We’ve witnessed many dog trainers putting their heart and soul into launching and growing a business they love. It’s a big part of why we exist – we relish seeing talented R+ trainers forging dream careers and helping dogs and people. It’s a huge achievement when you start working with dogs every day and being your own boss. It’s also why it’s so important to celebrate key milestones, and take time out to assess and reflect on how your business is going. Is your dog training business allowing you to live your best life? Or is the daily grind taking its toll? A business that isn’t quite hitting the mark can be draining – financially and emotionally.
Here are five questions to make sure your dog training business is firing on all cylinders and bringing you joy:
- Am I earning enough to live the lifestyle I want?
While passion is crucial, your dog training business ultimately needs to provide reliable income to support your life. Are you earning enough to achieve your financial goals? Do you have a strong sense of what those goals are? Whether starting or growing your business, do you have enough saved for any shortfalls? If you are consistently struggling in this area, it may be time to raise rates, adjust your services, or re-examine your expenses to cut costs. Asking this question regularly (we recommend quarterly), allows you to spot trends early and steer your business ship in the right direction.
- Do I have a healthy work-life balance?
If you’ve given up that 9-5 life for muddy boots and late night puzzling over your latest aggression case, controlling your own schedule can be a welcome perk. Many trainers, particularly those from rigid working backgrounds, love the freedom running a business provides. In an ideal world, you can pick those hours and grab that downtime when you need it. Yet this flexibility has a dark side – you also have to tell yourself when to stop, and it isn’t always easy! If you’re constantly overworked and stressed, something needs to change. You may need to establish clearer boundaries, block out time for yourself, and add more buffers between appointments to reduce rushing. Consider tools you can leverage to streamline tasks, such as online scheduling and automated emails. A healthy business should allow you to unplug, recharge, and nurture a rich life outside of work.
- Am I providing an outstanding client experience?
Happy clients create happy dog trainers. When clients feel valued, understood, and delighted by the service you provide, it creates a positive feedback loop. Warm fuzzies all round! It also builds a connection that’s beyond transactional, which tends to lead to better outcomes for dogs. Committed humans who love working with you are more likely to put the work in, and come back for more. Are you wowing your clients or is there room for improvement? Great client experiences generally start with truly understanding the needs, concerns, and goals of each individual. Your patience, clarity, and cheer squad abilities are key, as are your organizational skills. You know you’re crushing it when clients look forward to sessions, stay motivated, and refer others to you. Not every client will be a walk in the park, but the more success you find in this area the happier you are likely to be in your work.
- Am I still deeply connected to my “why”?
What inspired you to take the leap into dog training? If you’re lying awake at night questioning why you are doing this work, tune in. In the busy day-to-day of running your business, it’s easy to lose touch with your original motivation for becoming a dog trainer. It might simply be a rough patch, but it could also be a sign you aren’t as fulfilled as you’d like to be – or more importantly, could be. Your why isn’t stagnant either. You might have started out focusing on raising resilient puppies, but are increasingly drawn to those tricky aggression cases. Which of your services make you feel most energized? Are there particular clients you can’t wait to show up for? Or ones you secretly hope might cancel that day? Sometimes reigniting your purpose means letting go of the things that aren’t working for you, and zeroing in on those that do.
- Am I still passionate about developing my skills?
Continuing to develop your training and business skills is not just a professional need; it’s also a good indicator that you’re invested in your business. Does your inner dog geek still get excited by workshops, courses, events, or a passionate chat over coffee with a fellow trainer? A commitment to ongoing learning, both from a training and business perspective, reflects your dedication to provide the best for your clients. It also keeps your work fresh and exciting. When you find yourself enthusiastically trying out new techniques or growing your business, it’s a good sign that your passion is still very much alive.
If you find yourself pausing at any of these questions, it’s the perfect opportunity to reflect on your business goals and satisfaction levels. This will help keep your “north star” in sight, and run a dream dog training business that lets you live your dream life.
If you could use some guidance while grappling with these questions, we’d love to see you at our FREE Launch and Grow workshops!