How to Start a Guard Dog Business

Guard dog businesses are becoming very popular, especially in urban areas where nighttime burglary is on the rise. Business owners train guard dogs to protect the property of customers during all non-business hours. Guard dogs can be rented or sold to companies or individuals that require protection.

Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.

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Start a guard dog business by following these 10 steps:

  1. Plan your Guard Dog Business
  2. Form your Guard Dog Business into a Legal Entity
  3. Register your Guard Dog Business for Taxes
  4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  5. Set up Accounting for your Guard Dog Business
  6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Guard Dog Business
  7. Get Guard Dog Business Insurance
  8. Define your Guard Dog Business Brand
  9. Create your Guard Dog Business Website
  10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your guard dog business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Guard Dog Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

  • Your state’s business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability

It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening a guard dog business?

First of all, you will need a location from which to operate that has well-built kennels and space for the dogs to run. You will also need to purchase transportable sizable locked cages. As business owner, you will need to either train the dogs yourself or pay for the cost of having them trained and handled. Depending on the square footage needed, and the number of dogs employed, you’re looking at start-up costs of up to $50,000.

What are the ongoing expenses for a guard dog business?

Ongoing expenses for a guard dog business include food, maintenance, and veterinary care for animals, upgrading or purchasing new kennels and cages, vehicle maintenance and gas, training costs, and salary for any handlers. You’ll also incur monthly phone and website maintenance costs.

Who is the target market?

Preferred clients are business or operating in high crime areas, or private homeowners, who wish to rent or buy a trained guard dog.

How does a guard dog business make money?

A guard dog business makes money by either renting out guard dogs or selling highly trained guard dogs to individuals.

How much can you charge customers?

Guard dog rentals without any security handlers can run up to $80 for an eight-hour shift, which includes pickup and delivery of the dog. Guard dogs that are housed in cages in the location’s perimeters average about $100-$150 per day, which includes visiting the dog daily, feeding it, and providing any clean-up. If you rent out guard dogs with security handlers, it will run from $150 to $200 for 8 hours. Sales of trained security guard dogs range from $10,000 to $12,000 for a level I dog, and $20,000+ for a level III dog.

How much profit can a guard dog business make?

Guard dog trainers command a salary of approximately $35,000 per year. Rentals of dogs including kennel on site service and pick up and delivery services include all costs associated with dog care, veterinary care, and transportation costs. Sales of trained dogs are much more lucrative, although it does take a substantial investment of time to train the dogs before they are ready to be sold.

Depending on the level of training a guard dog receives, and the amount of salaries and rent or mortgage payments, guard dog business owners can expect to see profits of approximately 20-25% annually.

How can you make your business more profitable?

If you can train and sell guard dogs, this will add a significant amount of profit to your business. Likewise, if you provide much of the training and handling yourself, your business will be more profitable than if you have to hire other professionals to do the bulk of the work for you.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your guard dog business is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.

This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.

In practice, this means that if your guard dog business were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.

Ready to Turn Your Business Idea Into a Reality?

Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.

FORM YOUR LLC

Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

  • Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
  • Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a guard dog business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

Service Agreement

Guard dog businesses should consider requiring clients to sign a services agreement before starting a new project. This agreement should clarify client expectations and minimize risk of legal disputes by setting out payment terms and conditions, service level expectations, and intellectual property ownership. Here is an example of a services agreement.

Recommended: Rocket Lawyer makes it easy to create a professional service agreement for your guard dog business when you sign up for their premium membership. For $39.95 per month, members receive access to hundreds of legal agreements and on call attorneys to get complimentary legal advice.

Release of Liability

To avoid liability and potential lawsuits, guard dog businesses should have their clients sign a release of liability. Here is an example of one such form.

Rocket Lawyer makes it easy to create a professional release of liability form for your business when you sign up for their premium membership.

Certificate of Occupancy

A guard dog business can be run out of a large storefront or athletic space. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a  Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

  • If you plan to lease a storefront:
    • It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
    • Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a guard dog business.
    • After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening,  it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
  • If you plan to purchase or build a storefront:
    • You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
    • Review all building codes and zoning requirements for you business’ location to ensure your guard dog business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.

Find out what types of insurance your Guard Dog Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Guard Dog Business.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a guard dog business

Consider your environment. Find out whether there are any other dog-related businesses in the area – groomers, vets, shelters, pet stores. Contact the owners of these other businesses and see if you can mutually advertise. Be aware of other safety organizations and crime-fighting associations. You can make a presentation at the local neighborhood watch association or the Better Business Bureau.

McGruff the Crime Dog will be 37 years old in July 2017. Contact McGruff’s organization, the National Crime Prevention Council, to find out what local events they might have planned, including live appearances, parades, school activities, etc. You’ve got crime fighting dogs, too. Plan some joint events.

Advertise everywhere – print newspapers and pamphlets, posters, mailings, etc. Advertise online. Start a web page that features some videos of training your dogs in action. You can also encourage visitors to contribute their own blog posts or testimonials about their experience with your dogs.

How to keep customers coming back

Signs and logos are very important for any businesses. Make sure that the name of your business is prominent on any equipment, as well as on your vehicles and on the clothing of your employees. Take an active part in your community. Attend trade shows, parades, and other local events. Speak with schools and local business associations about providing talks or demonstrations. Ask satisfied customers to write a blog post or a good Yelp review. Be on good terms with the local police department and other local businesses, as they might refer people in the neighborhood to your business.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
  • Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
  • Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPressWIXWeeblySquarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

This is a wonderful business for dog trainers and handlers, as well as people with an interest in security and crime deterrence. A business owner should be in good physical condition, since they will be training, caring for, and possibly transporting guard dogs.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

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What happens during a typical day at a guard dog business?

A dog guard business owner will be kept busy with a number of important tasks, including training, transporting dogs to their place of employment, cleaning up after the dogs and locking them up in their onsite kennel after their shift is over, or dropping off rental guard dogs at night and picking them up in the morning. They’ll also need to care for the dogs’ health and transport them to the vet when necessary. A business owner must also be responsible for the upkeep of vehicles, finding new dogs that are suitable for training, and providing 24-hour emergency customer service.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful guard dog business?

Degrees or certification in animal science or related fields and experience with animals is very important. It’s highly recommended that you or your trainer should pursue a training program in dog obedience and behavior modification and as a protection dog trainer. Join a protection sports association like PSA K9, which will give you or your trainers an outlet to practice civilian competitions in controlled protection and canine obedience.

What is the growth potential for a guard dog business?

Depending on the number of dogs you have, the increased popularity of owning a protection dog, and the crime statistics of the neighborhood, there is potential for growth. Keep in mind, though, that quality of care – clean, well-ventilated kennels and healthy, well-trained, cared-for dogs – should be a primary consideration before considering quantity.Growth potential is estimated at 15-20% annually.

Not sure if a guard dog business is right for you? Try our free Business Idea Generator and find your perfect idea.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

  • Funding
  • Events
  • Guides
  • Support

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a guard dog business?

You or your future trainers should attend training courses that specialize in canine behavior, behavior evaluation, and training techniques. Get to know the best breeds of dogs for training – German shepherds, Akitas, Rottweilers, Pulis, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Giant Schnauzer, Doberman Pinschers, and Bullmastiffs. Earn voluntary professional certification – either a CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer with Knowledge Assessed) for entry-level trainers or a CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer with Knowledge and Skills Assessed) for more advanced trainers.

How and when to build a team

As your business grows, it will be impossible for you to do all of the necessary training and maintenance yourself. You will need at least one other trainer and a small team of employees who can handle 24-hour emergency calls, advertising, website development, upkeep, etc.

According to www.payscale.com, dog trainers can earn anywhere from $10 – $25 hourly depending on their level of experience and expertise. This translates to around $2,500 per month for each additional full-time trainer. Keep this in mind as you budget to bring on more staff.

Useful Links

Industry Opportunities

Real World Examples

Further Reading