1851

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-strohmaier-494a31196/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-this-franchise-consultant-turned-a-lifelong-love-for-dogs-into-a-growing-business-with-dog-training-elite-2729331" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jason Strohmaier</a> has always loved dogs. He grew up on a farm where they had more than a dozen at a time, running off-leash and forming the backdrop of his childhood. Over the years, no matter what else he was doing — helping with his family’s construction business or working in e-commerce — dog training was something he kept coming back to.When he discovered&nbsp;<a href="https://dogtrainingfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-this-franchise-consultant-turned-a-lifelong-love-for-dogs-into-a-growing-business-with-dog-training-elite-2729331" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Dog Training Elite*</a> through his work as a franchise consultant, everything clicked. It gave him the chance to combine his experience in franchising with something he truly enjoyed. Today, Strohmaier owns seven&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/dogtrainingelite/info">Dog Training Elite</a> territories across Southern Connecticut, with two more in development. With a growing team and a strong connection to the brand’s community, he’s building something that’s both fulfilling and built to last.1851 Franchise spoke to Strohmaier about his franchise journey and plans for the future. Here’s what he had to say.&nbsp;1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?Jason Strohmaier:&nbsp;Before franchising, I did a multitude of other things. My family owns a contracting firm. They do general contracting for private custom homes, residences — those sorts of things. I’ve worked with them on and off over the years. In between, I worked for an e-commerce company selling supplements online and running nutrition challenges throughout the country. But I’ve always done dog training on the side, just kind of as a side hustle. I really enjoyed it.I grew up on a farm during the first part of my life, and at one point, we had 10 or 15 dogs running around off-leash. I’ve always had a love for animals and all the different types of breeds we had on the farm. That love for dogs just carried over after we moved — I’ve always had dogs throughout middle school, high school and beyond. I’m also a graduate of Fairfield University here in Connecticut, so I’m educated in the state.1851: How did you decide a Dog Training Elite franchise made sense for you?Strohmaier:&nbsp;One of my side hustles — because I like to keep busy — was franchise consulting. That gave me the chance to see a wide range of franchise opportunities. I’ve always been infatuated with the franchising space and the numbers I would see on the back end, how things worked and so on.I’ve always wanted to run and own my own business. With my love for dogs, my experience helping people with their dogs and training dogs in the past, I decided to give this a full-time shot. It just felt like the right fit.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?Strohmaier:&nbsp;My perception was always what most people think of when they hear the word “franchise” — McDonald's, Taco Bell, Wendy's. I always thought those were franchises — and they are — but I didn’t really think beyond that. Once I became a franchise consultant and started seeing all these other franchises, it really opened my eyes. There’s a whole world of businesses out there operating under the franchise model that people don’t even realize.It piqued my interest to see what else was out there beyond the typical restaurants. Even just driving around after I became a franchise consultant, I started noticing businesses that I never knew were franchises. It really changed the way I saw the industry. I was always interested in it, and being on calls with people exploring franchising gave me a deeper understanding of how operations work and what it takes to be successful.As for what I want people to know now that I’m in it — franchising is like any other business. You still have to put in the work. There’s no easy path. Franchising doesn’t mean automatic success, but it does mean you have more support. You have people who’ve done this before — your corporate team and fellow franchisees — who you can turn to for insight, help fixing problems or speeding up solutions. That shared knowledge really helps with the growing pains.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Strohmaier:&nbsp;I picked Dog Training Elite because they were an up-and-coming brand at the time I joined. Being able to get into the dog training space without having to open a facility right away really stood out to me — that was a big factor in my decision.What really sealed the deal was getting on the phone with other franchisees and listening to their recorded calls. Hearing their answers to certain questions, getting their perspectives and learning about the level of support they received — it all showed me that this was more than just a business. It felt like a real community, and that definitely solidified my interest in Dog Training Elite.1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Strohmaier:&nbsp;Well, like any entrepreneur or business owner, I hope to grow the business beyond just myself — and I’m already at that point. I’ve got an admin and other trainers on board. The next step is eventually opening a physical location, and from there, expanding to multiple locations throughout the state.1851:&nbsp;Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?Strohmaier:&nbsp;I just really love training dogs. I love helping people and seeing the smile on their faces when we finish training — seeing how far their dog has come throughout the process. It’s a lot of fun, but it’s also hard work.1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Strohmaier:&nbsp;Make sure you find something you really love to do — something you’re passionate about. Like I said, there’s no easy path. It’s going to be work, so be ready for that. But if you enjoy what you’re doing, it makes the hard work worth it.ABOUT DOG TRAINING ELITEWith 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&nbsp;<a href="https://dogtrainingelite.com/franchise.?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-this-franchise-consultant-turned-a-lifelong-love-for-dogs-into-a-growing-business-with-dog-training-elite-2729331" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://dogtrainingelite.com/franchise.</a>&nbsp;

How This Franchise Consultant Turned a Love for Dogs Into a Business with Dog Training Elite

Jason Strohmaier Grows Dog Training Elite in Connecticut

1851 Franchise

After growing up on a farm surrounded by dogs, Jason Strohmaier now owns seven Dog Training Elite territories in Southern Connecticut — with two more on the way. 

How This Franchise Consultant Turned a Lifelong Love for Dogs Into a Growing Business with Dog Training Elite

how-this-franchise-consultant-turned-a-lifelong-love-for-dogs-into-a-growing-business-with-dog-training-elite

Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions

Filta Franchisee Feature - Leo Tartaglia - 1851 Franchise

Doubling Down on Dedication: Why Leo Tartaglia Reaffirmed His Commitment to Filta After a Decade

filta-franchise-leo-tartaglia

Melting Pot

Melting Pot team holding $1.2 million check addressed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Melting Pot’s Million-Dollar Mission: A 20-Year Partnership With St. Jude That’s Changing Lives

melting-pot-st-jude-partnership

Paris Baguette Canada

Paris Baguette CDO Nick Scaccio Talks Franchise Growth, Training and Innovation 

Paris Baguette CDO Nick Scaccio Talks Franchise Growth, Training and Innovation on the Late Night Restaurant Show Podcast

paris-baguette-coo-nick-scaccio-franchise-growth-innovation

Comfort Keepers

Comfort Keepers - Butch and Niki Irwin - Father's Day - 1851 Franchise

A Legacy of Love: A Father-Daughter Journey To Bring Comfort Home

comfort-keepers-monroe-butch-niki-irwin

Minuteman Press International

Minuteman Press Franchise Owner Corey Sanders at his center in Greenville, SC.

Minuteman Press Franchise Review: From Business Consulting to Printing

minuteman-press-franchise-review-from-business-consulting-to-printing

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Dave’s Hot Chicken Sold to Roark Capital in $1 Billion Deal to Fuel Global Expansion

daves-hot-chicken-sold-to-roark-capital-in-1-billion-deal-to-fuel-global-expansion

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises

homebuyers-keep-buying-and-thats-good-news-for-home-service-franchises

AI Could Push Unemployment to 20% — Fueling a Surge in First-Time Franchise Buyers - 1851 Franchise

AI Could Push Unemployment to 20% — Fueling a Surge in First-Time Franchise Buyers

ai-unemployment-impact-white-collar-job-loss

How To Sell Just One Franchise: What You’ll Learn at FranCamp NJ 2025

how-to-sell-just-one-franchise-what-youll-learn-at-francamp-nj-2025

House Passes Tax Relief Package With Key Benefits for Small Businesses and Franchises

house-passes-small-business-tax-relief-bill-2025

Sola Salons Franchisee Grows Salon Freedom Into a Multi-State Powerhouse 

sola-salons-franchisee-grows-salon-freedom-into-a-multi-state-powerhouse

Dan Yangas Brings Family Flooring Legacy Full Circle With Footprints Floors Franchise in Naperville 

Dan Yangas Brings Family Flooring Legacy Full Circle With Footprints Floors Franchise in Naperville, Illinois

dan-yangas-brings-family-flooring-legacy-full-circle-with-footprints-floors-franchise-in-naperville-illinois

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Sean Phelan & Caring Transitions logo

From Tech to Transitions: Why This Caring Transitions Franchisee Left the Corporate World To Help Families Navigate Life’s Hardest Moves

sean-phelan-caring-transitions-franchise-austin

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Raj Pingili and Paris Baguette logo

How a Family Vacation Inspired Raj Pingili to Bring Paris Baguette to Towson, Maryland

how-a-family-vacation-inspired-raj-pingili-to-bring-paris-baguette-to-towson-maryland

How Car Sales Taught Buddy's Home Furnishings’ Mitchell Lee the Secrets of Franchise Development

how-car-sales-taught-buddys-home-furnishings-mitchell-lee-the-secrets-of-franchise-development

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

What You Need To Know About Low-Cost Franchise Opportunities

what-you-need-to-know-about-low-cost-franchise-opportunities

busy-bee-jumpers-consumer-positioning-image-kids-jumping-bounce-house

Delivering Fun With a Smile: How Busy Bee Jumpers Earns 5-Star Raves From Families Across New England

busy-bee-jumpers-party-rentals

How This Franchise Consultant Turned a Lifelong Love for Dogs Into a Growing Business with Dog Training Elite

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS