17/05/2026
Running a small business in today’s world is becoming harder and harder… and honestly, something has to change.
Over the coming weeks, I’ll be carrying out a full overhaul of my pricing structure as well as revamping my website and services.
This has not been an easy decision to make.
With the rising cost of living, increasing business expenses and the rise in minimum wage, I’ve reached a point where I’ve realised something quite shocking…
As a highly skilled, qualified and experienced dog trainer, I could likely earn more per hour working a minimum wage job than I currently do running my own business.
And that simply isn’t right.
When people look at self employed businesses, they often only see the hour spent training the dog. What they don’t see are the countless unpaid hours behind the scenes.
The admin.
The accounts and taxes.
The social media and advertising.
The client support.
The lesson planning.
The continued professional development and further training.
The emotional investment.
The constant pressure of trying to keep a business financially afloat while still providing the very best standard of care and support possible.
I work 7 days a week, all hours of the day, and even when I’m technically “off”, my brain rarely switches off from the business. Family time, evenings and weekends are often spent replying to messages, planning, learning, creating content or worrying about whether there will be enough work coming in next month.
If I genuinely calculated my hourly wage based on ALL the hours I actually work… I honestly believe it would likely work out at less than half the minimum wage.
And I know I’m not alone.
I’m seeing more and more incredible small businesses struggling just to survive, and I refuse to let Four Paws become another one forced to close its doors despite years of hard work, dedication and experience.
When I moved to Wales almost three years ago, I purposely kept my prices lower than many local trainers because I was the “new kid in town” — despite already having been a qualified dog trainer for around ten years at that point.
I wanted to build trust, establish myself locally and give people the opportunity to get to know me and my work.
But I’m not new here anymore.
Over the past few years I’ve built wonderful relationships with clients and their dogs, continued investing heavily into my education and experience, and proven the standard of service and support I provide.
And the truth is… I absolutely believe I am worth every bit as much as other qualified trainers in this area.
My pricing now needs to reflect that.
So yes… my prices will be increasing.
Not because I suddenly value my clients less.
Not because I want to charge more for the sake of it.
But because qualified, ethical professionals deserve to earn a sustainable living for the years of study, skill, experience and ongoing education they bring to their work.
There will always be people charging rock bottom prices.
There will always be “dog trainers” willing to undercut everyone else.
But I know my worth.
I trained for three years at college to qualify as a Veterinary Nurse.
I then spent many years furthering my education to become a qualified and accredited IMDT Dog Trainer.
I continue to invest heavily in ongoing education so I can provide the most up to date, welfare-led, science-backed support possible.
And I’m incredibly proud to now also be a Co-Founding Member of The Ethical Dog Trainers Network ethicaldogtrainersnetwork.
I AM worth what I charge.
Please remember — when it comes to dog training, you truly do get what you pay for.
If you want kind, ethical, welfare-focused, science-backed training delivered by somebody with genuine qualifications, experience and ongoing professional development, then those fees reflect the time, knowledge, dedication and heart that goes into every single session.
And honestly?
That should never be undervalued. 🐾
