[Anfester]

thank you herway thats the positive reinforcement i was lookin for!
lol naw all jokes aside i can put on a good poker face and be very professional when its needed thats why i say im not worried about that route, im sure ill take basic obedience courses get certified and find a shutz/PP trainer to mentor me, but my maine question was HOW MUCH DO THEY MAKE?

Have you thought about "volunteering" at your local shelter/humane society? Best place to get hands on and heaven knows those dogs could benefit from someone training them on basic commands.Makes them even more adoptable.

I'm probably going to stay one more MLB season with the team I'm currently working for but I'm seriously considering getting back into law enforcement (I'm a retired Deputy Sheriff) like with the ASPCA or humane society rescue unit.

I'm going to start volunteering at my local shelter starting in Jan 2010 to get some "hands on" and when the ASPCA has an opening apply for it.

[wmhardware]

i want NOTHING to do with the human society!

Have you thought about "volunteering" at your local shelter/humane society? Best place to get hands on and heaven knows those dogs could benefit from someone training them on basic commands.Makes them even more adoptable.

I'm probably going to stay one more MLB season with the team I'm currently working for but I'm seriously considering getting back into law enforcement (I'm a retired Deputy Sheriff) like with the ASPCA or humane society rescue unit.

I'm going to start volunteering at my local shelter starting in Jan 2010 to get some "hands on" and when the ASPCA has an opening apply for it.

[gusunsuth]

Your local shelters and humane societies have NOTHING to do with the HSUS. The HSUS doesn't operate any shelters...not one! They all stand individually, and the name "humane society" is just like the name phone or power company.

[Lotyqnag]

Your local shelters and humane societies have NOTHING to do with the HSUS. The HSUS doesn't operate any shelters...not one! They all stand individually, and the name "humane society" is just like the name phone or power company.

Correct!

I feel so bad for the local Humane Societies... due to the generalized name, Humane Society, they are assumed to be associated with the Humane Society of the United States and that can't be farthest from the truth. The local Humane Societies receive Absolutely NO Funds or anything from that disgraceful HSUS, whatsoever. I think the local Humane Societies need to change names because to many think their related with the national HSUS, it's really a shame.

I'd say what some others have already mentioned...find another Trainer to observe and help out with. Go to the Animal Services or your local Humane Society or SPCA and volunteer and work on the hands on experience.

[mvjvz]

i think you would make a wonderful dog trainer.

[iouiyyut]

... if you want to train/help train other people's dogs in the future, you may want to start training your own dogs to the top levels in whatever sport you are thinking about training someday.
Trainers often have more than the dog training job. If you want to charge top dollars, you better prove that it is worth spending those top dollars on YOU.
So.. my suggestion is: train at least 2 dogs to at least SchII and actually place in competitions. Have a resume of what you can accomplish with a variety of dogs. While you are doing that, you will get to know all the people you need to make it in their world. Without that.. plan on working at least two jobs permanently: one real one and one waiting for people who want to hand over money to you.

[toksenveste]

Good post Xdogs.... and I agree with Gala and PBH... the Humane Society gets a bum rap because so many associate it with HSUS. I've gotten 3 really great dogs from the HS, and the one here will adopt out 'pit bulls', but only to very selected, and well checked out, families.

[Anfester]

My local humane society (where I got Max) do "animal rescue" they had recently got a call to pick up a Golden Retriever that was left in an apartment,no food or water after his owner was sent back to prison.

Plus volunteering will help you "network"...alot of the shelters/local humane society work hand in hand with rescue groups....ie German Shepherds,Doberman Pinchers.
HSUS

[husartrof]

I'm pretty sure that very few dog trainers make much money. There are definitely Schutzhund/Ringsport/PP trainers that make a fair amount, but that's only after they've proven themselves. Many run dog related businesses, like boarding kennels, as well.
http://www.johnsoaresk9training.com/index2.html

http://michaelellisschool.com/

http://www.libertyk9.com/aboutus.htm

http://www.ca-k9services.com/

[Laqswrnm]

I do Natural Training with my dogs. You treat your dog like their mother would. The when as they get older you treat them how other dogs would. People are amazed to see a 57 pound dog submitting to me......but they don't know dogs...lol. I say if you want to be a trainer....go for it. I started by people seeing how well trained Dante is and asking me to train their dog. A lady offered me $300.00 to train her wild maltese. I only charged her $50.00. Right after that I got a crap load of calls from people this lady knew. Everyone was asking me to help with their dogs. Right after that I started volunteering at Animal Control. When I got there, there was no one to take the dogs out of the kennels for walks or just to spend time with them so I started taking them for walks and socializing them so they would be suitable for adoption. I volunteered about a year before they hired me. I still help people with their unruly dogs when I get the chance.

[drexigordiche]

I'm new here, thought I'd comment.

When I was searching for a trainer for my dog, Wilson, this was some of my criteria:

- Must be an AKC CGC certified trainer (there's a list on AKC's site of them). I went down the list and emailed every person in my area on it, and went from there. Main reason for this is I want Wilson to be CGC certified so I wanted a trainer that knew everything about it.
- Must have either CGC or TDI certified dogs, or have done SOME kind of work with their own dogs. I didn't want a 'Petsmart' type trainer that had no experience on 'paper'. Yeah you can have all kinds of real world experience, but at least do something to really prove you know what you're doing.
- Must be well educated and have gone to some type of school for dog training. I agree with the poster who commented about how you write on the internet.. if you (or anyone!) responded to me with the 'slang' used here when I emailed regarding training, I'd immediately delete your email.

I ended up choosing a guy who is just AWESOME. He went to Triple Crown Academy and was certified there. He also was a trainer/instructor at Triple Crown. He also attended workshops, etc. done by the International Association of Canine Professionals. He's trained over 300 dogs, and also has a Doberman that is shown in AKC and has his championship title. His other Doberman is CGC & TDI certified.

He charges $300 for a 6wk. (once a week for an hour - 1 1/2hrs.) private program, and to me, it's money well spent. He focuses mainly on basic obedience, but also does work with agility, Schutzhund, trick training, etc.

So there's what I looked for when looking for a trainer. I'm sure not everyone is as picky as me though You might want to look into Triple Crown; I've heard they're a great school and they should be able to teach you everything.

[diemeareendup]

but at least do something to really prove you know what you're doing IMHO: this is not a good indication of a good trainer yes they can train there own dog but can they train YOU to train your dog, they know what they are looking for their timing should be extremey spot on and it's there dog and they know how much practice it takes and will do the work, even during rain and snow
how can they motivate you to do that? do they have experience training people is a better judge plus do they have references?
some trainers don't make enough money, hence not a thing to get into unless you got some saved up until you get yourself going, it takes money to do competitive sport,or conformation/shows, a well trained dog with a CGC award is a good requirement, but it just proved the dog behaved on that day at that time, continuing education and a memeber of APDT is another requirement, and I know alot of show dogs who are outta control out of the show ring, and some are aggressive or submissive and socially stunted, but in the ring they were trained to focus on the handler (is your trainer the handler or is it a hired pro?).
just some info to think about

[drexigordiche]

IMHO: this is not a good indication of a good trainer yes they can train there own dog but can they train YOU to train your dog, they know what they are looking for their timing should be extremey spot on and it's there dog and they know how much practice it takes and will do the work, even during rain and snow
how can they motivate you to do that? do they have experience training people is a better judge plus do they have references?
some trainers don't make enough money, hence not a thing to get into unless you got some saved up until you get yourself going, it takes money to do competitive sport,or conformation/shows, a well trained dog with a CGC award is a good requirement, but it just proved the dog behaved on that day at that time, continuing education and a memeber of APDT is another requirement, and I know alot of show dogs who are outta control out of the show ring, and some are aggressive or submissive and socially stunted, but in the ring they were trained to focus on the handler (is your trainer the handler or is it a hired pro?).
just some info to think about

Oh yeah, I don't/wouldn't base everything on the things they've done with their own dogs, but it is a good indication that they're dedicated enough to do something with their personal dogs. Like I said, the man I chose as my dogs trainer has a long list of clients and I've never heard one negative thing about him (nor do I have anything negative to say about him). He has been awesome with Wilson & I, and has taught me a lot, no complaints there. He is a great people person, which is why we get along so well. My class is supposed to be an hour but half the time I end up staying for 2hrs. because we're talking about certain issues, etc. It's a great time and I look forward to going every week, and so does Wilson, which is even better.

His show dog is definitely not out of control. He's very well behaved for an 18 month old intact Doberman, IMO. He has played with Wilson a few times and they are perfectly fine, so I don't think he's anti-social. He's a well rounded dog, from what I can tell (although I'm by no means a pro). He does not handle him in the ring, he uses a pro. Now that he has his title though, I believe he's focusing more on getting him into some of the obedience and Schutzhund work. His other Doberman, a female, is AMAZING and one of the most well trained dogs I've ever seen. He uses her as his 'demo dog' and she takes her 'job' very seriously.

[Anfester]

I do Natural Training with my dogs. You treat your dog like their mother would. The when as they get older you treat them how other dogs would. People are amazed to see a 57 pound dog submitting to me......but they don't know dogs...lol. I say if you want to be a trainer....go for it. I started by people seeing how well trained Dante is and asking me to train their dog. A lady offered me $300.00 to train her wild maltese. I only charged her $50.00. Right after that I got a crap load of calls from people this lady knew. Everyone was asking me to help with their dogs. Right after that I started volunteering at Animal Control. When I got there, there was no one to take the dogs out of the kennels for walks or just to spend time with them so I started taking them for walks and socializing them so they would be suitable for adoption. I volunteered about a year before they hired me. I still help people with their unruly dogs when I get the chance.

That's what I'm hoping when I start volunteering.....thanks you just gave me inspiration.......

[iouiyyut]

There definitely is something to be said about good trainers needing to know how to instruct people. HOWEVER, if that great instructor has never been in anything but the basic courses for agility and plans to get me to competition level.. I'd spend my money elsewhere.

Training your own dogs builds experience with the sport and with the process of training... and shows you if you REALLY want to dedicate your life to agility/obedience/Schutzhund. That will translate into an understanding as to what your students need and what your student's dogs might need.

I guess, to be honest, I am just a bit amused about the OP's post to want to instruct people in something as specific as Schutzhund and Protection without having done anything in that direction with his own dogs before. Kind of like wanting to be a drill instructor without ever going through basic training. There is a whole life style to that, not just "so.. how much money can I make yelling at military peeons?".

And I can guarantee to you: unless you have credentials in Schutzhund, nobody is going to flock into your direction with money to waste.

[wmhardware]

the reason i say shutzhun or pp is because there are about ten thousand dog training (basic obedience) places in the area. so the competition is crazy with that. im guessing there are maybe 3 shutzhund facilitys in sacramento county alone.
so really the prices gotta be cheaper for basic obedience just because of the competition alone, to where if i were in something like shutzhund or something else of that nature, since the competition is lower that makes theyre rates higher than the regular pets mart sit pretty & roll over classes.
like i said i would like to do something that my hearts into, but i need my career to support my lifestyle also!

---------- Post added at 10:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:42 PM ----------

besides everybody i talked to say shutzhund training is dumb expensive!

[Anfester]

I guess, to be honest, I am just a bit amused about the OP's post to want to instruct people in something as specific as Schutzhund and Protection without having done anything in that direction with his own dogs before. Kind of like wanting to be a drill instructor without ever going through basic training. There is a whole life style to that, not just "so.. how much money can I make yelling at military peeons?".

And to get to become a Drill sgt (Army) or Drill instructor (Marines) you have to go to Drill Instructor School ...another round of being screamed at...........I was going to do that when I was in the Army....but nah......I wasn't to fond of all the get in your face- personal-time I was having with my drill sgt's when I first went in.......................

[iouiyyut]

Partially, from what I understand, it is expensive because of the equipment involved, club-fees, having to get extra insurance and doing it every day with less people (per week). And I am pretty sure that the trial entries aren't anything to laugh at, either.

Also, even though you may have less (business) competition than the "roll-over, sit pretty schools", you also have less people who are interested in getting involved in it.

[husartrof]

I think Schutzhund/Ringsport, have a fairly big word of mouth/reputation factor. The amount of expertise you need is just huge, too. There are trainers out there who don't have a lot of depth of skill, who aren't adept at training dogs that don't fit the traditional mold. I've paid a lot for bitework trainers, but I've been paying for expertise and skill. Skilled trainers use time efficiently, they convey info effectively to handler and dog, they're observant, and see problems and address them, before they become a pattern. They have a variety of ways to achieve a goal. I've had the opportunity to work with some excellent trainers, in a variety of sports, and I have tremendous admiration for them. They all had tremendous comittment to their sport, had titled a number of dogs, and had years of experience.

[iouiyyut]

I wasn't to fond of all the get in your face- personal-time

..calling it "personal time" is hillarious
I have not had personal "military experience".. am not from here and in Germany they have mandatory service for guys only. But I can appreciate what I have heard from hubby and friends.