Own a Dog Training Franchise

What start-up expenses can I expect?

This depends on the pet business opportunities you implement: completing training at a client’s home and/or conducting training at your own facility. Either way, you will need to attend our 3-week training course in Las Vegas. The initial franchise fee is $17,500 (not including the cost of travel to and from Las Vegas, food, or incidentals).

Once you complete training, you’ll be equipped to start your pet business offering professional dog training services through your own dog training business. Dog Training equipment for your initial Sit Means Sit training is included. But budget $1,500 for equipment and supplies to get started — you’ll need a variety of supplies including: goods for resale, affiliate program kits, and branded apparel among many others.

Many SMS franchise owners start by doing all dog training at a client’s premise or in a public venue like a public park. Other than the expenses associated with a home office, this business model lets you minimize out-of-pocket expenses and some on-going overhead expenses. There are advantages to operating from a commercial facility. Visibility is a marketing advantage. It signals stability and a higher level of professionalism. Business affairs are not interrupted as they can be in a home office so your efficiency tends to be greater when working out of a commercial facility.

If you rent a facility, you’ll have deposits with your landlord and utility providers. You’ll need office equipment and supplies, extra business permits, and more. These launch costs mount up and is what motivates most SMS franchisee to start with a home office and “grow” into a commercial structure when it enables the pet business to reach the “next stage” of development. But you may have no choice, as your home may not be zoned so you can operate a dog training operation there, mandating the use of a commercial facility.

Ballpark, what’s my buy-in expense for a license?

The typical Trade Area (territory) is $17,500 investment for a one-time license fee (owner training, products, and equipment is an additional launch cost; see Capital Commitment section for information on start-up expenses).

Do I need a minimum net worth to be licensed by SMS?

Yes, at least $50,000 USD plus liquidity of $20,000 USD.

What do you expect I would gross my first year?

That’s impossible to forecast without knowing your professional abilities, your intended market, your business plan, your work ethic, your sales ability, your exit strategy, your experience, your staffing plan, your business model, and much more. Everyone has a financial litmus test of what they consider to be satisfactory in terms of gross sales for a business. In fact they seek out pet business opportunities they see as pulling in “X” dollars in the first year and “Y” dollars annually in the future years. Realize, too, it’s what you net, not what you gross in sales that matters in the final analysis. The margins for dog training and behavior training are above average, whether you operate out of your home or a commercial center. Overhead is manageable since your revenue is generated from your time with a client and their dog. You can expect to gross $450-1600 from a client when you train dogs at the client’s home. Training is an hour per session with any number of sessions per client. Some owners individually do five or more sessions and work six days a week on average (more if you are adroit in sales, add staff, etc.).

After your initial 3-week training in Las Vegas, you’ll find additional support is available to you from Sit Means Sit Corporate as you launch and manage your franchise. However, Sit Means Sit Corporate will not take it to the point of being invasive nor having us play the role of an “armchair” quarterback to your business opportunities.

Remember Franchise Owners can repeat basic training Offered bi-annually without any additional tuition fee (though travel and living expenses associated with training are your sole responsibility).

Sit Means Sit also holds an annual conference for all Franchise owners. The 3-day agenda includes discussion of marketing, product enhancements, pricing, and business opportunities that impact operations of a franchise.

We have a private Facebook forum that allows daily dialog discussing everything from new ways locations are getting business, to how to handle a difficult client. This group is busy all day, every day and is an incredible resource for questions and answers from like-minded folks out there doing exactly what you are doing.
Our FWG (Franchise Working Group) host teleconferences with a new topic announced via e-mail prior to the call. There is playback available.

CEO Fred Hassen will visit your operation anytime you request for on-site consulting with no fee (only his travel expenses would be your obligation). He is always available via phone and e-mail to answer your questions.

Sit Means Sit Corporate staff are also available via phone and e-mail.

There is an Owners Portal section at sitmeanssit.com that has pertinent information regarding corporate policy, and important updates. This section includes our SMS Franchise Manual, that is continually expanding in content, detail, and proven information.

1. ‘Refunding their money at that time would, in essence, have given them a free education’.
2. Have you ever had to refund anyone?
3. Couldn’t they go out and try to then just start a business on their own?
4. Are you willing to put that in writing?

The answer to all of these questions is ‘Yes!’.

Why do we have such simple, pervasive guarantee and put it in writing?

Our dog training franchise school wants the right type of business minded individual, with the right type of ethics, work habit, people skills, and a desire to pay attention and learn a proven system like ours.

Of course the people have been previously screened, been through their due diligence, and have put their best face forward during this process. With that being said, sometimes we have to make the decision that it is still not the right fit in some cases.

We have a reputation to protect. If the fit is not right, we continue our search for another individual for that area.

We know our business very well and we feel strongly that if we feel the need to give the refund, the chances are very strong that the individual will not have what it takes, nor the support to be successful with their pet business opportunity. It would be unjust to take money for an education that they won’t be able to use. We’ve been right every time.