[C.Ellegood]

I've started dipping into the retriever world this summer and I've had good luck with it. Already pleased a few guys with my training that's brought me pups. Words got out in my area that I've been training a few dogs and I'm starting to get a few calls from people wanting to bring dogs. There's always great advice on here so I thought I'd see what advice any of y'all established trainers have for a fairly new trainer and how y'all got started. What to expect and stuff like that. I enjoy training and have a huge passion for it.
Thanks

 

[Wayne Nutt]

Be patient with both dogs and owners. Establish a method for routinely communicating the dogs progress to the owner.

 

[Colonel Blimp]

From experience, even as an amateur hobby trainer you are likely to have some difficulties with folks expectations. If you make it a paying hobby or small business then you should conduct the business and yourself as professionally as you can. The bad rep can get around the district three times faster than the good vibes, and not everybody is automatically well disposed towards you; some have axes to grind. So as well as the normal things you do when running a small business i recommend this lot as a basic framework ......

Make sure your Public liability and legal cover is in place.

Have written agreement forms that your clients sign prior to taking a dog in, and on exit. These should cover their expectations quite precisely; you don't want people griping that you didn't teach angle backs or literal casting when you were asked to give basic handling. Or two sided heeling, or whatever.

Set agreed time frames and record them on the form above. Ditto any variable costs (birds etc.) feed bills, veterinary access bills.

Insist that all entrants into the kennel have up to date shots, and see the evidence for yourself; some do try and cheat.

To take Wayne's point, keep a general diary, and issue a form noting progress (or lack of it) on an agreed time basis. A verbal report doesn't cut it; people hear what they want to hear and forget the rest.

If your training includes the owners being taught to handle, video them as part of the learning process and critique the results together.

Rule number one ....... You will have more grief from owners than you ever will from the dogs.
Rule number two ....... Refer to Rule number one.

Keep smiling!!

Eug

 

[Terry Marshall]

Well Said EUG
The only thing I can add as a proffessional trainer is you might not be aware of all the equipment and assets one needs to really be a trainer.
In this country many trainers are part time, and that's OK if they keep their inventory low, but too many are greedy and take far more dogs than they can handle, board or train and end up warehousing dogs to the owner's dismay.
When I started training professionally I had 7 kennels, every $ went into my infra structure, today we have 32 kennels in a 4800 SF barn w a state of the art whelping house able to handle 3 bitches at once, 7 technical ponds all with a well connection, more wingers and equipment than most clubs, tractors, heavy equipment to maintain my 165 acres.
Start slow and put back, don't think of it as an income source but rather as the payment on your next piece of well needed training equipment.
We need more dog enthusiasts like you, good luck
Thank you and mine's a double pint

 

[C.Ellegood]

Thank y'all. Yea I'm nowhere near takin on a bunch of dogs. Just a hobby for now. Can I see an example of a form one of y'all use?

 

[Wayne Nutt]

I didn't use a form but emailed the clients each week. Later when I cut way back on number of dogs I would video their progress. Often I would post on Facebook or provide a DVD disc monthly.

 

[Jim Spagna]

I've started dipping into the retriever world this summer and I've had good luck with it. Already pleased a few guys with my training that's brought me pups. Words got out in my area that I've been training a few dogs and I'm starting to get a few calls from people wanting to bring dogs. There's always great advice on here so I thought I'd see what advice any of y'all established trainers have for a fairly new trainer and how y'all got started. What to expect and stuff like that. I enjoy training and have a huge passion for it.
Thanks

t
I would say that a primary concern....if not the most important...is to insure the heath and safety of the dogs. I think your biggest nightmare is to have a kennel full of sick dogs.
also, be sure to point that out to your owners.

 

[mjh345]

Well Said EUG
The only thing I can add as a proffessional trainer is you might not be aware of all the equipment and assets one needs to really be a trainer.
In this country many trainers are part time, and that's OK if they keep their inventory low, but too many are greedy and take far more dogs than they can handle, board or train and end up warehousing dogs to the owner's dismay.
When I started training professionally I had 7 kennels, every $ went into my infra structure, today we have 32 kennels in a 4800 SF barn w a state of the art whelping house able to handle 3 bitches at once, 7 technical ponds all with a well connection, more wingers and equipment than most clubs, tractors, heavy equipment to maintain my 165 acres.
Start slow and put back, don't think of it as an income source but rather as the payment on your next piece of well needed training equipment.
We need more dog enthusiasts like you, good luck
Thank you and mine's a double pint

Good advice!!