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Upselling Training Services in Your Pet-Care Business | Gingr

Written by Gingr | 11/11/25 6:44 PM

If you're running a training facility or offering dog training services alongside daycare, grooming, or boarding, you already know this: Training isn't just about “sit" and “stay." t’s about building trust, driving loyalty, and yes, increasing revenue. Upselling is an effective way to offer more to your loyal pet parents and bring in more business for your facility. Let’s unleash the pawsibilities.

Why Upselling Training Matters

Upselling training services isn’t just a smart way to grow your business. It’s also a service to your customers. When you provide thoughtful add-ons or higher-tier services, you’re not just boosting your bottom line. You’re helping pet parents give their dogs the best possible experience.

With custom add-ons, and automated payments, upselling becomes seamless. No awkward sales pitches, just helpful, convenient options pet parents can select themselves during booking.

Plus, in a competitive market where pet-care facilities are popping up faster than treats at training time, differentiation is key. Offering targeted, well-marketed training upsells allows your facility to stand out for the quality of care and the depth of services offered.

The Mindset Shift: Upselling as a Service

First things first. If you’re thinking, “I don’t want to be too salesy,” that’s totally valid. But it’s time to reframe. Upselling should never feel like a hard sell. It’s an opportunity to:

  • Personalize the pet’s experience
  • Educate customers on their options
  • Offer solutions to common challenges

Think of it as guiding, not selling. When a dog parent sees how much more confident, well-behaved, or safe their dog could be with just one extra class, it’s a no-brainer.

Even better? When pet parents see results, they come back for more (and they tell their friends).

Tip #1: Offer Training Add-Ons at Booking

Whether it’s a puppy kindergarten refresher or a leash manners mini-class, offer training add-ons during the online booking process. Gingr makes this effortless with its self-service booking tools, allowing pet parents to:

  • Add enrichment or training classes with one click
  • Pay upfront with package credits
  • Select recurring training options for ongoing progress

Pro Tip: Use customer tags or notes to suggest appropriate classes based on behavior or past visits.

Add-ons that are well-labeled and thoughtfully named (e.g., “Confidence Boosting Social Hour” or “Leash Skills for Urban Dogs”) can feel more like must-haves than optional extras.

Tip #2: Bundle Services for Higher Value

Create irresistible bundles like:

  • Stay & Train: Combine boarding with daily training sessions
  • Groom & Learn: Offer basic obedience training while the pup is getting pampered
  • Daycare Enrichment Package: Add on focused training exercises during daycare hours

With automated pricing rules, your staff doesn’t need to do any manual math. Plus, your customers will love the simplicity of all-in-one solutions.

These bundles don’t just increase revenue, they build customer loyalty by creating a more holistic care experience. Pet parents will appreciate the extra attention, especially when it leads to noticeable behavioral improvements.

Tip #3: Use Report Cards to Promote Training

Gingr’s Report Card feature is a pawesome way to connect with pet parents. Trainers can share feedback like:

  • "Cooper did great during group play but struggled with recall—consider a 1:1 session to boost reliability."
  • "Molly was nervous around new dogs. Our confidence-building class might help."

Use report cards to start conversations and recommend services in a supportive, helpful way.

It’s not about pointing out problems, it’s about offering solutions. That shift in tone creates trust and positions you as a partner in each pet’s development journey.

Tip #4: Upsell in the Lobby (Without Feeling Awkward)

Train your front-desk team to:

  • Ask open-ended questions ("How’s walking on the leash going?")
  • Recommend services based on behavior (“We have a leash manners workshop coming up!”)
  • Mention limited spots for high-demand classes to create urgency

Keep visuals in the lobby (flyers, digital screens) updated with upcoming classes or enrichment programs. Bonus points if you include pet success stories!

Tip #5: Leverage Seasonal Promotions and Packages

Run themed or seasonal upsells that tie into common pet-parent goals:

  • Back-to-School for Dogs: Training refreshers when kids go back to school
  • New Year, New Pup: Behavior bootcamp in January
  • Holiday Manners: Prepping pets for family gatherings

Be sure to track performance. You might find certain promotions work better during specific months, giving you insights for next year.

Tip #6: Create Memberships with Built-in Training Benefits

Membership models not only build loyalty, but they also make upselling feel effortless. Examples:

  • Enrichment Club: Monthly membership that includes one group class and discounts on private sessions
  • Puppy Plan: 12-week membership with weekly training, grooming discounts, and free socialization playtimes

Recurring subscriptions drive predictable revenue and make your service more “sticky.” Customers are more likely to return if they’re already enrolled in a plan that includes exclusive perks.

Tip #7: Train Your Staff to Spot Opportunities

Upselling works best when your whole team is on board. Host regular training for your staff on:

  • How to spot training needs based on behavior
  • When and how to recommend services
  • Using your pet-care software to see pet history and preferences

Equip your team with scripts and use icons and alerts to flag behavior concerns so staff can respond quickly and appropriately.

Role-playing upsell scenarios during team meetings can make staff feel more confident and natural when speaking with pet parents.

Tip #8: Use Data to Drive Your Strategy

Reporting and analytics are the backbone of good, data-driven business. These insights can show you:

  • Which training classes are most popular
  • Add-on attach rates for training services
  • Customer booking trends and seasonality

Use this data to adjust your class schedules, pricing, and promotional strategy. When you let the numbers guide you, your upsell strategy becomes smarter (and more profitable).

You can also use this data to set goals for your team and celebrate wins when upsell metrics improve. Make it a fun and rewarding challenge!

Tip #9: Don’t Forget About Re-Engagement

Sometimes pet parents need a little nudge. Use email and SMS automation to:

  • Remind customers of unused package credits
  • Suggest follow-up classes based on training history
  • Announce upcoming events or promotions

Example: "Hi Jess! Scout did an amazing job in Puppy Basics last month. Ready to take it to the next level? Enroll in Intermediate Training today and get 10% off with code NEXTLEVEL10."

This keeps customers engaged and coming back for more.

Tip #10: Build a Training-Focused Brand Experience

If training is a core part of your business, let it shine! Make it clear across your website, lobby, social media, and customer portal that training isn’t an “extra”—it’s a cornerstone of how you support pets and their people.

Highlight trainer bios, success stories, and before-and-after videos. Use pet parent testimonials to build trust and show the transformation your programs deliver.

Feature ongoing training opportunities in your pet parent app. When customers see how much you value continuous learning, they’re more likely to enroll (and re-enroll).

Upselling Strategies that Build Loyalty

When done right, upselling training isn’t just good for your business. It’s good for pets and their people, too. It builds trust, strengthens behavior, and turns new customers into lifelong advocates.

With Gingr’s tools—from PreCheck and Report Cards to Memberships, Analytics, and more—you’ve got everything you need to create a pawsitively seamless upsell experience.

So, go ahead. Guide, don’t push. Serve, don’t sell. And help pet parents discover the full value of what your training services can offer.

Ready to grow your training program and boost revenue? Book a Demo with Gingr Today!