Dog Health Questions: If I am a new dog trainer how and how much should I charge?

I just moved to San Jose, CA for my 9-5 job, but I wanted to do some dog training on the weekends.

I don't have any official qualifications, but I'm quite good: I trained my friends dog to open the refrigerator, grab a beer and bring it to me. Simple tricks I can teach dogs in a few minutes.

I was going to advertise home training visits on craigslist, but I'm not associated with any business so I don't know where to start. I'm not looking to make a killing, but I would like some reasonable compensation for my time. So how much should I charge?

And then how should I charge? (By the trick? Per hour of my time? Any other ideas?) If I had my preference, I would like to teach exotic tricks instead of the basics. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks

Using an Electric Dog Training Collar to Train the Recall

Recommended Answer:
Most trainers charge by the hour- at least the ones that do in-home training.

Like somebody else said, most people who are seeking a dog trainer to come to their home are looking to solve behavior problems. People who are skilled at training their own dogs to behave properly are usually also skilled enough to teach tricks to their dogs as well.

Keep in mind too, you're going to be dealing with a wide variety of dogs. Some dogs are more easily motivated than others....there are some dogs who just don't have the temperament to learn tricks, let alone the "basics". Even professional trainers have dogs they simply can't "reach" for whatever reason. So before you make promises & take people's money, be sure you can deliver.

You may want to consider offering your services for a low price- enough to compensate for gas- at least until you develop a reputation & get some actual experience under your belt. Once you have references & a reputation, people will be willing to pay more. I know I'd be willing to pay a qualified pro a LOT more money than I'd be willing to pay to the "average guy" with a few dogs' worth of training experience. (Nothing personal :) Heck- I have more than a "few dogs" worth of training experience; I've done competition Obedience & Agility work, and am currently apprenticing with a professional trainer....but I still don't feel right about taking anybody's money to train dogs.....lol.

Everybody has to start somewhere, but dog training is one of those things where you generally have to start at the bare bottom & work up. Success does not come easily. I wish you luck :)

The Praise and Reward Dog Training Method

• I just paid $75 for 8=50min classes


• I can only see you making money by selling your services to local dorms. Most people don't go to trainers to teach their dogs tricks. The go for obedience and behavioral issues, neither of which you seem qualified to do


• you can chare by the trick or hour . look at the person asking for training, driving a lexus? charge more. driving a beater charge less.
  do some investigation of the dog trainers in your areas and go from there


• If you are serious about becoming a dog trainer, you need to go out and get a dog and then put a whole bunch of titles and certifications on it. Better yet, train and show your own dogs, of several different breeds, for ten years or more. I need to see that you actually know what you are doing and that you have experience with many breeds of dogs in a wide variety of dog sports.
  
  Are you qualified to break up a dog fight that occurs in class? Correct owner-directed aggression? What's your view on choke chains, pinch collars, head halters and clickers and why do you hold those opinions? How would you train a herding dog to retrieve a dumbbell or a hound to get their nose off the floor and "watch" their owner on command? What are four ways, other than treats, to reward a dog's good behavior? What are four correction techniques and when are they appropriate to use? At what point would you counsel an owner to have their aggressive dog destroyed? When would you kick a dog/owner out of class? Are you offering a basic manners class to pass the CGC test? Basic obedience to work towards a CD? Fun obedience towards an RN? Agility? What style of agility, NADAC, USDAA, AKC or a combination?
  
  I would charge $0 until I answered all of those questions.
  
  Also remember that you will need liability insurance.


• No official qualifications??
  
  You can't charge much .
  
  Be careful how you advertise and have a legal contract with clients in case you get sued. It happens every day.
  
  Be aware also that most folks looking for training help have an out of control aggressive dog that they can't handle. That's why training for the trainer is so important.