Hi everyone,

I've decided that I would like to pursue dog training as a possible career in the future. I understand that I'll need loads of experience and practice and I'm working on that. My question is... how do you provide your service? As one of Ed's articles states, most professional dog trainers use forced training because it works quickly and they need to make money. Do you use forced training? Do you teach the dog owner how to train their own dog? Do you do sessions over a long period of time? It seems like providing the service of actually training the dog wouldn't work because most people these days expect results right away for their money. Thanks for all answers!

1. I marker train.

2. The owner is there at every session. Yes, the owner is learning too.

3. Depending on the results wanted, it may take more than a few weeks.

I'm talking about basic ob.

My two immediate recommendations to you would be to volunteer long-term at a shelter and to start watching the Michael Ellis DVDs, starting with http://leerburg.com/flix/videodesc.php?id=950

Thanks, I've already purchased and watched that DVD multiple times and I'm sure I'll watch it a few more. I'm currently in a kind of "apprentice" program with a dog trainer here in Charlotte. Unfortunately I signed up for it before I found this site and all of the great information provided. He mostly seems to be the crank and yank type of trainer so perhaps I'll look into the shelter idea, although he has provided me with some useful knowledge from his experiences. Thanks for the reply!

Don't have my own business yet but it is in my 5 yr plan so I've considered many ins and outs. My model would also be one of training people to work with their dog using a marker sytem. I would also go one step further than just working with shelter dogs (which is really a great way to enhance your skills and get your name out there). I'd adopt a fundamentally nice dog that has a few issues to work though. I've learned so very much about dogs through living and working with my own "issue" dogs. You're going to have customers with issue dogs and there's nothing like saying "I understand where you're coming from and this is what worked for my dog".

Thanks for the advice! I currently have a 6 month old GSD (really high energy) that I'm training and since I'm still learning, I'd rather not have two dogs to train in my small home. :P It is definitely something to consider in the future though.

 Quote: Wayne Hagan

Thanks for the advice! I currently have a 6 month old GSD (really high energy) that I'm training and since I'm still learning, I'd rather not have two dogs to train in my small home. :P It is definitely something to consider in the future though.

I had my own private training business for 5 years on the side and a police/military K9 import company for 2 years. Couldn't make a living soley on the training business even though I'm fairly well known in my county (where my business license allowed me to work). After my first year my business focus went 95% toward behavioral issues and not really "training" as most would envision it. You'll find there's a lot of moron dog owners out there that cause behavioral issues with their dogs and all they want is a GOOD dog mostly...not a well trained dog. You have to fix behavioral issues before you can begin to train a dog properly anyway. Usually when I fixed those issues the owner was very happy and I never heard from them again unless there was another issue. Some would argue that correcting behavioral problems IS training...I don't. I call it behavioral modification to re-balance a dog.

Getting started is going to be problematic if you are an unknown. People looking for a good trainer usually go by word of mouth and not the yellow pages. Dealing with owners is worse than dealing with their pets. Too many weak owners out there who think their dogs are fur babies. If you want to get your name out there, YOU have to get out there. If people don't know who you are they will not call.

One of the best ways to prove your training prowess is to have a "Demo" dog at home. You are on the right track with your GSD. I have the son of my 2nd PSD who was trained from puppyhood to do personal protection, off lead OB and tracking. I sometimes would bring him to my tracking classes to demo his skills for new students who seemed skeptical of their dogs ability to learn to track even though they signed up for classes. When they see their chinese hairless, mini Dachsund or Weimereiner actually track it really excites them. After that, word of mouth brings you more business. It's not something that's going to happen overnite. And don't quit your day job.

I've stopped training civilian dogs for the most part due to obtaining a new patrol dog that needs my undivided attention. Strange how my stress level immediately dropped. Only in severe cases where a dog with a behavioral issue will ultimately be PTS if not corrected will I help someone out. I just can't let that happen if I can help it.

I found a trainer who had been certified through the FCI, who (after 2 years as a student) was willing to take me on as an "apprentice".

I was originally taught some (old School methods) 11 years ago, but quickly changed to Positive Reinforcement training with fair, well time corrections and discipline as needed.

I apprenticed for 8 years after that before flying myself and my dogs to Europe to earn my own Certification through the FCI. We saw an easy 400 dogs a year for those 8 - 9 years. I also rescued and rehabbed (as needed) 25 dogs over a 5 year period. I found that experience is what truly taught me about handling dogs. When I was done being a glutton for punishment I got myself some VERY nice GSD's and changed my focus to competition sports

I have not opened my own business yet because I have been working on competing my own dogs and raising two litters over the spring. So I currently teach classess for our local Kennel Club. I have also done quite a bit of work with aggressive/reactive dogs, so will take those on as private lesson clients as time permits.

Word of mouth is my best tool - if you are good, people will share that.