Progressive Canines Shaping India’s Pet Training Industry with Innovation and Strategy

1. How did your journey into professional dog training begin, and what inspired you to launch Progressive Canines?

CHANDRA SHEKAR MANTRAVADI: My journey into the world of professional dog training began not with a grand plan, but with a surprising, pivotal moment during my college days, when I was around 18. I was interacting with a friend's Dalmatian, a dog I knew to be incredibly friendly and playful. We were having a great time, and then, without warning, as I turned my back, he bit my hand. I was absolutely stunned.

Why would such a seemingly gentle dog do something like that?

That single incident ignited a profound curiosity within me. I became obsessed with understanding the canine mind—how dogs think, learn, communicate, and perceive the world around them. This deep dive into cynology became an all-consuming passion. Soon after the incident, I had the good fortune to meet a German Shepherd breeder who, sensing my burgeoning interest, generously connected me with other experienced trainers. This initial exposure to the professional dog training world only fueled my hunger for knowledge.

My quest for understanding then led me to seek out and learn from some of the best dog trainers around the world. From each of them, I absorbed invaluable "bits and pieces" of wisdom, rigorously testing various dog training methods and dog behavior techniques to truly grasp what worked best. This continuous learning process, a never-ending exploration of what dogs are capable of in our modern world, ultimately inspired me to launch Progressive Canines.

I started with a small, focused capacity, offering dog training and boarding for up to 12 dogs, in 2011 dedicated to shaping well-behaved, confident canines and informed, happy owners. Our focus remains on positive dog training, behavior modification, and fostering a strong human-canine bond here in Kokapet, Telangana, India. Today we care for 150 dogs in our 2 acres facilities with almost 60% open space regularly rated the best dog boarding in Hyderabad, with a team trained in force-free handling.

2. What is the core philosophy or vision that drives Progressive Canines, and how do you differentiate from others in the pet-training space?

CHANDRA SHEKAR MANTRAVADI: Our mantra is “Train the mind, honour the dog.” That translates into three non-negotiables:

1. Science before folklore – protocols anchored in modern behaviour science, force-free by default and minimally aversive only when welfare or public safety demands it.

2. Whole-dog wellness – every plan integrates nutrition, mobility, enrichment and vet- approved mental-health metrics.

3. Parent partnership – 40 % of every programme timeline is parent coaching, because a dog’s real classroom is the living-room.

These pillars have earned us a reputation—often topping best dog training institute in Hyderabad round-ups—for delivering outcomes that matter: calm vet visits, reliable off-lead recalls and peaceful apartment-block living. Add on-site hydro-therapy, scent-work labs, and an internationally certified PSA decoy team, and the differentiation is obvious even to a casual visitor.

3. How would you describe the current state of the pet-training industry in India? Are we evolving in terms of standards, techniques and awareness?

CHANDRA SHEKAR MANTRAVADI: Rapid adolescent growth is the phrase I’d use. Pet care services hit US $485 million in revenue last year and are on course to double by 2030 at an 11 % CAGR. Training is the fastest-rising sub-segment, fuelled by first-generation pet parents in Tier-2 cities.

Technically, the curve is encouraging: clicker training, cooperative care and fear-free handling have entered mainstream vocabularies. Yet only a fraction of practitioners hold recognised credentials, so quality is inconsistent. Regulation is still voluntary, but consumer awareness is forcing the market toward credentialed, welfare-driven services.

4. What global trends in canine behaviour and training do you think India is still catching up on—and which ones are we excelling at?

CHANDRA SHEKAR MANTRAVADI: India’s dog-training scene sits at an interesting crossroads. On one hand, we’re still chasing a few global currents. Concepts like co-operative care—where a dog actively consents to a blood draw or nail-trim—are only beginning to appear in metropolitan clinics. Scent-work sports that transform a hyperactive Labrador into a focused odour detective remain niche, and the tech revolution—virtual coaching, smart collars, AI bark counters—has barely scratched the surface outside big cities.

Yet in several areas we’re quietly ahead of the curve. Because Indian trainers interact with free-

roaming “Indie” street dogs every day, we possess a deep, real-world understanding of canine social behaviour that many Western counterparts read about only in journals. We’ve also turned scarcity into innovation: coconut-shell treat puzzles, tyre jumps and bamboo hurdles show how creative enrichment can thrive without pricey imports. Finally, India’s linguistic diversity has pushed us to teach multilingual cues—Sit might be “Baitho” in Hindi or “Kurcho” in Telugu—making first-time owners far more comfortable and speeding up the dog’s learning curve.

In short, while we still need to import more cutting-edge science and technology, our ground-

level ingenuity and street-dog expertise already give India a distinct edge in the global training

conversation.

5. For pet parents looking for credible trainers, what should they be checking in terms of certifications, methodology and approach?

CHANDRA SHEKAR MANTRAVADI: First, solid credentials: CPDT-KA, IAABC, KPA-CTP, PSA, or reputable Indian diplomas like BHARCS. Second, clear commitment to positive reinforcement and the LIMA framework—run from “guaranteed obedience in seven days.” Third, transparency: watch a class, inspect unedited videos, ask about continuing education. Finally, collaboration—a pro should gladly refer you to a vet behaviourist when needed.

6. Many aspiring entrepreneurs want to enter the pet-training space. What essential skills or qualities should they develop before getting started?

CHANDRA SHEKAR MANTRAVADI: Deep canine science, body-language fluency and behaviour-change principles. Human-coaching skills, because you teach people more than dogs. Business basics: P&L, digital marketing, CRM, compliance with municipal and AWBI norms. Networking with vets, rescues, and groomers. And grit—you’ll face 12-hour days and a chewed phone or two.

7. What kind of space setup and infrastructure is required to launch a professional dog-training facility in India today?

CHANDRA SHEKAR MANTRAVADI: Start with 5,000–10,000 sq ft for 20 dogs; scale to an acre for 100+. A 1,000 sq ft rubber-matted hall with mirrors and 12-ft ceilings. Climate-controlled kennels—25–30 sq ft per dog—plus agility course, sensory garden and isolation ward. Add 24/7 CCTV, bio-secure waste management, a vet room and all the paperwork: trade licence, Pollution Control Board clearance, AWBI registration.

This blueprint is exactly what underpins our boarding wing, widely reviewed as the best dog boarding in Hyderabad for its blend of enrichment and safety.

8. In your experience, what kind of investment—both financial and personal—is necessary to build a reputable training brand in India? Is it a lucrative business for an investor?

CHANDRA SHEKAR MANTRAVADI: CapEx ranges from ₹35–45 lakh for a boutique 20-dog set-up to ₹1.5–2.5 cr for a flagship 100-plus-dog campus. Monthly Opex sits between ₹3–18 lakh, and break-even typically lands in two to two-and-a-half years. ROI can cross 25 % annually once you bundle boarding, grooming, retail, and online consults. But remember: passion, process and patience drive those numbers—traits you’ll find at any successful dog training academy in India, ours included, where founders often spend two years on-site shaping culture, tools and talent.