Holidays are often the most joyful time of year, but they can also be the most overwhelming, especially for dogs. Between houseguests, endless food on display and noisy environments, Thanksgiving poses unique behavioral and safety challenges for pets. For Dog Training Elite, this is also a powerful season to show how personalized training strengthens the bond between dogs and families.
René Marro, owner of Dog Training Elite Greater New Hampshire, explains that the holiday season brings both everyday struggles like barking or pulling and added stressors like food stealing, reactivity around guests and even boarding concerns.
“One of the most common problems is stealing food — counter surfing,” Marro said. “We also see dogs that aren’t good with guests, whether it’s jumping, barking, anxiety-type behaviors or even reactive behaviors like lunging and biting.”
For prospective franchisees, there is a strong demand from families who need local experts who can step in before holidays like Thanksgiving to ensure their dogs are safe, calm and a welcome part of family gatherings.
The best way to avoid chaos on Thanksgiving is to prepare dogs in advance. “The best solution to these problems is a doggy education and training,” Marro said. “You don’t have children and not give them an education, and dogs are part of the family.”
Marro notes that families can make progress on their own with steady practice at home, even without a formal program. Still, he says many people benefit from having a professional involved, the same way a trainer at the gym keeps you consistent and on track.
Franchisees are uniquely positioned to meet this need because they can deliver in-home training tailored to each family. This flexibility allows owners to support busy pet parents before peak holiday events when routines are already stretched thin.
Once guests start arriving and food is everywhere, dogs need boundaries. Marro points to the “place” command as a cornerstone. “We teach dogs to stay put — all four limbs on a cot,” he said. “They can sit, stand, lay down, chew on a toy or bone, but they’re not allowed to leave it.”
This simple routine allows pets to remain part of the celebration without becoming disruptive. “It gives them freedom without being locked in a crate or room when guests come, but still provides boundaries,” Marro said. Families can even move the cot outside or near the dining area so the dog is included in the festivities.
This kind of teaching highlights Dog Training Elite’s unique model: practical, family-focused solutions that empower dogs to thrive during real-life situations.
A holiday meal can bring more hazards than most owners realize. Onions, garlic and other scraps fall to the floor, and kids often pass treats like grapes or chocolate to the dog without thinking.
“Around the holidays, the last thing you want is a rushed visit to the vet because the dog ingested something it shouldn’t have,” Marro said. He also warns about seasonal plants like poinsettias, which are toxic to pets. “You’re checking your Christmas list, check your toxic plants and foods as far as your pets go,” he said.
This kind of guidance shows how Dog Training Elite franchisees can do more than correct behavior, they educate families, preventing emergencies that can ruin the holiday.
Beyond food, another major challenge is managing introductions to new people or visiting dogs. Marro stresses control and common sense.
“If you know your dog is reactive, the best way to approach it is to put your dog on a leash so that you can maintain control,” he said. “If your dog is known to jump, having them on a leash prevents them from knocking over 84-year-old grandma.”
When other pets are involved, Marro suggests slow, outdoor introductions and even parallel walks to ease tensions.
This reinforces the importance of localized, in-home training that Dog Training Elite provides. Unlike generic group classes, franchise owners are able to tailor lessons to each household’s unique mix of pets, people and environments.
While many dog owners try group classes, the holidays highlight the limits of one-size-fits-all approaches. “One-on-one training is preferred because you are getting training specifically for your dog,” Marro said. “Group training focuses on the command more than anything, while in-home training focuses on the specific needs of that dog.”
He likens it to education: “It’s very similar to creating an IEP [individual education program] for children. Each dog needs a different approach.”
This model also provides a competitive edge for franchise owners. By focusing on in-home solutions, Dog Training Elite franchisees meet families where they are, delivering lasting results.
Dog Training Elite’s mission is about transforming relationships between dogs and people. Marro says that the holidays make that impact even clearer. “It feels really good to be able to start with a client who feels like we are their last hope,” he said. “When we’re able to do that, it really is life-changing for people.”
He recalls moments when clients beam with pride as strangers compliment their dog’s good behavior in public. “It reminds the client what they’ve achieved,” Marro said.
For those considering franchise ownership, the pet industry is continuing to grow and families want solutions that let their dogs thrive during high-stress times. Dog Training Elite offers a proven system to deliver those results. Owners aren’t just building businesses — they’re becoming trusted partners in their communities.
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/dogtrainingelite/info.
Dog Training Elite
SPONSORED
As the holidays approach, pet owners need proven strategies to prepare their dogs, and Dog Training Elite franchisees are stepping in to help pet owners create stress-free celebrations.
Holidays are often the most joyful time of year, but they can also be the most overwhelming, especially for dogs. Between houseguests, endless food on display and noisy environments, Thanksgiving poses unique behavioral and safety challenges for pets. For Dog Training Elite, this is also a powerful season to show how personalized training strengthens the bond between dogs and families.
René Marro, owner of Dog Training Elite Greater New Hampshire, explains that the holiday season brings both everyday struggles like barking or pulling and added stressors like food stealing, reactivity around guests and even boarding concerns.
“One of the most common problems is stealing food — counter surfing,” Marro said. “We also see dogs that aren’t good with guests, whether it’s jumping, barking, anxiety-type behaviors or even reactive behaviors like lunging and biting.”
For prospective franchisees, there is a strong demand from families who need local experts who can step in before holidays like Thanksgiving to ensure their dogs are safe, calm and a welcome part of family gatherings.
The best way to avoid chaos on Thanksgiving is to prepare dogs in advance. “The best solution to these problems is a doggy education and training,” Marro said. “You don’t have children and not give them an education, and dogs are part of the family.”
Marro notes that families can make progress on their own with steady practice at home, even without a formal program. Still, he says many people benefit from having a professional involved, the same way a trainer at the gym keeps you consistent and on track.
Franchisees are uniquely positioned to meet this need because they can deliver in-home training tailored to each family. This flexibility allows owners to support busy pet parents before peak holiday events when routines are already stretched thin.
Once guests start arriving and food is everywhere, dogs need boundaries. Marro points to the “place” command as a cornerstone. “We teach dogs to stay put — all four limbs on a cot,” he said. “They can sit, stand, lay down, chew on a toy or bone, but they’re not allowed to leave it.”
This simple routine allows pets to remain part of the celebration without becoming disruptive. “It gives them freedom without being locked in a crate or room when guests come, but still provides boundaries,” Marro said. Families can even move the cot outside or near the dining area so the dog is included in the festivities.
This kind of teaching highlights Dog Training Elite’s unique model: practical, family-focused solutions that empower dogs to thrive during real-life situations.
A holiday meal can bring more hazards than most owners realize. Onions, garlic and other scraps fall to the floor, and kids often pass treats like grapes or chocolate to the dog without thinking.
“Around the holidays, the last thing you want is a rushed visit to the vet because the dog ingested something it shouldn’t have,” Marro said. He also warns about seasonal plants like poinsettias, which are toxic to pets. “You’re checking your Christmas list, check your toxic plants and foods as far as your pets go,” he said.
This kind of guidance shows how Dog Training Elite franchisees can do more than correct behavior, they educate families, preventing emergencies that can ruin the holiday.
Beyond food, another major challenge is managing introductions to new people or visiting dogs. Marro stresses control and common sense.
“If you know your dog is reactive, the best way to approach it is to put your dog on a leash so that you can maintain control,” he said. “If your dog is known to jump, having them on a leash prevents them from knocking over 84-year-old grandma.”
When other pets are involved, Marro suggests slow, outdoor introductions and even parallel walks to ease tensions.
This reinforces the importance of localized, in-home training that Dog Training Elite provides. Unlike generic group classes, franchise owners are able to tailor lessons to each household’s unique mix of pets, people and environments.
While many dog owners try group classes, the holidays highlight the limits of one-size-fits-all approaches. “One-on-one training is preferred because you are getting training specifically for your dog,” Marro said. “Group training focuses on the command more than anything, while in-home training focuses on the specific needs of that dog.”
He likens it to education: “It’s very similar to creating an IEP [individual education program] for children. Each dog needs a different approach.”
This model also provides a competitive edge for franchise owners. By focusing on in-home solutions, Dog Training Elite franchisees meet families where they are, delivering lasting results.
Dog Training Elite’s mission is about transforming relationships between dogs and people. Marro says that the holidays make that impact even clearer. “It feels really good to be able to start with a client who feels like we are their last hope,” he said. “When we’re able to do that, it really is life-changing for people.”
He recalls moments when clients beam with pride as strangers compliment their dog’s good behavior in public. “It reminds the client what they’ve achieved,” Marro said.
For those considering franchise ownership, the pet industry is continuing to grow and families want solutions that let their dogs thrive during high-stress times. Dog Training Elite offers a proven system to deliver those results. Owners aren’t just building businesses — they’re becoming trusted partners in their communities.
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/dogtrainingelite/info.
Sign up for the 1851 Franchise newsletter to get our biggest stories before everyone else
By signing up, you agree to our user agreement (including class action waiver and arbitration provisions), and acknowledge our privacy policy.
No related articles found
