Daniel,
I'm currently training a dog for someone, and when he saw my dog he asked me to asess his dog and give him a realistic prognosis on his dog getting up to or surpassing where my dog is. I'v had a few clients as I don't care to be in it for a business yet, I'll save that for when I retire, meanwhile I'll continue to gain knowledge over the next 10yrs, But I am making a little on the side training dogs, and the big money maker for me has been my dog which has basically become my demo dog. This shows the person, look, I raised and trained this dog, and this is what I'm capable of producing given your dog has the right stuff. Of which you need to know how to asess their dog to offer the best potential outcome. Next you need to get out and build a resume. Network (believe me it takes traveling) I was up to driving 2 1/2 hours one way 2-3 times a week. Next, start competing, you don't have to be hitting every competitoin you can get your hands on, just start competing it's a good way to get your name out there. I just helped a guy with training who said, he heard of me from a guy I trained with a couple of times almost a year ago. Getting the certification, putting up a website, and saying open for business isn't going to get you rolling. So the bottome line my friend is the best way to convience someone without proof of a training school(which won't carry alot of weight) is to put the proof in the pudding. Train your dog as best as you can so he can be a testiment to your abilities, get small projects going. I had put up flyers on ATM's about dog training, I got a few call backs, and started holding a small training class at a secluded park. Keep documentation of your work. You can film the 1st day of training, and then film what you believe to be your last session with that particular dog. Get references. Try and find a club to start training with. Even if you have to travel a few hours on the weekends, Find seminars and start attending them, I did and when the cops realized I was in the same state as them and they saw the level that I had a 6mo old puppy at they wanted me to start helping them train. Even though I did it for free, They were happy with the problems I helped fix and now I have them to add to my resume, that was from proof not a certificate or website, get all you can. And I still have about 5-10yrs to go before I can be taken as a serious trainer. I hope this helps. I'd basically say slow down, and do it right the first time, you'll reap better outcomes in the end. Just remember to be successful IMO you have to build a resume.

thank you very much. I have already taken serval peoples advice on the name. I will go back to what it was. guardian angel that seems a bit better than wmd. Your information was very helpfull.

Anytime! I love business! And business loves me!

thanks again it all makes sense I appreciate all you guys. getting all this for free. I will continue to work with my dogs. if you know of anyone in the toledo bowling green area please let me know as this is where I will be once I am out of the army.

Kentucky? if so you have elite K9 up that way I believe in Paducah Also, I'll get some info together for you and when I do i'll send you a PM. There's alot of dog training going on up that way. You may have to drive a little on the weekends, but hey, keep networking and you'll eventually find someone knowledgable near you to train. I'm referring to New York. Take care there 10th mountain guy, I'm an 82nd guy doing a little instructor duty at Benning. OH! before I go, get with the MP's on post they won't be wealth of knowledge but you could get in the suit and start learning to catch dogs and what not if you haven't started that already. They're usually pretty cool about training with non-MP soldiers.

I am sorry the state is OHIO

Ok, I'll get back to you in within a couple of days, I know theres some good doggers that way.

Daniel, what I meant by "Reputation, Attitude & Confidence" has pretty much been covered by other posters now... but my summary is simple:

Reputation: Word of mouth is the best marketing in the world, building a reputation for having quality dogs, like with any specialty market, will take alot of time, the more you get out there and demonstrate your competence the better your reputation will get.

Attitude: If you have a friendly, knowledgable and patient attitude with people you will do well.

Confidence: It's like going to see a surgeon, then watch him look everything up in a book that he's gonna do to you, right in front of you, with this "oh wow I didn't know that" look on his face. I'd be out the door screaming in 1.7 seconds - you need to display confidence in your knowledge and your dogs and people will trust you.

I will never admit that I don't know something if I can avoid it - I will just absorb the correct information and know it for next time and appreciate the correction when I'm wrong.

thanks

QUOTE from Chris: I'd basically say slow down, and do it right the first time, you'll reap better outcomes in the end. END

This whole message is great advice. I saved it.