- Trainers use four kinds of tools: general booking apps, all-in-one pet business platforms, accounting software and trainer-specific software.
- Judge them on the twelve jobs below, not on the length of the feature list.
- Work out the real monthly cost: plan + platform or booking fee + card fees + texts + any accounting app.
- Ask for a free migration of your clients before you switch.
The four kinds of tools trainers use
| Kind of tool | Good at | Where trainers get stuck |
|---|---|---|
| General booking apps e.g. Calendly, Acuity, Square Appointments | Simple self booking and reminders | No dogs, programs, class terms or payment plans. Invoicing and books happen somewhere else. |
| All-in-one pet business platforms | Daycare, boarding and grooming: capacity, check-in, packages, waivers | Built for many pet businesses at once, so training workflows are one module among several. Accounting is usually handed to Xero. |
| Accounting software e.g. Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks | Invoices, bank feeds, BAS, payroll | No bookings, classes or client files. You still need a booking tool and copy between them. |
| Trainer-specific software | Sessions, programs, payment plans, classes, notes and the books in one place | Newer and smaller. Check support, data export and the roadmap. |
A 12-point checklist
Take this list into any free trial. A tool that handles nine or more without workarounds will save you real time.
Getting booked
- Clients book from your real availability, or request a time for services you want to screen first
- Travel time between home visits is built in
- An intake form fills the client and dog file, with no copying
- A booking page you can share without a website, plus a button for your site if you have one
What you sell
- Packages and programs of any length, with "session 3 of 6" tracked for you
- Payment plans with as many instalments as you need, and automatic reminders
- Group classes with a size limit, a waitlist, terms and check-in on your phone
- Board and train or day training booked against how many dogs you can take, if you offer it
Money and the business
- GST tax invoices created from bookings, with card payments into your own account
- Payments matched to invoices in your bank, and a GST summary for your BAS
- Your data exports cleanly if you ever leave
- Client data stored securely and handled under the Australian Privacy Principles
Work out the real monthly cost
The plan price is rarely the whole cost. Add every line below for your own numbers.
| Cost line | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Plan fee | Monthly price for the features you need, not the cheapest tier |
| Booking or platform fee | A percentage some platforms add on every card payment, on top of card processing |
| Card processing | Usually Stripe or Square. Stripe charges 1.65% + 30c for Australian cards (October 2026) |
| Text messages | How many are included, and what top-ups cost |
| Accounting software | If the tool does not do GST and bank matching, add Xero or MYOB (Xero Ignite is A$37 a month) |
| Your time | Any job you still do by hand, times what your hour is worth |
Worked example. A trainer taking A$6,000 a month by card on a platform that charges a 1.4% booking fee pays A$84 a month in booking fees before the plan, card processing or accounting software. The same volume at a flat 0.85% platform fee is A$51. Percentage fees grow with your income, so check them before the plan price.
Prices as published in October 2026, AUD. Check each provider's current pricing page.
Questions to ask before you switch
- Will you move my clients, dogs and upcoming bookings for me?
- Can I keep my own Stripe account, so client money comes straight to me?
- What happens to my data if I leave?
- Who answers support, and how fast?
Questions trainers ask
What is the best software for a dog training business in Australia?
The best fit is built around how trainers sell: private sessions, programs with payment plans, group classes with check-in and home visits, with GST invoices and bank matching included. Run the 12-point list against any tool before you commit.
How much does dog training software cost?
Plans typically run from about A$30 to A$120 a month. Add booking or platform fees, card processing, texts and any accounting app for the real cost.
Can I use Calendly or a general booking app for dog training?
For simple bookings, yes. But general booking apps do not know about dogs, packages, class terms or payment plans, so those end up in spreadsheets and the invoicing happens elsewhere.
How PackOffice measures up
PackOffice is built only for dog trainers and covers all twelve points: self booking with travel time, programs and payment plans, group classes with check-in, GST invoices, bank matching and a clean export. A$59 a month for Solo, A$109 for Studio, and card payments at 2.5% + 30c all in.
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