Retired Physical Therapist Transforms Passion for Dogs into Thriving Dog Training Elite Franchise

Roger Goble is a retired physical therapist that worked in the field for 30 years. Around two years ago his son, Austin, wanted to start a business to supplement his own nonprofit work and came across Dog Training Elite. After meeting the team, they decided it was a great opportunity for Austin to combine his passion for dog training with ministry and his entrepreneurial spirit. 

The father-son team has been in business since 2022 and have been expanding ever since, with a total of seven Dog Training Elite Territories currently in the Southeast, MI market. 

1851 Franchise spoke to Roger Goble about his franchise journey and his plans for the future. 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Roger Goble: I am a retired physical therapist, having worked in the field for 30 years. I've always had an entrepreneurial spirit, even owning several clinic locations in Michigan, which we sold to ATI Physical Therapy about 12 years ago. Since then, I've been involved in various small business ventures. My son, Austin, who is in youth ministry, wanted to start a business to supplement his nonprofit work. He found Dog Training Elite, and after meeting the team in Utah, we decided it was a great opportunity for him to combine his passion for dog training with a viable business venture. We jumped in two years ago and have been expanding ever since.

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Goble: I wasn't very familiar with traditional royalty-based franchises. My previous business experience involved a franchise model that didn't include royalties. Initially, I knew franchising would mean paying royalties but hoped there would be added value to offset the cost. In the dog training industry, which is very fragmented, we saw the benefit of having a national presence, branding and established credibility. This franchise offered us the opportunity for faster growth and a structured way to understand and operate the business more efficiently.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Goble: Dog Training Elite aligned perfectly with Austin's passion for dogs. He was initially looking for a dog-related business and found that this franchise matched his interests and values. We appreciated the company’s methodology and philosophy, which resonated with us. The support from Raintree and the unique aspects of Dog Training Elite made it an easy decision. It was a good fit for what Austin felt he could achieve.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?

Goble: Our goal is to make the business viable and sustainable enough to support our family. In the short term, we aim to solidify our trainers' skills and establish a strong business culture. We want to ensure that our trainers are well-versed in both dog training and customer service. Once we have a solid foundation, we plan to expand by adding more trainers and potentially looking into a brick-and-mortar facility. However, our immediate focus is on perfecting our current operations.

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Goble: We discovered early on that our business has a profound impact on individuals. I didn't realize the deep connection people have with their pets and how positively or negatively a dog's behavior can affect a household. Our goal is to move from simply influencing people to making a real impact. This involves intentional actions and a heart component in our services. We've seen this particularly in our work with service and therapy dogs, which has shown us the significant impact dog training can have on people's lives and communities.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?

Goble: Be prepared for the journey. Franchising isn't necessarily a plug-and-play model; it requires your entrepreneurial spirit to succeed. Operating a franchise means taking ownership and making it your own. Understand that at the end of the day, it’s still a business with revenue and expenses to manage. Embrace the entrepreneurial aspect and treat it as a true enterprise opportunity. Dog Training Elite encourages independence and autonomy, so choose your path and commit to it fully to align with your goals and objectives.

ABOUT DOG TRAINING ELITE

With more than four decades of experience in dog training, Dog Training Elite is one of the country’s leading obedience and specialized training franchises. Offering a comprehensive suite of customizable training programs, Dog Training Elite works with dogs and owners to meet any and all training needs, including therapy dog training and advanced service dog training for PTSD support, psychiatric support, mobility support, autism support, diabetic alert training and an array of other services. In addition to the wide breadth of services offered, Dog Training Elite differentiates itself from competitors through a uniquely human-focused approach to dog training, which focuses on helping owners and their families learn to effectively and consistently support their dog’s training needs. To learn more about franchising with the Franchise 500 Dog Training Elite, visit https://dogtrainingelite.com/franchise.