Dog Owner Chat! (for-fun poll added) (new chat)

[Bluebird22]

Okay, so I have been thinking about doing something similar, which means I have ideas for what to include
I have no idea for prices because they vary in each area
Buttt for the add here is what I would include: Start with basic info (duh). The classes offered and prices. Then go onto how much experience you have had training dogs, where you would train(park, your house, pet store etc.), and what methods you use. If room you could include a picture with your dogs.

Some things to figure out before discussing with owners might be how involved the owners will be in training, how long sessions would last, where your other dogs would be kept and who would watch your daughter while training, if there are any breeds who you would prefer not to work with or have certain requirements when training,and what days work best. I could come up with a little example of an add if you would like to see it (I could do the add as if I was offering training)

This will be so great and SO MUCH FUN!

[Cardinal]

Okay, so I have been thinking about doing something similar, which means I have ideas for what to include
I have no idea for prices because they vary in each area
Buttt for the add here is what I would include: Start with basic info (duh). The classes offered and prices. Then go onto how much experience you have had training dogs, where you would train(park, your house, pet store etc.), and what methods you use. If room you could include a picture with your dogs.

Some things to figure out before discussing with owners might be how involved the owners will be in training, how long sessions would last, where your other dogs would be kept and who would watch your daughter while training, if there are any breeds who you would prefer not to work with or have certain requirements when training,and what days work best. I could come up with a little example of an add if you would like to see it (I could do the add as if I was offering training)

This will be so great and SO MUCH FUN

Ermergerd, thanks. <333

It'll be a Sunday and Monday morning thing. ^^;

Eeeerrrmeerrgeerrdd.

[Onew~]

I've noticed that Asia should gain some weight. Probably just a combination ofvweather changes and her heat cycle, which happened a month ago or so. I'm not sure why, but she always loses weight during her heat cycle.

My mom told me I should give her some coconut oil along with some extra food so I've been giving her around a tablespoon of it a day, or every other day, it depends. We have a gigantic tub of organic coconut oil, so...

What is your opinion on it? Too much/too often/bad for her/good for her? ^^ I also give her a fresh egg from my chickens, usually every day or so. Sometimes even two.

[Imzadi83]

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.

[Cardinal]

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)

[Imzadi83]

Sounds like you have a great plan in place Cardinal. 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.

Most trainers where I am do basics or speciality things. I can do basic trainging myself but would love to see a more flexible class kind of thing where I could just work on things I don't know how to train or need help, or just learn fun new tricks in a safe group setting but there's nothing like that I've found around here. I'm without a dog now though so hopefully by the time we're ready for one something better will be available.

[Jazi]

Oh lord.

My breeder has a female available for co-own from this litter (original buyer backed out) and HNG I HATE HEATS BUT DOGGY

...it's gunna be a long wait.

[aura-]

Has anybody trained their dog with Bark Busters before? Cause we are using their "Bah!" method and my Golden doesn't seem to listen to me when I do it. Me and my Dad are the most respected ones in our house by him and he rarely listens to my dad when he does it.

Like here is an example; My Dad's girlfriend will bring her 7 year old daughter over and she will run up the satairs. well my dog (JJ) will run up after her. He isn't aloud up stairs for various reason. But anyway I will see him and instantly do the 'Bah' but then he stops running and starts to walk down the stairs and stops at half way and just sits there. I give another 'bah' and he refused to move. He just sits

Anyone have any advice?

[Cardinal]

Has anybody trained their dog with Bark Busters before? Cause we are using their "Bah!" method and my Golden doesn't seem to listen to me when I do it. Me and my Dad are the most respected ones in our house by him and he rarely listens to my dad when he does it.

Like here is an example; My Dad's girlfriend will bring her 7 year old daughter over and she will run up the satairs. well my dog (JJ) will run up after her. He isn't aloud up stairs for various reason. But anyway I will see him and instantly do the 'Bah' but then he stops running and starts to walk down the stairs and stops at half way and just sits there. I give another 'bah' and he refused to move. He just sits

Anyone have any advice?

Whats bark busters and whats 'bah' method? I'm extremely confused.

[aura-]

If you have had Bark Busters come to your house you would know exactly what I'm talking about. And the 'bah method. Other than that I'm not sure how to explain XD