Imzadi83 wrote:Cardinal - Find out what other trainers (espically clicker trainers and more esp ones who use the clicker correctly) are charging. (Also check out their websites to see how they word things) Talk to owners who've used other trainers and find out what they liked/didn't like about them.
If you're lacking professional training experience and degrees/classes whatever your fee should be on the low side. But as you gain experiences (and references) you can always increase. You may want to consider offering to lock in new clients at the low price, that might be a good marketing tool in the begining.
I love that the first session is free. Personally as a consumer that would really give me incentive to try someone out as a trainer. Communicating with the humans is going to be the hard part. Reminding them nicely that they are responsible for not undoing all the trainging you do is important. Be clear what they're paying for, what behaviors you're going to teach, what problems you're willing to deal with. Will you stick with them for the dog's lifetime? In person or just phone consultations? Will follow ups be full price or less?
Make sure to leave time for talking with the owners. They may want to chat about all kinds of doggy things. You obviously can't let them drone on forever but you may want to allow them some time to discuss whatever dog related issues are on their mind. Wether you think you are or not, to them you're going to be their expert on all things dogs.
Oh, will you be bringing treats? If so make sure the dog can eat them, as you already know I'm sure, not all dogs can tolerate/ or like all things. If they're providing the treats make sure you aprove and that they understand they're responsible for the prep and it needs to be done before you arrive. You don't want to arrive only to have to spend ten mins cutting up pupperoni. And speaking of prep you may want them to delay a daily meal or remove the dogs food if they free feed an hour before you arrive. It's all up to you of course but it will make you look a lot more professional if you decide on all of this before you start talking to new clients.
Thank you! <3 I was honestly thinking 25ish a session and 15-20 for repeates.. or something. Something affordable! and for the session to have an hour or so time frame, NOT THAT ONLY TRAINING will take place since I figured owners would jabber.. xD Its so strange because living in a city, one that has so many things geared towards dogs, we really have NO trainers. We have a handful of vet behaviorists, I know of two freelance old school dog trainers, and only two~ trainers that use +R.... All of them charge an arm and a leg, except one that no one knows about and I only found after extensive exhausting research.
The only other thing is we have classes geared towards Rally, competitive OB, agility and one starting up very soon focusing on scent work. These are all under the AKC and if you don't have a registered dog, they're not open to you.. Which can be VERY off putting to some people.
The first session is free because I can't imagine how much training will actually get done. It'll be more meeting them, meeting the dog, seeing the problem areas then speaking with the owners. Charging the clicker, if they want to use one. Explaining my methods, why I believe my methods are 'right', asking them their opinions. Basically a big chat fest. Getting a feel for the dog, a feel for the owners, what they expect of me.. All that fun stuff. If its something stupid easy like 'sit' or 'down' or stuff along those lines give them the know-how so hopefully they don't NEED ME. Ultimately, as silly as it sounds.. Thats what I want. Owners with the knowledge of basic canine learning process and how to problem solve.
If Juniper were.. not a puppy.. I could see her being my 'helper'. Instead Lucky will have to fall to that. She's ssssooo easy going, derpy, and mild temperament. She's been bullet proof around all kinds of puppies.. Besides.. Even if she bites she had no teeth to do damage.. (That was a joke.. xD)
Around $25 a session sounds reasonable to me. I get what you mean about not wanting owners to need you. You want them to be able to train their own dog cause they have to maintain what you're doing when you leave. 
