Jim Burwell's Petiquette Dog Franchise - Houston's "Dog Whisperer" Launches Franchise for Aspiring Pet Dog Trainers

In 2005, while enjoying his status as Houston's most esteemed dog trainer, Jim Burwell decided to formalize his business concept, leverage his experience, and his reputation through the creation of a Franchising business, to be called Jim Burwell's PetiquetteT. He announced his new business last month.

"Our goal," says Burwell, "is to share the 'Burwell MethodT' of dog training and show like-minded men and women that 'Opportunity Barks!'"

In fact, he may be right. Entrepreneur magazine reports that dog obedience training is a multimillion-dollar industry growing by double digits, as more and more dog owners realize the benefits of professional training.

"The most prominent franchisor of dog training is probably the foreign company known as Bark Busters," says Burwell. "From beginning their Franchise program in Australia, they've grown to about three hundred businesses, with about two-thirds of them in the United States. That growth has occurred in only fourteen years. So demand is definitely there," he adds.

"In terms of rocket-like growth, Bark Busters is not Subway, Pizza Hut or Curves. But pet dog training is an awesome and profitable business to be in," Burwell observes. "No one knows better than my wife and me."

Now the 57-year-old trainer of KPRC-TV's "Radar" as well as dogs for stage and Houston's social set, is in the dog training business in a bigger way than ever.

Twenty Years of Positive Reinforcement
Jim Burwell's Petiquette offers franchisees the benefits of a 20-year proven method of dog training and behavior modification, using positive reinforcement to achieve training goals, and a working partnership with an expert like no other. He serves customers all across Houston, and sometimes out of town.

"People are learning that obedience training is one of the best things you can do for your dog. Five basic commands can make the difference between an animal that's out of control and a pet that is a pleasure to live with," Burwell says. "I want every dog to be a pleasure to be around."

Jim Burwell never intended to become a dog trainer. He didn't even intend to buy a dog. But one evening in 1986, Jim found himself in a tuxedo with an 8-week-old golden retriever he'd "won" by successfully bidding in a charity auction. He named his new pal "Charlie."

Over time, Charlie proved to be headstrong, dominant and tenacious. But Jim was equally determined. And through training, they both learned, and their bond grew. Through Charlie, Jim found new motivation, new inspiration and a new calling. Charlie inspired Jim to change careers in mid-life, and what a change it was!

From Banking to Barking
After two decades working in the corporate world, Jim began a new and more fulfilling life as a dog trainer. "As a trainer, I would have the ability to experience the satisfaction that comes from seeing well-trained, happy animals bring joy to their owners, and also to help abandoned, lost and rescued dogs find their way into good, permanent homes," he says.

Early on, he trained the dogs of friends and family. All the while, he diligently studied dog-training books and videos and attended seminars to learn everything possible about canine behavior and canine-human interactions.

Since 1988, Jim has trained thousands of dogs. In recent years he made his training available through Rover Oaks Pet Resort, which he founded in 2001.

Jim has also become actively involved, and taken on leadership roles, in the dog-training industry. Through seminars, lectures and instructional classes sponsored by the industry's professional organizations, he stays abreast of current techniques and new information on canine behavior.

Houston's "Dog Whisperer"
In 2003 the Houston Chronicle's "Texas Magazine" published a cover story on Jim entitled "Dog Whisperer." The glowing, five-page article resulted in nearly 2,000 phone calls and approximately 750 emails that included requests for dog training, behavioral counseling and people-training!

Many people wanted to learn the skill set of dog training. They were looking to transition from the corporate world to a better, more enjoyable style of living and working. Some wanted to expand their pet-sitting businesses to include dog training. The overwhelming response generated by the article helped Jim to better understand the far-reaching demand for pet behavioral problem-solving and, consequently, the need for quality trainers.

Therein, the idea of Petiquette was born.

Just a month after announcing the availability of franchises, and completing a dog-training web site, Jim is gratified by the response.

Icing on the 'Milk Bone'
"I shouldn't be overly surprised," he says. "I mean we have a proven curriculum, a franchise that requires less capital than most and that asks franchisees to make no investment in real estate."

"Still," he adds, "it's great to see people interested in what I love, and to have a chance to work closely with wonderful people and their pets. The fact that I can make a fine living, that's just icing on the Milk Bone."