Setting up Puppy Socialisation Class

Shanao

So a lot of people have been asking me lately are there any puppy socialisation classes outside of Cork city, so i've been thinking of starting one up myself, with basic obedience incorporated into it. I'm qualified in canine behaviour and obedience training and have been training dogs for almost six years now. What I'm wondering is what are the main things i need to know to run it, as in insurance etc? Has anyone else run one?

Shanao

Also wondering if people would be interested? It'll probably be in Ballincollig somewhere; nearest big area to me. And does anyone think it would be better to do it on weekends or weeknights?

andreac

Try posting this on topdog.ie A lot of their members are from the Cork area:)

Bog Bunny

I've been thinking about this too. What deterred me is the insurance and liability side if you offer a service. Perhaps the other option is to find soomeone who has dogs and a field, form a limited company, on paper, each participant becomes a share holder and each 'shareholder' = member partakes at their own risk?
I mean when dogs meet on the beach or in the woods and play with each other, their owners are not inclined to sue the a*se of you if they stumble and fall in a hole or their puppies nip each other, are they?

Cherry Blossom

Bog Bunny wrote: »

I've been thinking about this too. What deterred me is the insurance and liability side if you offer a service. Perhaps the other option is to find soomeone who has dogs and a field, form a limited company, on paper, each participant becomes a share holder and each 'shareholder' = member partakes at their own risk?
I mean when dogs meet on the beach or in the woods and play with each other, their owners are not inclined to sue the a*se of you if they stumble and fall in a hole or their puppies nip each other, are they?

Its a bit drastic hiring a charted account (which you have to do to form a limited company), you also have a hell of a lot of paperwork and you have to pay to register the company and it's not cheap! You also have to register for VAT etc. It is illegal to make any personal gain from a limited company without paying tax on it. To top it all off you still need public liability insurance.

You have your 6 weeks (or however many) of puppy socialision classes, nobody who doesn't agree to forming the company can join.

Then you go through the motions of winding down the company. So the cost is about €1000 for the accountant, registration fees ect. €500, public liability insurance - god knows how much, etc. etc. etc.
That makes for a pretty expensive way to go about socialising your puppy

Shanao

Yeah, I really dont have that kinda money to be spending on setting up a class. Yikes

Cherry Blossom

Shanao wrote: »

Yeah, I really dont have that kinda money to be spending on setting up a class. Yikes

Ha, no, you have no need to set up a limited company, all you need is the insurance, no idea who provides it though. I'd send ISDW a PM on the subject

Shanao

Thanks. Its just that a lot of people have been saying that they hate having to go into the city for it (and honestly, I want to socialise my own guys too, though they already love other dogs) so I thought I might give it a go. Its not something I'm planning on doing long term.

Cherry Blossom

http://www.allianz.ie/allianz_ie/Other_Products/Sports_Social/Public_Liability/Public_Liability_Insurance.html

Kali_Kalika

I really like the idea - just a pitty your in the Cork area! I'm in Dublin (northside) and would love to get my puppy to socialisation classes! She's spending too much time around the cat and meeting other dogs is scary at first and then mega exciting for her and I'd love her to get a bit more social before she gets any older! Good luck with your venture and hope it really goes well!

If you can dream it you can achieve it!

lillylalogue

hiya. about puppy socialisation classes; if you are registered as a sole trader and have public liability insurance that should be enough. you don't need to register for vat unless you are earning over 37K a year which if just running classes you won't! keeping all receipts until October when you can either do your own accounts or get a small account business who should not charge much to do this.
i will be doing a puppy socialisation class in dublin over the next few weeks indoors in Drumcondra and PM me if you want any more information. like you i am qualified and certified.

Shanao

Thanks all for your help. Going to be contacting the local hall on Monday to see if we can rent it out for a while, then once I've got feedback from them I'll start looknig into the insurance. Mentioned it to a grooming friend of mine who also studied behaviour and she now wants in so I think we'll start it up between us