfare of dogs and build a positive reputation for your business.

  1. Establish a Mentorship Program

If you love supporting aspiring dog trainers or enthusiasts, consider developing a mentorship program. This program could involve periodic mentorship sessions, access to exclusive resources, and opportunities for hands-on experience. By nurturing the next generation of dog trainers, you contribute to the growth of the R+ community as a whole.

Giving back to the community and sharing your knowledge can take many forms, and it’s crucial to balance these options against your day-to-day business activities and costs. Done right, it can be an energizing and rewarding way to make dog training more accessible, as well as a great way to get your name out there. 

We’d love to hear about approaches you’ve discovered to bridge the training gap! Or if you’re seeking inspiration, our THRIVE! members are always impressing us with their innovative accessibility ideas.

Consulting Services from dog*biz with Sarah Hoth

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If you know which package you’d like, you may choose from the options below. If you’re not sure, we generally recommend starting with a single appointment to get a feel for the process and you and your consultant can explore what might be best for your goals. If you decide on a package, at the end of your one hour consult, we’ll roll that first appointment into the package you choose.

Please choose your 0ption:

$245 USD – one hour

$675 USD – 3 hour Package

$1050 USD – 5 hour Package

$1850 USD – 10 hour Package

Your Year, Wrapped: 5 Ways To End On A High

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As the holiday season begins, you may be thinking about how to end the year positively for your business. And let’s be honest – between wrangling your household, travel plans, and one too many servings of eggnog – it’s best to keep your business activities quick and easy. This time of year is also ideal for showing gratitude to your clients, particularly those you have loved working with. 

Here are 5 ways to finish strong, engage with clients, and promote your services during the holiday season:

  1. Send a greeting card or special newsletter

One of the simplest ways to thank your clients is to do just that! Send out a personalized holiday card or special edition newsletter to express your gratitude for their trust in your services. This is a great way to showcase your work and share some highlights from the year. It’s also an ideal opportunity to offer any holiday discounts as a thank you. For example, you could offer a percentage off for sessions booked during the holiday season or a buy-one-get-one-free deal for training packages or classes. You can also encourage clients to give the gift of training with holiday-themed gift certificates. 

  1. Celebrate client success

Dog training and behavior modification is not always easy – we all deserve a pat on the back for our hard work and dedication to our beloved dogs sometimes. As part of your end-of-year communication, and/or on social media, share those client success stories. Highlight what your clients and their dogs have achieved, and how they did it. This an uplifting way to show your training has impacted their lives while also acknowledging the work they’ve put in. Win-win!

  1. Theme your training

If you have classes coming up, why not theme them to the season? If you run a trick training class, you could focus on behaviors that are particularly adorable when guests come over (bring me a present from the tree, anyone?). If you work with nervous dogs or puppies, tips on managing holiday stress and visitors may be particularly helpful. For those agility enthusiasts, could you add some festive decorations to the course or end with a small gift for your canine attendees?

If you run private sessions, you can also help your clients with personalized training plans relevant to the season, such as dealing with holiday decorations, safety around food, or travel-related stress. Tailoring your services helps to set your clients up for success at a busy time of year.

  1. Theme your content

Create engaging and festive content for your social media platforms and newsletters. Share tips on keeping dogs safe during holiday festivities or demonstrate fun and seasonal training exercises. This not only promotes your work but also provides valuable information to potential and existing clients. Encourage engagement by running a holiday-themed social media contest – most people don’t need to be asked twice to show off pictures of their dog! Prizes could include discounts on training, a free class, access to some of your online content, or a product you recommend.

  1. Collaborate with another business 

Try the ultimate trifecta of networking, client appreciation, and business promotion. Partner with a local business to run a holiday promotion that you can share with clients. For example, you could partner with a pet photographer for some holiday-themed photoshoots or team up with a local pet store to offer some ‘trainer recommended’ product packages. If you’re keen to give back to the community, you could host a charity event, organize a dog food drive, or donate a percentage of your holiday sales to a local animal shelter. 

While you may just want to get to the finish line as the year ends, don’t underestimate those final opportunities to celebrate your year, thank your clients, and promote your business. A strong ending can also be the start of a strong new beginning.

Happy holidays!

And if want to give  yourself a gift for the holiday season, considering our group coaching program THRIVE!