Membership Features: Change is Coming!
We're excited to offer a range of new membership features to help trainers get started with Operation Socialization.
Effective September 26, 2011, Dog Trainer startup memberships will increase to $325 (from $225). This fee will include the following all-new options:
- Ten free, one-year OS memberships that you award to the businesses of your choice. They try out OS with no obligation, and you expand your network of Socialization Destinations.
- A one-hour startup consultation with OS President Ariana Kincaid. Discuss your goals and get tips on managing your particular challenges.
- The seven-week Socialization Success Curriculum Enhancement for group puppy classes. Save valuable time and direct your energy to your clients and business. This OS curriculum is easily tailored to private consultations.
- The opportunity to write for the OS blog. Share your knowledge and experience while connecting with potential clients and fellow trainers.
- Apply for the startup membership before September 25th - and pass the OS Certification Exam by November 15th - and you'll get these new features at the old price.
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Quick Tip: Marketing Puppy Socials
Puppy socials can be a terrific entry point for your business, exposing potential clients to your full range of services. Grow your business by thinking of puppy socials as a marketing tool, not just a service.
Here are a few tips:
Never Underestimate the Power of a Cute Puppy Post photos and YouTube clips from your socials to your Facebook business page. Maybe you've noticed: puppy pics have a way of getting passed around the internet.
Get More Mileage from Your Existing Marketing Include an insert about your puppy socials in your brochures (members can place inserts in the Socialization Success for Puppy Owners brochures.)
Court the Local Press The press like a "hook," something unusual or noteworthy about an event, so add a twist. A Friday night social with wine and cheese. Costume-themed nights for both puppies and owners.
Think Creatively If local papers have a "Best Of..." issue, don't settle on competing with your peers for "Best Dog Trainer." Instead, look for unusual categories to slip inside. Nominate your social for "Best Place to Take a First Date" or "Best Place to Lose Your Inner Cynic." (How can anyone feel jaded, watching puppies scamper around a room?)
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Member Highlight
Trainer: Veronica Sanchez, MA, Ed., CABC, CPDT-KA, OSCT
Business: Cooperative Paws, LLC
City: Vienna, VA
Services Offered: Private lessons and behavior consultations.
Why did you decide to become an OS member? I've noticed that pet owners understand the need to socialize their puppies, but not the actual process. Operation Socialization provides a structured format to educate puppy owners, covering all aspects of socialization in a way that is easily understood and not overwhelming. I was excited to incorporate the program into my puppy lessons.
What do you tell people about early socialization? To start right away, and to carefully determine which experiences are right for their particular pup. Some puppies are ready to jump right into a trip to the city, while other puppies need to start in a quiet park. They need to set their puppy up to be successful. Also, puppy owners should bring a camera when they are socializing their pups to capture the fun and adorable moments!
What do you think is most valuable about Operation Socialization? I absolutely love the Puppy Passport, which offers each client a format to track their pup's socialization. I begin private lessons by discussing the previous week's socialization experiences, which helps me figure out the puppy's next steps. I notice many of my puppy owners tend to socialize their pups in similar locations and the Puppy Passport helps owners learn to diversify.
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