Dogtech - Australia dog training franchise Sydney case study

Les Treuer is a diploma certified dog trainer, running one of Dogtech – Australia’s dog training franchises in Sydney.

Les chose franchising because he was looking for business with a proven track record and a company that would provide him with support while he learned the business.

Before he became a Dogtech Franchise operator, he worked as an electrician in the construction industry, and financed his Dogtech home based franchise with part of his personal savings.

He says that “the Dogtech initial training was excellent – I had no previous dog training experience, but John Richardson & the team at Dogtech International gave me the training I needed to be confident in training dogs, operating the marketing programs, and completing the simple administration procedures.”

The On-going training ensured that Les not only learned how to perform the various dog training parts of the pet care business – puppy schools, group adolescent classes, in-home behaviour training – but also how to present his services effectively to clients and how to value add by offering Whisper Wise doggy products to earn additional profits.

Dogtech also supports his business by sending him customer inquiries from the Dogtech website and from the 1-300 free call customer hot lines.

Les says that his greatest challenges were “learning the people skills necessary to communicate effectively with my prospective clients. Dogtech provided me excellent training in this area, and also encouraged me to join a local Toastmasters chapter in my area. Toastmasters not only improved my confidence and public speaking skills, but also resulted in me expanding my network of potential clients and supporters.”

Initially he also found it challenging to set up his own schedule as he was used to having work hours controlled by his boss. Now that Les has learned to be his own boss, he finds it very liberating.

“Becoming a Dogtech franchise owner has changed my life in many ways” Les says. “My lifestyle is much more relaxed and we have more family time together. I really enjoy being my own boss, and I find it very fulfilling to help my clients solve their doggy problems. I love being able to set my own hours – plus I actually work less and earn more than I did when I was in construction.”

He adds that the Dogtech training has also given him more confidence in all areas of his life.

Les has some advice to anyone thinking of buying their first franchise, in dog training or otherwise. “It is important to first look at the business system and be sure it is something you believe you will enjoy doing – remember, you have to go to work four or five days a week if you are to be successful, so you want to like what you are doing” he says.

“Then I think it is important to be comfortable with the management of the franchise company and confident you will receive the support you will need to get your business going. Of course you should be confident that if you work the business plans effectively that the income/profits will be what you need to achieve your goals in relation to the time & effort you are willing to commit.”

Les' plans for the future are to continue growing his business, to recruit two area specialists to assist him, and then consider buying another dog training franchise in another area.

Given the chance to do it all over again, Les confides that he actually wishes he had met John Richardson and learned about Dogtech sooner. “I really enjoy my life and Dogtech is a great business” he says.

Les Treuer’s Dogtech business profile can be found online, as can information on Dogtech - Australia ’s franchise business opportunities.