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Jul 2020

Last Updated: 20/07/2020

Business

Lockdown "puppy boom" means more dog start-ups in Harrogate

by Suzannah Rogerson

| 20 Jul, 2020

Lockdown has caused a "boom" in puppy sales leading local people to set up businesses in this new market. Dog training, accessories and grooming are just three of the areas being capitalised by Harrogate entrepreneurs.

Harrogate's "puppy boom" during lockdown has seen local people set up new businesses to capitalise on the new market.

More dogs and the needs of new pet owners has been the driving force for several new start-ups in Harrogate.

With more people working from home the number of puppy sales has increased. This is good news for local entrepreneurs who have been able to set up new businesses to work with the new dogs in the district.

New puppies increases the need for training, grooming and accessories - this has given a boost to business for three local business owners.

Holly Hamp has opened up Dog Spa Harrogate:

"I was working in a kennels and a lot of people aren't going on holiday so it turned into the right time right place. There are a lot of people doing the same thing. People have been getting dogs over lockdown but there are concerns with that too. There has been a puppy boom which means people need their dogs grooming and walking especially as they return to work."

Charlotte Wilson has put her work as a makeup artist on pause so instead set up a business making personalised dog accessories. She said:

"Its all based around personalisation anything from dog treats, bowls, treat baskets. It has been really successful, I didn't think it would go that well. I am wanting to grow it with staff, eventually we hope to sell more each day to employ people that had lost their jobs. A lot of people have just got a new dog so want to spoil it with new products. People are just mad about them! I'd never tried it before but I have three dogs and I thought what do I love and that was dogs, so I ordered the printer and set it all up."

Harrogate pet shop says they missed out on puppy boom because people purchased online goods instead.

Police have reported a rise in people being scammed when trying to buy puppies online.

Katie Bell has trained as a dog behaviouralist but worked as a dog walker until lockdown when she saw a niche for new owners needing to train their dogs. She said:

"Since lockdown I knew there would be a lot of dogs needing help specifically with separation anxiety as their owners return to work. I am getting another dog soon so I have set up a facebook group to provide regular training videos for people to follow at home. My enquiries have massively increased, I think since people have been at home more they have realised their dog or new puppy has behavioural issues. Now the rules have eased I am able to do training in people's gardens or indoors and I think that will only increase."

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Lockdown "puppy boom" means more dog start-ups in Harrogate

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