I will be starting to train someones dog who has problems. My issue is what are some of the things I should do when I train someones dog?

Example: Take notes, journal, is there a program I can get that works well for this. Just business type of questions.

thanks

 Quote:

I will be starting to train someones dog who has problems. My issue is what are some of the things I should do when I train someones dog? .....Example: Take notes, journal, is there a program I can get that works well for this. Just business type of questions. ....thanks

For any small business, there are administrative things to take care of first, depending on your state and local licensing requirements. For example, you might need a D.B.A. license if you're an owner/proprietor; you might have to collect and pay over sales/use taxes if you sell equipment or supplies. You'll want to think about liability and other insurance.

I would get a step-by-step small business guide, unless you are already an accountant or the like. (It helps me a lot in self-employment that I was already an accountant....... if not, a one-hour chat with one might be invaluable.)

Here's your state's startup guide. It looks like the one for my state, which is very detailed and helpful. (Remember that a book about a certain business, such as dog training, will be generic and unable to address the requirements for your particular area.)
http://www.gorr.state.ny.us/Startbus.html

The SBA has lots of free stuff, too, but I would start with the NY site, and also I'd check online for your city and/or county government. Google the name of the city/county, then look for "small business" or "business licensing."

This is a book I've heard of a couple of times but have not read: not a dog-training book, but a dog-trainer's business book:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0966772628/104-7199105-7907936?v=glance&n=283155


http://www.dogwise.com/ItemDetails.cfm?ID=DTO194
has several books. There's one pictured at the top, then several more listed as you scroll down.

 Quote:

I will be starting to train someones dog who has problems. My issue is what are some of the things I should do when I train someones dog?

Example: Take notes, journal, is there a program I can get that works well for this. Just business type of questions.

thanks

I forgot to say that you'll want to keep very good records of all startup costs and continuing expenses. Keep your checkbook perfectly, because it's amazing how much you can forget at year-end.

Get a little notebook for the car, in which you log your starting mileage and all miles clocked for business use. Also keep all vehicle expense records: insurance, fuel, repairs, tolls, interest on car payments, etc. That way you'll have the raw material for both ways of deducting vehicle costs at year-end. You or your tax preparer can then determine which is better for you: actual expenses or the standard mileage rate. If you start now and keep both, with the notebook of mileage records, you'll be much happier next April 15.

You'll be way ahead of the game; I've found that most new-business people remember to start recording (or thinking about recording) those things around January of the following year. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

This is all just my opinion; nothing here is meant to be tax advice.

All very helpfull. I don't believe it is a money deal. Someone who I talked to that has a pitbull and 4 trainers couldn't do anything wouldn't help her out so I said ok. They are my breed of choice. I figured I would start some of my business habits with this even if it doesn't amount to a money transaction. Thanks again.

Side note any good computer programs that I can use for journal.

If the dog is aggressive or could become aggressive, get a lawyer to make up a waiver of liability that - among other things - that you reserve the right to defend yourself from an aggressive dog. I know of a trainer who's reputation was damaged after he defended himself from an aggressive dog -- The dog died of a heart defect soon after. The media caught the story before the autopsy (sp?) was done. ...

I always keep a training record. I write down progress, planns, mistakes, good ideas and keep detailed notes on minor injuries (like a scrape from a metal buckle on a collar, for example). If I train a dog at the dog park for 5 minutes, I keep a record. I have a friend with a digital camera who takes photso when I train with dogs that are not my own, I take a lot of video footage as well. CYA makes good sense. (I am also slighty paranoid <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> )

Thanks for everything. I tried to ask this guy if I could apprentice. Just to learn the biz. He said no because he didn't want me to take his business. Whatever. I am in the army and will not even be here. So I appreciate everything. I have lots of questions. But thats enough for now.

thanks again

cool thanks for the info

 Quote:

Thanks for everything. I tried to ask this guy if I could apprentice. Just to learn the biz. He said no because he didn't want me to take his business. Whatever. I am in the army and will not even be here. So I appreciate everything. I have lots of questions. But thats enough for now. ...thanks again

There are other ways to get in the door of general obedience training (although the apprentice/intern way is a good one).

One way is to volunteer at a shelter and gradually demonstrate so much training know-how with the non-aggressive animals that the shelter starts to trust you with "staff only" dogs. (At many shelters, volunteers aren't allowed to handle dogs who have been deemed agressive.)

Even if that doesn't happen, the adopting humans have been known to admire the effect a volunteer has on the dogs and to ask the volunteer about paid training.

The same thing has been known to happen with people who help out in grooming businesses, kennels that take pets while the owners travel, vets who hire kennel attandants........

And maybe best of all is helping one person with one dog so well that word spreads.

If I were you, and if I were pretty sure I wanted this line of work, I would get some cards printed up. You can do that yourself with any word processing program and the blanks with the smooth-edged divisions. Better to spend the $8 than to wish you had.

You never know when you will be asked for your telephone number, and looking for a pencil and the back of an envelope is so much less cool! <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> JMO!

The funny thing is This would fall into the category of a friend can tell a friend. She has several friends who have pitbulls. Two, she is a groomer. Thirdly she was referred by a vet. That could be alot of referals. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />