As a dog trainer, you know that finding clients is essential to your success. So, how can you attract new customers and book more appointments? In this article, we will reveal how to get clients as a dog trainer in 25 innovative ways!
Plus, we’ll also answer some commonly asked questions about the dog training industry. This way, you have a better understanding of what it entails. So, let’s get started, shall we?
WAIT! Before we begin, did you know that we’ve put together the ULTIMATE guide on how to become a dog trainer? It’s true – and you can read it here!
What Qualities Make a Good Dog Trainer?
Patience, creativity, and the ability to think outside the box are essential qualities for any good dog trainer. After all, you’re dealing with animals – and they can be unpredictable!
You must also be able to adapt to each individual dog’s needs. No two dogs are alike, so it’s important that you tailor your training methods accordingly. Finally, having a passion for dogs is non-negotiable! If you don’t love them, this probably isn’t the career for you.
Is It Worth Getting a Professional Dog Trainer?
This is a question that nearly all of your clients will think at one point or another before reaching out to you. And, it’s a valid question!
After all, there are a lot of “how to train your dog at home” guides out there. So, why should they invest in professional help? Is it even worth it in the first place?
Well, the answer is simple: YES! And here’s why – you’re the expert. If you’re serious about dog training as a career, then we assume you’ve put in the time and effort to get properly trained and certified.
As such, you have invaluable experience and industry-level knowledge under your belt. Not to mention, you’re actually qualified to do the job! This gives you an edge that the average person just doesn’t have.
Plus, when clients work with a professional dog trainer, they can be sure that their dog is getting the best possible care. Training experts understand dogs better than anyone – and they know how to get results quickly and effectively.
At the end of the day, it’s up to the client whether or not they want to hire a professional dog trainer. But, we think it’s worth it… And after sitting down with you and hearing the endless advantages, we’re sure they will, too!
Where Do Dog Trainers Get Paid The Most?
This is a great question – and one that we get asked a lot!
But the truth is, there’s no definitive answer. It really depends on your experience level, geographical location, and the types of services you offer. For instance, dog trainers who provide private lessons tend to make more money than those who only offer group classes.
Similarly, dog trainers who work in large cities usually make more money than those in smaller towns or rural areas. This is because there’s simply more demand for their services!
Of course, as with any career, the amount you get paid also depends on your experience level. A new dog trainer just starting out will likely make less than an experienced professional with an established clientele.
That being said, the dog training industry is growing rapidly. So, there’s definitely potential to make good money – especially if you’re willing to put in the work!
How Do I Grow My Dog Training Business?
There are a few key things you can do to grow your dog training business. First, focus on providing top-notch customer service. This includes being prompt, professional, and courteous at all times – both in person and online.
Make sure you’re always going above and beyond for your clients. After all, they’re entrusting you with their beloved furry friend! If they’re happy with the service they receive, they’ll be much more likely to refer you to others.
Next, focus on marketing yourself effectively. This means creating a strong online presence and using social media to your advantage. Share useful tips and insights related to dog training on your blog or website – this will help attract new readers (and potential clients) to your site.
Finally, don’t forget the power of word-of-mouth marketing! Ask your current clients to leave reviews on popular review sites like Google and Yelp. And, if they’re happy with your services, encourage them to tell their friends and family about you.
How Do I Sell My Dog Training Classes?
Alright, now that we’ve answered some common questions about the dog training industry, it’s time to get down to business! Because we know the real reason why you’re here is that you want to know how to actually attract clients and successfully sell your services to them.
So, here are 25 ways to get clients as a dog trainer…
How to Get Clients as a Dog Groomer in 25 Ways
1. Get Professionally Trained and Certified as a Dog Trainer
If you want to be taken seriously as a dog trainer, you need to get properly trained and certified. This will give you the industry-level knowledge and experience that clients are looking for. Plus, it’ll help you stand out from the competition.
There are a number of ways to get trained and certified as a dog trainer. You can attend workshops, take online courses, or even get a degree in animal behavior. Whichever route you choose, make sure you’re getting qualified by an accredited organization.
This will show potential clients that you’re serious about your career – and that you have the skills to back up your claims!
Did you know that QC Pet Studies offers a self-paced, online Dog Training Course? Discover how YOU can become an International Dog Training Professional™ (IDTP™) in 2022!
2. Make Sure You Have a Strong Business Brand
Creating a strong business brand is essential for any dog trainer looking to attract clients. Your brand should be professional, unique, and memorable. It should also reflect the values that you want your business to be known for.
For instance, if you’re focused on providing high-quality services, make sure your branding reflects that! Use clean lines and simple colors in your logo and website design. Moreover, make sure your copy is clear, concise, and error-free.
Your branding should also be consistent across all of your marketing materials – from your business cards to your social media accounts. This will help create a cohesive look that potential clients will remember.
3. Put Together a Killer Dog Training Portfolio
If you want to attract clients, you need to show them what you’re capable of! And the best way to do that is by putting together a dog training portfolio.
Your portfolio should showcase your skills and highlight your experience. It should also feature before-and-after photos of dogs that you’ve trained. This will help potential clients see the transformation that’s possible with your help.
4. Create a Website for Your Dog Trainer Business
Having a professional website is essential for any dog trainer looking to attract clients. Your website should be easy to navigate and full of helpful information about your services.
It should also feature high-quality photos and videos from your portfolio. This will help give potential clients a sense of what you’re all about. Furthermore, make sure your site is mobile-friendly! More and more people are using their phones to search for businesses online, so you want to make sure they can easily find you.
Here are a few other things to keep in mind when creating your website:
- Use keyword-rich titles and descriptions to help potential clients find your site.
- Include an ‘About Me’ section so people can get to know you.
- Include testimonials from past clients to show off your successes.
- Make it easy for potential clients to contact you (i.e. include your email address and phone number on every webpage).
- Use social media buttons to connect your website with your online following.
- Offer free resources – like eBooks and PDFs – to show potential clients that you’re an expert in your field.
- Provide an option for online booking.
Never built your own website before? No problem! This article by WebsiteBuilderExpert will break down everything you need to know!
5. Establish Yourself on Social Media
In today’s digital age, it’s essential for businesses to have a strong presence on social media. This is especially true for dog trainers, who can use social media to reach a wider audience of potential clients.
Tips for Maximizing Social Media
When creating your social media accounts, make sure you’re using consistent branding across all platforms. This will help create a cohesive look that potential clients will remember.
Next, once you have your accounts set up, start posting engaging, original content on a regular basis. This could include photos and videos of dogs you’ve trained, tips and tricks for dog owners, and/or behind-the-scenes footage of your training sessions.
You should also make sure to interact with other users regularly. Like and comment on other dog trainers’ posts, and join relevant online communities. This will help you build a network of potential clients – and referrals!
Finally, don’t forget to promote your website on your social media accounts! Include links back to your site in your bio, and make sure to post regular updates about your services. This will help direct the traffic you get on social media to your actual website… Which, in turn, can increase your bookings!
6. Offer Free Training Consultations to Friends and Family
Do you know anyone who’s thinking about getting a dog? Offer to do a free training consultation with them! This is a great way to get your foot in the door, get some real-world experience under your belt, and increase the odds of you being referred to paying clients.
7. Learn About SEO…
…And how you can use it to get clients as a dog trainer!
Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of optimizing your website for Google’s search algorithm. Basically, it’s a way to make sure your site appears as high up as possible on the list of results when someone searches for keywords related to your business.
And while SEO can be complicated, there are some simple things you can do to get started. For example, including relevant keywords in your website content will help Google understand what your site is all about. This, in turn, can improve your chances of appearing in relevant search results.
Another easy way to improve your SEO is by creating backlinks – that is, links from other websites back to yours. This helps Google understand that your site is popular and relevant, which can also improve your ranking.
There are a number of other SEO techniques you can use to get clients as a dog trainer. But these are just a few of the basics! For more tips, check out this helpful guide from Moz.
Ultimately, SEO may seem like a lot of work… But it’s worth it when you start seeing an influx of new clients!
8. Offer a Variety of Dog Training Service Packages
One way to make your dog training business more attractive to potential clients is by offering a variety of service packages. This way, they can choose the option that best fits their needs – and budget.
Some ideas for service packages you could offer include packages for:
- Puppy owners who want help with potty training and basic obedience commands
- Adult dog owners who want help with behavior modification
- Seniors or people with disabilities who need assistance with dog walking or pet care
Of course, these are just a few examples. You can tailor your service packages to fit the needs of your target market! By offering different options, you’re more likely to find clients who are willing (and able) to pay for your services. And that’s always a good thing!
9. Provide Specialty Training Services
Another way to set yourself apart from other dog trainers is by offering specialty training services. This could include anything from agility training and flyball to obedience competitions and search and rescue.
By providing these types of services, you’ll be able to attract clients who are looking for something beyond the basics. And if you’re able to establish yourself as an expert in your field, you’ll be more likely to get referrals from other trainers – or even veterinarians!
So, if you’re looking for ways to stand out from the competition, consider offering some specialty training services. It could be just what you need to get ahead!
10. Know Your Target Market
When it comes to finding clients as a dog trainer, one of the most important things you can do is to know your target market. That is, who are you trying to attract with your business?
Are you looking to train puppies? Or adult dogs? Or both?
Do you want to work with families? Seniors? People with disabilities?
By understanding your target market, you’ll be able to more effectively market your services. And that means you’ll be more likely to find – and book – clients!
Thus, take some time to think about who you want to work with. Once you have a good understanding of your target market, you’ll be well on your way to finding clients as a dog trainer.
11. Invest in Paid Advertisements
Another great way to find clients as a dog trainer is by investing in paid advertisements. This could include anything from Google Ads to Facebook Ads to print ads in local publications.
Paid advertisements are a great way to reach new people – and they can be very effective if done correctly. However, it’s important to keep in mind that they can also be quite costly. So, if you’re going to invest in paid ads, be sure to do your research first!
If you’ve never created paid ads before, this helpful blog post by Hotmart breaks down a ton of awesome tips for paid advertising on a budget!
12. Get Involved in The Community
One of the best ways to find clients as a dog trainer is by getting involved in the community. This could involve anything from volunteering at local shelters or rescue groups to participating in canine events or fundraisers.
By getting involved in the community, you’ll be able to meet new people – and show them what you’re all about. Plus, that could lead to some great opportunities for finding new clients!
13. Sponsor a Local Event
Another great way to get involved in the community – and find new clients as a dog trainer – is by sponsoring a local event. This could be anything from a dog show to an agility competition to a fundraiser walk/run.
Sponsoring an event is a great way to get your business name out there. And if you choose an event that’s related to your services, you’ll be more likely to attract people who are interested in what you have to offer!
14. Get Veterinarian Referrals
If you want to find clients as a dog trainer, one of the best places to start is with veterinarian referrals. After all, they’re the ones who are most likely to have clients who need your services!
So, how do you go about getting referrals from veterinarians?
Well, one way is to simply ask them! If you have a good relationship with your local vet (or vets), let them know that you’re available to train their clients’ dogs. They may not always need your services, but it’s worth asking!
Another way to get referrals from veterinarians is by participating in continuing education courses. Many times, these courses are offered through veterinary hospitals or clinics. And by taking part in these courses, you’ll not only be able to learn more about your craft – you’ll also be able to network with other professionals in the industry.
15. Partner With a Pet Store
If you want to find clients as a dog trainer, partnering with a pet store can be a great way to do it! By partnering with a pet store, you’ll be able to reach new people who may not have heard of your business before. Plus, you’ll be able to offer your services in a convenient location for potential clients.
16. Do Some Serious Networking
If you want to find clients as a dog trainer, networking is key. After all, it’s all about who you know!
So, how do you go about networking?
Well, one way is to simply reach out to your network of friends, family, and acquaintances. Let them know that you’re available to train their dogs – or the dogs of people they know. You can also join all sorts of online dog communities, where you may find all sorts of pup parents in need of a professional trainer.
Another great way to network is by attending canine events and meetups, as well as industry conferences and trade shows. This is a great way to meet other dog trainers – and potential clients! – in your area. And don’t forget about making connections with other, similar professions in the dog industry, such as groomers.
17. Offer Complementary Services
Speaking of dog groomers, why not get trained and certified as a groomer yourself and add it to your dog training business?
By offering complementary services, you’ll be able to reach new potential clients who may not have considered dog training before. Plus, it’s a great way to add value to your existing services! You’ll not only be able to add an additional stream of income to your company – you may even be able to slightly raise the rates for your training services, too!
Interested in becoming an International Dog Grooming Professional™ (IDGP™)? Learn all about QC Pet Studies’ online Dog Grooming Course and enroll today!
18. Give Demonstrations
Giving demonstrations is another great way to find clients as a dog trainer. This could involve giving a presentation at a local school or library, or even setting up a booth at a pet-friendly event.
Demonstrations are a great way to show potential clients what you’re all about – and how you can help their dogs! Plus, they’ll also get to see your dogs in action, which is always impressive.
19. Host Dog Training Seminars/Workshops
If you want to find clients as a dog trainer, one great way to do it is by hosting seminars or workshops. Dog training seminars and workshops are a great way to reach new potential clients – and they’re also a great way to show off your expertise!
Additionally, another option is to offer dog training classes out of your own business. This way, interested clients can follow your personalized curriculum and become dog trainers themselves! Just be aware that this option may require some additional investment, in terms of time and money.
You’ll also want to do a little research first to make sure that you have all of your angles covered legally. Any course you teach and provide any type of certificate/certification for should be properly accredited first, and follow the rules of your city/State.
20. Get Involved With Local Rescue Groups
If you’re passionate about finding homes for dogs in need, getting involved with local rescue groups can be a great way to find clients as a dog trainer.
Many times, these groups are always in need of volunteers – and dog trainers! – to help socialize and train the dogs in their care. Not only will you be helping out a great cause – you may also find your next client (or several) through these groups as well.
21. Get Listed on Online Directories
In today’s day and age, it’s important to have an online presence if you want to find clients as a dog trainer. One great way to do this is by getting listed on online directories, such as Yelp or Google My Business. This will help potential clients find you when they’re searching for dog trainers in their area.
It’s important to make sure that your listings are accurate and up-to-date, and that you have plenty of positive reviews. This will help you stand out from the competition and attract new clients!
22. Get Listed on Google Maps
One of the best ways to make sure potential clients can find you is by getting listed on Google Maps. This will help ensure that your business comes up when people are searching for dog trainers in your area.
It’s important to make sure that your listing is accurate and up-to-date, and that you have plenty of positive reviews. This will help you stand out from the competition and attract new clients!
23. Teach Group Classes
Another great way to find clients as a dog trainer is by teaching group classes. This could include anything from obedience classes to puppy socialization classes – and everything in between! Not only will teaching group classes help you reach new potential clients, but it’s also a great way to show off your expertise.
Plus, it’s a great way to socialize your own dogs!
24. Create an Email Campaign
If you want to find clients as a dog trainer, one great way to do it is by creating an email campaign. This could involve sending out a monthly newsletter, or even just sending out updates and special offers to your current clientele.
Email campaigns are a great way to stay in touch with your current clients – and reach new ones! Just be sure to create quality content that will appeal to your target audience.
If you’re new to this sort of thing, this article by OptinMonster provides a wonderful step-by-step breakdown on how to run a successful email marketing campaign!
25. Offer Virtual Dog Training Classes, In Addition to In-Person Ones
Finally, another efficient way to find clients as a dog trainer is by offering virtual dog training classes. This could involve anything from webinars to Skype sessions – and everything in between!
Offering virtual dog training classes is a great way to reach potential clients who might not be able to attend your in-person classes. It’s also a great way to show off your expertise! Plus, this will allow you to expand your client reach on a global scale… Which means a LOT more money in your pocket!
Conclusion
There you have it – 25 business-savvy ways to find, attract, and book clients as a dog trainer.
Remember: the most important thing is to stay consistent with your marketing efforts, and always be willing to put in the extra work. The payoffs will be more than worth it in the end!
Do YOU have any other tips on how to get clients as a dog trainer? If so, we’d love to hear them! Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. And be sure to share this article with any fellow dog trainers who might need some help finding clients!
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