| With people today valuing their dogs as members | | | | experience-from the moment they walk into your |
| of the family more than ever before, opening a | | | | business' door. |
| dog day care business is a lucrative opportunity | | | | As for the dogs, they need to feel safe and |
| for a dog lover with a little business sense. To be | | | | comfortable. They also need opportunities to |
| a successful operator of a dog day care, you | | | | socialize and play with the other dogs at the day |
| need to target the right clientele, maintain a facility | | | | care, as well as opportunities to be alone if they |
| that appeals to both dogs and their people, and | | | | prefer. A well-fenced and sheltered yard full of |
| offer special services that keep clients returning | | | | play opportunities, including places where dogs can |
| to your dog day care rather. | | | | dig, is a necessity to give dogs a good socialization |
| People who bring their dogs to day care usually | | | | experience. However, you also need multiple |
| fall into one of two camps: Those who busy | | | | indoor runs so you can separate groups of |
| during the day and wants to make sure their | | | | dogs-especially if your business becomes large. |
| dogs are stimulated throughout the day and those | | | | This way, you can let out small groups of dogs |
| who travel and want to board their dog for | | | | throughout the day and they'll never get out of |
| overnight stays-or longer. When you plan a dog | | | | control. Indoor runs also help you separate dogs |
| day care business, it's most profitable to specialize | | | | from each other, should there be spats. |
| in targeting clients who want their dogs to come | | | | Consider, too, how you'll set yourself apart from |
| back to your facility on a daily or at least weekly | | | | the competition. You can focus on meeting the |
| basis. These clients are the ones who will provide | | | | special needs of dogs, such as offering orthopedic |
| a reliable income stream if you keep their dogs | | | | beds for senior dogs or helping recovering dogs |
| happy and engaged. Offering overnight boarding is | | | | with physical therapy. Alternately, furnishing |
| an added bonus for your clients, but this can take | | | | individual kennels in unique ways can make people |
| additional staffing and more extensive facilities | | | | feel better about leaving their dogs with you. |
| than a day care that operates only during the | | | | Another idea is to provide additional services like |
| day. | | | | training, grooming or massage for the dogs who |
| Once you determine your clientele, you can design | | | | stay at your day care. Focus on what you would |
| your dog care business facilities. You'll need to | | | | want for your own dog to decide your direction. |
| think about the needs of the people and the | | | | If you're a dog lover, you'll find that a dog day |
| needs of the dogs. People need to feel like you're | | | | care business provides a way for you to make a |
| offering not just a safe and clean facility for their | | | | living doing what you enjoy. |
| dogs, but like you're giving their dogs a fun play | | | | |