In-home dog trainer

Dog owners, especially new puppy owners, busy families and people with rescue dogs.

Charge per session or sell a package of 4 to 6 lessons. Add-ons like follow-up check-ins can lift the value of each client.

• Patience with animals and people
• Clear, friendly communication
• Understanding of dog behaviour and positive training methods

• Public liability insurance, ideally one that covers animal handling
• Check your local council rules on training dogs in parks and public spaces
• Dog bite risk: learn safe handling and consider a client waiver
• The industry is not tightly regulated, so check which training methods and qualifications clients trust
• Register for GST once turnover reaches the threshold

Startup costs are typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on your equipment, insurance and how much you spend on training and marketing. These are estimates, so build your own budget from real quotes before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically around $800 to $4,500, depending on how many clients you take on, your session prices and your hours. These are estimates only, and the plan assumes at least about 6 hours a week.

Check that you have public liability insurance, ideally covering animal handling, and look at your local council's rules on training dogs in parks and public spaces. Also consider dog bite risk and a client waiver, and register for GST once turnover reaches the threshold.