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Step 1
Check with your city, village or township about zoning permits and business licenses. Some have limits on how many animals you may keep in your home. Be sure your business is legal before you start advertising.
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Step 2
Develop a business plan. Using your home keeps your startup costs low. Figure in monthly costs for food, cleaning products, insurance and toys. Make sure the fencing around your property is tall and sturdy. Also consider installing web cams around your house so that pet owners can watch their dogs play while they're away.
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Step 3
Advertise not only in local papers and on Craigslist, but also by leaving business cards at vets' offices. Allow prospective clients to bring their pets to visit during normal business hours to make sure everyone's comfortable with each other.
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Step 4
Increase your understanding of dog behavior, especially pack behavior. While you should turn away truly aggressive dogs or keep them separated, be sure you don't single out dogs who are just more dominant or fearful and will eventually find their place in the pack.
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Step 5
Check with local vets to see what vaccinations they require for pets boarded at their facility. This may vary some in different regions, but your clients should provide proof of current vaccinations for rabies, distemper combo and bordatella (kennel cough). Require that all dogs be kept on heartworm/flea/intestinal parasite preventative. Giardia vaccination is probably a good idea, too.
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Step 6
Consider providing training while the dogs are at daycare. This can be as basic as housebreaking or as advanced as Canine Good Citizenship training, if you know how to do it. Charge clients extra for lessons.
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Step 7
Give the dogs a predictable routine throughout the day. Keep playtimes, mealtimes, nap times and outside times at regular intervals. It won't take long for the dogs to catch on if you're a good leader.
