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By Brianna Dick
Alright, dog trainers, let's be real for a minute. You got into this business because you love working with dogs—not because you dreamed of being glued to your computer, drowning in admin work, right? You wanted to help people and their pups, but somehow, you're spending more time scheduling, emailing, and chasing invoices than you are training.
I see you. I feel you. And trust me, we’re going to fix this, so you can get back to doing what lights you up: training dogs and being the amazing dog professional you are.
So, let’s dig into the top strategies to get your time back, streamline your admin, and actually enjoy running your business again. And yeah, I’ll throw in a few laughs along the way because let’s face it—dog trainers are way more fun than any boring office job.
1. Automation is Your New Best Friend (Sorry, Dogs)
I know, I know—when you hear “automation,” your eyes glaze over and you picture yourself knee-deep in tech stuff you don’t care about. But hear me out! Automation is like that quiet, reliable dog in class who just does the right thing without needing you to say it. You set it, forget it, and it does the work for you.
Scheduling Software: Stop playing email ping-pong trying to schedule clients. Use tools like Busypaws or Gingr to let clients book their own sessions. You set your availability, they choose a time, and boom—you’re free to train, walk, or, I don't know, take a nap for once!
Invoicing Automation: Hate sending reminders to clients about unpaid invoices? Same. That’s why invoicing software like QuickBooks or one within your CRM is a total game-changer. Set up automatic reminders and let the software be the bad guy when payments are late. Trust me, your stress levels will thank you.
Pro Tip: Your business can run more smoothly with just a few automations in place. You don’t have to do everything, but start small. Even automating one thing will feel like you’re winning the time lottery.
2. Outsource Like a Boss
Look, you’re a pro at dog training, but maybe admin work isn’t your thing (and that’s okay!). You don’t need to be a one-person show. If you’re struggling to keep up with emails, scheduling, social media, or website maintenance, it might be time to outsource.
Virtual Assistant (VA): Hire a VA for a few hours a week to handle the boring stuff. They can manage your inbox, schedule appointments, and help you with social media. You’re basically getting extra hands without taking on a full-time employee.
Pro Tip: Outsourcing doesn’t mean you’re failing or can’t handle it all—it means you’re smart enough to know where your time is best spent. Let others take the load off while you focus on scaling your business.
No sure how to get this stuff done? Let's work together 1-1 so I can start this process for you!
3. Say No to Things That Don’t Serve You
Here’s a hot take: You don’t have to say yes to every opportunity. That endless list of clients who only want a quick fix or who ghost you after the first session? It’s time to let them go. You need to start saying “no” to things that drain your energy and don’t align with the business you’re trying to build.
Qualify Your Clients: Set clear expectations from the start and don’t be afraid to turn away clients who aren’t a good fit. Whether it's someone looking for a miracle with their highly reactive dog after one session, or a client who consistently cancels last minute, it’s okay to say, “This isn’t working for me.”
Raise Your Rates: Let’s talk money, honey. If you’re undercharging, you’re undervaluing yourself—and overworking in the process. If you feel resentful every time you take on a new client, that’s a sign it’s time to raise those prices. Clients who value your expertise will stick around. The rest? Well, maybe they weren’t the best fit anyway.
Pro Tip: Protect your time and energy like that dog who resource guards their favorite squeaky toy. You deserve to work with clients who respect you, your business, and the time you’re putting in.
4. Get Your Systems in Place (Without Losing Your Mind)
Look, I’m not saying you need to have a bulletproof system for everything, but a little bit of structure can save you hours of headache. Having a client onboarding process, standard responses for common questions, or templates for emails will keep you from reinventing the wheel every single day.
Client Onboarding: Create a simple system for onboarding new clients. This could include an intake form, a welcome email, and an automated system for scheduling and invoicing. That way, new clients know exactly what to expect, and you’re not scrambling to figure it out every time.
FAQ Section: Save yourself from answering the same questions over and over by creating a FAQ section on your website or an automatic email response. Things like “What’s your pricing?” and “Do you offer virtual sessions?” should be easily accessible to clients without requiring your direct involvement.
Pro Tip: Systems don’t need to be fancy. You can use Google Docs, a simple spreadsheet, or even sticky notes (if that’s your style). The key is consistency so you’re not stuck in admin limbo every week.
Final Thoughts: Get Out of Your Inbox and Back Into Your Passion
You started your dog training business because you love working with dogs, not because you love admin tasks. So stop letting them steal your time! By automating, outsourcing, saying no to what doesn’t serve you, and putting simple systems in place, you’ll free up hours every week to do what you actually love.
Remember: You’re a business owner, not a superhero. It’s okay to delegate, streamline, and even take a breather. And if anyone tells you otherwise? Politely tell them to fetch a better way.
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