Franchise Information
Capital Commitment
Once you complete training, you will be skilled and equipped to begin your business. All necessary equipment for your initial training in Las Vegas is provided. The initial fee is $17,500. To become a dog trainer you will need to budget $1,500 for additional equipment and supplies to become a professional dog trainer. The various necessary additional equipment can include: goods for resale such as collars, leashes, muzzles, etc; starter kits for affiliate programs; and various other business management tools.
Your initial fee includes your Franchise fee, Sit Means Sit (SMS) certification training including ongoing education and support via conference calls, internet and phone; our National Trainers Tour featuring Regional Seminars with no tuition fees.*
Overhead Costs
The flexibility of the Sit Means Sit business model allows for a variety of levels of overhead cost. From a bare-bones mobile business operating lessons and appointments in the client’s home to a developed multi-person operation housed in a facility. Other than the expenses associated with a home office, this business model allows you to minimize out-of pocket expenses as well as curb some on-going overhead expenses.
In the case of a home based office you must heed to all the zoning laws in your area. In the event that you are required to conduct your business dealings in a commercial area, you may also consider the option of having a training facility. There are benefits of having a facility such as a climate controlled training area, centrally located and less travel time. Naturally there is the overhead involved in operating a franchise training facility. We have examples of both business models in operation, with the majority being mobile business models.
*There is a minor operational event fee of less than a couple hundred dollars. All SMS training and events do not include the cost of travel to and from the training, meals, or incidentals.
Dog Trainer Revenue Streams
As you evaluate this franchise opportunity, it’s likely you will create a spreadsheet to forecast expenses and revenues for your Sit Means Sit franchise.
On the revenue side, you have three streams of income to forecast:
- Obedience training fees from consumers
a) for those locations that are zoned appropriately, board and train packages are a steady staple of income. - Sit Means Sit collar sales
- Product sales (inventory from our online store) SMS owners buy all products at wholesale prices, allowing significant profit from resale (see local tax officials to see if you need a sales tax license for such sales).
A price sheet will be included in your new owner packet.
In addition to the above revenue streams, Sit Means Sit is continually working to expand your income potential through partnerships with like-minded companies. The affiliate program offered through Sit Means Sit allows for supplemental income through passive income streams. Your bottom line is increased through minimal effort on your part.
Dog Training Curriculum and Certification
With proper professional training and education, any breed of dog can be trained using the revolutionary Sit Means Sit training methods.
Pet dogs, puppy training, hunting dogs, police canine training, competitive dog training, blind service dog, even dogs with special challenges (blind or deaf) can be training by Sit Means Sit. Even those classes of dog handlers that are somewhat physically challenged find tremendous success with Sit Means Sit.
As you become a certified dog trainer, you’ll learn how to correct bad types of behavior covering common things such as (but not limited to):
- Biting
- Barking
- Jumping on guests
- Housebreaking
- As well as normal obedience manners
You name it; we have the ability to modify nuisance or unsafe behaviors in all dogs.
Our secret to our success is the complete combination package. Our safe, time tested and proven training regime, along with our specifically designed packages, and lifetime guaranteed, Sit Means Sit training collar. Those who become certified dog trainers will learn and master all techniques described above.
Hiring a Dog Training Staff
There are few decisions entrepreneurs face as important as adding staff. It may happen before you plan for it. As your business grows and you become busier, you’ll need to bring people into the business to assist you. Having the help from those who have become a certified dog trainer will be essential to continued growth. Not having an effective support staff could affect the quality of the service and experience you deliver to your clients. You need help with sales, scheduling or managing the flow of paperwork. You could use an office manager, training assistant or perhaps become a certified dog trainer working with you full-time.
Obviously there are consequences when you add trainers and staff to the payroll.
Profits dip short-term, for instance. You’re exposed to greater liability, too. If you’re in a competitive labor market, you may have to provide some level of health benefits in order to recruit candidates or keep them on staff.
Don’t underestimate the expense either. Typically, add 20 to 35% to the direct payroll cost (to cover worker’s compensation insurance, unemployment insurance, social security and other costs out of your pocket).
Key decisions relative to hiring staff include:
- Adding staff offers a boost in productivity to the point of increased revenue exceeding the increase in overhead
- The business will be more efficient with extra hands at work
- Customer service levels would improve
- Outbound telemarketing by a new staffer(s) would increase sales
- Profits could increase through accounting staff