Two of Dog Training Elite’s newest Franchise Owners are taking on the dog training industry in Lee’s Summit, Missouri! Father-daughter duo Cat Klingsick and Chuck Klingsick have opened their very first dog training business and also the first Dog Training Elite location in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Chuck and Cat are a great example of a successful family business with little in the way of previous business experience. Dog Training Elite is the perfect franchise opportunity for individuals like Chuck and Cat that bring something unique to the table, even if that something isn’t business experience.

Like many of Dog Training Elite’s Franchise Owners, this duo didn’t have a substantial amount of experience in the dog training industry. Chuck Klingsick has been involved in the information technology world for over thirty years, eighteen of which were spent in project management positions in which we would manage and lead IT teams in large numbers. Cat, on the other hand, had a bit of experience with animals. She worked as an animal caregiver at a local veterinarian’s kennel for about two years. Together, the two decided to invest in a Dog Training Elite franchise and launch their own dog training business in the Kansas City area!

More Than Just a Dog Training Business

When asked about how they got in touch with Dog Training Elite, Chuck noted a visit with one of Dog Training Elite’s top-notch franchise coaches and a desire to build a business around the love for dogs that he and his daughter Cat shared.

“I was introduced to Anna Brambilla, who is a franchise coach and she introduced Dog Training Elite,” said Chuck. “We have always owned dogs and have enjoyed being around them. They have always been part of the family. With my management background, and Cat’s experience and knowledge of dogs, this is a perfect opportunity for a family business. We have been active with various charities and we are looking forward to working with the Malinois Foundation to pair our love of dogs with helping others.”

It’s worth noting that Chuck and Cat were also drawn in by Dog Training Elite’s highly unique business model- namely, our low overhead and opportunities for growth and scaling. This resonated with the pair, as neither had any experience running their own dog training business before. This is one of the many reasons why Dog Training Elite is such an excellent franchise to choose, both for seasoned investors looking to add an affordable pet care franchise to their portfolio and first-time entrepreneurs with little experience in the business world. With plenty of opportunities to grow, excellent support from the franchise’s corporate office, and a good business model, Chuck and Cat decided that Dog Training Elite was the right franchise for them.

“We like the opportunity to start off with a low overhead and grow to a larger area,” says Chuck. “The support from Corporate, the training process and marketing are all superior to any other franchise that we looked at. [Founder] John [Mestas], [CEO] Kelley [Rosequist], and [Dog Training Elite Franchise Owner/Franchise Trainer] Aidan [Rosequist] were so genuinely interested in us and were very personable. They didn’t treat us like visiting strangers, but rather we felt like part of the family from day one. [Franchise Coordinator] Rachael [Stiles] has been amazing from the beginning with helping us get organized.”

At Dog Training Elite, we understand that the difference between unsuccessful and successful Franchise Owners comes down to the support they receive from the franchise as a whole. To really make potential or new Franchise Owners feel at ease, we launch something called a Approval Day. The entirety of this day is dedicated to showing our new Franchise Owners everything about Dog Training Elite, complete with a consultation from our corporate team and a full tour of a DTE facility. Cat and Chuck had their “lightbulb moment” during their Approval Day after meeting some other Franchise Owners.

“We learned so much at Approval Day and were exposed to ‘a day in the life of a trainer’,” Cat notes. “We met a couple of trainers, and watching them interact with the clients and dogs, it is obvious that they are sincere about helping the dogs and dog owners be closer and happier. When talking with other Franchise Owners it was apparent that this was something they loved doing. After speaking with several of them we were really certain this was going to be our choice, but when we met the owner and corporate team we absolutely fell in love.”

Chuck and Cat are not unlike many of the Franchise Owners who opt for Dog Training Elite. Becoming an entrepreneur with little experience in the realm of business can be risky, but many people who haven’t launched their own business before find comfort in opting for a franchise. With Dog Training Elite, Cat and Chuck were able to launch their business quickly and with some help from the franchise itself. This wouldn’t be possible if they had decided to launch an independent business. To put it simply, our franchise makes the process of learning how to run a dog training business a little less foreign and scary. For Chuck, moving from the corporate world into entrepreneurship was a natural process, especially since the two Franchise Owners wanted to pursue careers that would give back to their local community.

“I have been in the corporate world for more than thirty years,” Chuck explains. “Being entrepreneurs gives us the opportunity to not only have control over our own success, but also change the lives of dogs and their owners.”

This drive to help their local community of dog owners learn how to communicate with and train their dogs wasn’t just a charitable endeavor. It was a natural transition, as the pair both brought a unique but relevant perspective to running a dog training business. Chuck’s business savvy and leadership skills, with Cat’s knowledge of and passion for dogs, is a winning combination if we’ve ever seen one!

“Chuck has managed projects up to $1.6M and charitable activities with as many as 180 volunteers,” mentions Cat. “His servant leadership style has been proven time and time again.” Chuck adds, “Cat’s passion for and knowledge of handling dogs will give her a head start to being a superior trainer.”

When asked what they believed set Dog Training Elite apart from other dog training businesses, Chuck and Cat noted that the corporate team and the Franchise Owners’ professionalism makes them stand out from the rest of the pack.

Chuck felt a great deal of confidence thanks to “[e]verything from talking with them down to viewing documents and their amazing website,” adding, “Everything was very professional. I’m looking forward to meeting with the Malinois Foundation and serving our community. The responsiveness is incredible. When I send an email, I have not had to wait more than 10 minutes for a response. Everyone is really happy to help and are so personable. They make us feel like we are family.”

This dedication to professionalism and passion for supporting local communities made Dog Training Elite the natural choice for these two individuals that wanted to do something good for the world. While other franchises simply seek to fill a role and provide a service, at Dog Training Elite, we’re interested in helping Franchise Owners become successful, but we also want to share our unique business model and proven approach to dog training with communities around the country. Chuck and Cat identified with this dedication, making Dog Training Elite the right choice for their franchising endeavors. However, running a franchise location isn’t a decision to take lightly. When asked what advice they would give to new Dog Training Elite Franchise Owners, the pair was frank about making sure to conduct your due diligence and plan ahead.

“Do it! Of course, do your homework to make sure this is right for you, but then do it. Plan ahead and make sure you take care of all the business stuff before you get started so you can focus on training when you open. Answer phone calls and be the one in your area that dog owners want to talk to.”

At Dog Training Elite, we understand that dog owners are looking for training services that are as convenient as possible. That’s why our franchise’s focus is on providing dog owners with training services in their own home. This personal touch and dedication to customer service is what consumers want-- and being there to answer the phone says a lot about the Franchise Owner. Customers notice. It’s clear that Cat and Chuck know what they’re doing and will thrive in this industry.

When asked what they look forward to about owning their own Dog Training Elite location, the pair noted their excitement when it came to helping people and dogs find a good balance of joy in their lives.

Cat says, “We look forward to helping dogs and dog owners find a happier and easier life together. We are looking forward to working with the Malinois Foundation and pairing vets with therapy dogs. We really enjoy spending time with our dogs and will be happy showing others how their dogs can enjoy being a part of the family instead of just being a pet. What better way is there to make a living than spending all day with your dogs?”

Chuck and Cat have had dogs all of their lives, and noted that dogs make excellent companions and family members. Naturally, the father-daughter duo spends every day with their own four-legged family members. Chuck enjoys spending time with his dog named Sir Isaac Newton, as well as fishing, bowling, outdoor activities, going to church, helping out charities, and spending time with Knights of Columbus. He also fished competitively for bass in Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma for about ten years and even won a championship in 2006. Cat, similarly, is an active person. She enjoys hiking, being outside, photography, and doing outdoor activities with her dog Ygritte.

Join the Team

Do you want to launch your own Dog Training Elite franchise location like Chuck and Cat Klingsick? Dog Training Elite has the right franchising opportunity for you! Get in touch with our team today! Our Founder John Mestas brought over forty years of dog training experience to his franchise, and cities all over the United States boast successful dog training businesses using his methods. With low overhead and plenty of opportunities to grow, Dog Training Elite could be the perfect franchise for you.