How to Run a Dog Business: Putting Your Career Where Your Heart Is

Learn how to run the business end of the leash

The demand for skilled dog trainers, dog walkers, pet sitters, and dog daycare and boarding operators has never been greater. But, to succeed in these fields, you'll need more than dog expertise you'll need business savvy as well.

Veronica Boutelle, the industry's top consultant, writes for the non-business savvy dog pro, sharing the detailed information you need to start, operate, and prosper in the dog world in clear, easy-to-read language. This second edition, incorporating Veronica's ten years of experience helping dog pros succeed, included additional advice on packaging services, setting policies, and avoiding burnout, an expanded marketing chapter and resources section, and two entirely new chapters covering online marketing and developing the perfect staff.

Learn how to:
Analyze your market, set prices, and market your services.
Determine what licenses, insurance, and professional affiliations you need.
Create systems to streamline your business and avoid burnout.
Establish sound business practices to make your business run smoothly, keep you profitable, and balance your work and private life.

Other dog professionals praise How to Run a Dog Business
Invaluable practicalities, counsel, structure, and support.
Jean Donaldson, author of Culture Clash and Director of The Academy for Dog Trainers

An extraordinarily valuable book. Veronica gives great advice to trainers and would-be trainers. My advice is to read this book!
Trish King, author of Parenting Your Dog and Director of Canine Behavior Associates

Veronica's book will save you lots of time and headaches. It is on the required reading list for my own instructor's courses.
Terry Ryan, author of Coaching People to Train Their Dogs and Outwitting Dogs and Director of Legacy Canine

The resource for dog pro entrepreneurs. Veronica has thought of everything. If you are a dog professional or wan to be one, you need this book!
Donna Duford, author of Agility Tricks and Board Member for Give a Dog a Bone

What reviewers are saying...

THE MIDWEST BOOK REVIEWHow to Run a Dog Business Putting Your Career Where Your Heart Is appears in its second edition and comes from an industry consultant who here provides a fine survey of dogs, dog behavior and business pursuits. It reflects an update to a book produced six years ago and reflects ten years of experience helping dog businesses and their owners make the most of their pursuits. Most dog trainers hold the position as a second career. Some love dogs, some fell into the business. There are relatively few jobs working with dogs, so there's a higher level of entrepreneurs in this area many of whom have never run a business before. This focus on the business end covers all the basics from analyzing the market and understanding professional requirements to incorporating solid business practices and should ideally be consulted before any endeavor is formed. James A. Cox, Editor in Chief

Author Veronica Boutelle, MA, CTC the President of dog*tec, the dog pro industry's leading business consultancy, through which she has been helping dog professionals create their dream businesses since 2003. Veronica is a sought-after speaker at conferences and seminars across the country and internationally. She is the author of The Business of Dog Walking and co-author of Minding Your Dog Business.