6 Reasons To Go to the Dogs

Desmond R from SCI Frackville sent this great part comment/part question which I enjoyed (paraphrased): 

Q: For the past 4 years I’ve been raising pups and training them to become service animals. I’d like to start a business training service animals and dog sitting when I’m released. What do you think?

A: Desmond, your letter warmed my heart! I’m a dog-guy too, and have trained my dogs so well that friends have asked me why I’m not as well behaved as they are! Perhaps the dogs trained me?

We can learn a lot about life and growth from the process of dog training.

Dogs will learn to act based on your actions, whether good or bad. Truth be told, most dog trainers will tell you training dogs isn’t about training the dogs as much as it is teaching their human handlers the mindset needed to help the dogs reach their potential. We have to lead ourselves before we can lead the dogs we train.

Life is like dog training: it’s a process you have to stick with doing the right things (no matter how hard) to get results.

In life, we have to teach ourselves the mindset to lead us past obstacles and to a future that aligns with our potential. We have to lead ourselves first before we can achieve anything. What do I mean by that? 

We lead ourselves when we do things we don’t want to do, but do because they’re healthy and not destructive. We lead ourselves when we say “no” to hanging out with tempting people, or to self-medicating with addictive behavior or habits. We lead ourselves when we make the sacrifices needed to build a new future apart from our past. 

Here’s 6 reasons why I love your dog training and babysitting business idea:

1. I’ve always said you should start a business you’re passionate about. 

2. I’ve also said you should only do a business where you’ve mastered the skill.

3. You can start this business without a lot of capital, proving what I say in my book: you don’t need much money to start a business.

4. Your idea is realistic, and you can generate revenue quickly once you launch it.

5. You can create a business out of almost anything that someone else needs done. 

6. If you create loyal satisfied customers, you can accelerate your business growth by adding complementary products or services for your existing customers. For instance, you can make great money adding pooper-scooper and dog walking services.

I’m impressed with your vision, and hope you can get released soon so you can pursue your dream. I can’t wait to hear how successful you become. Keep in touch!

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© 2022 Pelshaw Group, Inc. Used with permission.

Ask Bob is an advice column by Bob Pelshaw, formerly incarcerated citizen, successful entrepreneur, speaker, and author of the award winning Illegal to Legal: Business Success for the (Formerly) Incarcerated. (Book and workbook available on Amazon). Bob also provides content to Edovo, GTL, PayTel, and jails and prisons nationally.

Ask Bob answers questions about life, successful re-entry, starting a business and entrepreneurship, and most anything that adds value, except the column does not cover legal issues, sentencing matters, or case issues. To ask Bob a question, write to him at:

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