| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Love-in-a-Mist |
Posted - Sep 04 2007 : 8:31:39 PM
All right, I'm starting my own dog obedience training business. I know alot of people are working full time and don't have the time or the energy to train a puppy. I decided I would like to take 1 dog at a time. Bring it to the farm for a month or 6 weeks. Keep it with me as much as I can and teach it good manners and basic commands. And also coach the family in handling their dog. I want to make it affordable for the average family. What would you pay(or could you pay)for that kind of service? (I'm not trying to get rich)
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| 11 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Annab |
Posted - Sep 08 2007 : 03:40:21 AM
Training dogs is kind of like riding a horse, unless you do a little every day, it won't be worth anybody's time.
Here at the zoo even the elephants go through a morning training routine.
And if people don't have time to train their dogs/animals, I agree, don't bother getting the animal period. |
| Tracey |
Posted - Sep 07 2007 : 9:07:02 PM
quote:
But alot of people have come expecting the trainer to train their dog. Most of the time they don't do anything with their dog all week, except during class, then get discouraged with their dogs.
The problem with these people is that as soon as they get their trained dog home, they'll still not work with it and the same issues will arise within days. Not that it wouldn't be nice to earn the money...just don't go into it thinking this is going to solve the problems people come to you with. 
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| Annab |
Posted - Sep 07 2007 : 08:54:44 AM
I have spent 120.00 on two rounds of dog classes and 130. that included a canine good citizen test. Each set of classes went for 7 weeks for an hour and a half.
In years past I also sent a dog away to "reform school". The time away was a bit lonesome for me, but the difference was NIGHT and DAY!At the end of the 2 weeks, the instructors brought us back together then taught me how to further teach my dog.
Any bit of training we can do with and for our dogs benifits both parties. |
| Love-in-a-Mist |
Posted - Sep 05 2007 : 5:03:46 PM
Right now I am assisting in dog training classes. People bring their dog for an hour a week and get instructed on how to train them each week for 6 weeks.
I think this is a really good way of helping people and bonding with their dogs.
But alot of people have come expecting the trainer to train their dog. Most of the time they don't do anything with their dog all week, except during class, then get discouraged with their dogs.
I would take the dogs when they were around 4-5 months old, I think(I haven't sat down and figured out the best age). I would keep them in the house with us and socialize them to everything. Really working on their manners and leash walking stuff like that. I would let the families come when ever they wanted with in reason. And set up some kind of education/progress meeting every week or so with them. I would let the families decide what command words they want me to teach also.
Alot of people would not want to send their dog away, but I'm sure their are alot who would if they could afford it. Specially to a farm with tons of grass fields and a river. Thanks for your input girls. Take Care.
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| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Sep 05 2007 : 08:43:21 AM
$50 to $100.00 seems to be the going rate in this area, not really rural, mostly suburban. I would even pay $150.00 if the instructor came highly recommended.
That's great that your sister had such a nice experience. If I had a difficult time with a dog, I would go any route (or expense) I could to make sure that we were BOTH educated well.
Fortunately, my shelter dogs that noone wanted, or thought weren't worth anything, have turned out to be the best dogs I've ever had the pleasure to be guardian of. Just the basics for them, and as we've added over the years, the pack mentality really takes hold and the older ones teach the newer ones the ropes.
Oh, I also wanted to ad, when I worked at the rural shelter, our director offered obedience classes for anyone willing to come. 8 weeks, sliding scale, based on their income--if they needed that. I.E. if you make $20,000 a year, it would be $20.00 for you to attend your 8 week class. The goal was to help people KEEP they're dogs, to learn how to make a dog part of their family, not tie them out to fenceline. His classes were always crowded!
"She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian. |
| willowtreecreek |
Posted - Sep 05 2007 : 08:32:01 AM
Jonni I would agree with you but would go as high as 120 for an 8 week class. That's 15 per week. My sister paid like 500$ for a "dog whisperer" (not the guy on TV) She got 3 in home sessions that lasted as long as necessary according to the trainer with a minimum of 1 hour. They had 2 weeks between sessions and were assigned practice "homework" to do with the dog. The trainer also gives them "lifetime" advice via email or telephone and even made another house visit just after my sister's baby was born to help them adjust to the changes.
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| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Sep 05 2007 : 07:50:22 AM
Over the years, I've run across many different dog training types--the one I'm most comfortable with is going to a weekly class, for an hour, because that's really their learning threshold, sometimes even less before they become frustrated, for a cost of $50-80 depending. Usually the classes are 8 week classes. I've never even thought of sending my pup/dog away. I simply wouldn't--I don't trust people enough, frankly, regardless of their certification or what have you. I also firmly believe in the family unit--the sooner the pup is incorporated and trained BY the family, the better. Additionally, most classes I've attended require that ALL family members are present--it's never just going to be one person taking care of the dog.
From a consumer end, attending classes with your dog, watching the training (and trainer) is really key for me because if you don't like it, or agree with the method, or your pup isn't responding the way you feel they should, I believe it's your duty to find another trainer who you feel comfortable with, and can help your pup. An acquaintance (note: not "friend")of ours purchased her German Shepherd pup from one of these hoity toity high end breeders, who does that german training--the type that advertises dogs for "security and home" in the Cowboys and Indian Magazines (???), you know, for your ranch in Montana? Anyway, they took her pup for 6 weeks for training, and he's really not a dog that I would want around my family. He was nice enough, but he wasn't fun, and he really seemeds to have no spirit-- he was constantly on the job. He would be much better suited for the military. She recently returned him after 2 years to them. What a waste of a good little pup, and a TON of money! If she had been there to observe (or maybe read the materials a little more thoroughly) she might have understood that this wasn't what she wanted in a family pet.
"She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian. |
| Libbie |
Posted - Sep 05 2007 : 07:35:10 AM
Having a couple of small ones at home, I would seriously consider sending a pup away for 3-4 weeks if housebreaking was part of the deal! I've always had a dog - right now I have a loverly golden retriever - but babies and housebreaking/training a pup might just put me over the edge. I'm not sure how much to charge, though. Training a pup is hard work - so be sure not to sell yourself short!!!
XOXO, Libbie
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| willowtreecreek |
Posted - Sep 05 2007 : 05:28:55 AM
I personally wouldn't send my dog away. I would be willing to attend a weekly class or even have you come to my home for a night or two each week. I wouldn't give up my brand new puppy though!
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| Marybeth |
Posted - Sep 05 2007 : 04:57:11 AM
That is what I was thinking. A month of lost puppyhood. I think you actually need to work with the family and pup at the same time. Just a thought. MB
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| mikesgirl |
Posted - Sep 04 2007 : 10:06:08 PM
It sounds really good, except I don't know if I could be without my dog for that long. How would you handle the attachment issues? |
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