I am seriously considering starting my own training buisness locally. Right now I dont have a 'facility' for the time being this buisness would be run out of the back of my truck, whereas instead of the dogs coming to me, I go to the dogs and train at their owners residences.
My training from the start is primarily going to focus on basic obedience and getting the dog to be a family companion - but for those that want a hunting retriever I can do that as well.
Id love to have a facilty but that is just not feasible right now. The reason for this sudden start of full-time training is that I think there is a need in this area for it that can be ful-filled and the added fact that I am having a very difficult time finding employment - so I think finding a way to work for myself may be the best option.
First of all would $9-10/hr be too much to charge? My plan is that I will hope to have 6-8 clients at a time and spending an hour each day with the dog M-F, Saturday by appt. only with Sundays off. On top of that I would teach the owners some simple drills they can do to practice with the dog while Im not there. The only drawback on this is that I would be spending a good amount on gas and travel expenses as well as added wear and tear on my vehicle. The plus is that I dont have to mess with the upkeep and taxes on a facility on top of dog food and vet care.
I would be working with all breeds (as long as the dog doesnt bite I dont care but if the dog bites Im dropping the client like a hot rock) - not just retrievers.
This would cost the client roughly $60-70 a week for training. I would also draw up a contract for each client stating when payment is due and who pays what should I break something, the dog gets injured under my watch, or if something comes up missing on the property (not that anything would) and what would happen should I get a bad check/non-payment. Also because I am going to peoples homes (likely during the day while they are at work)- would I need to be insured and bonded much like carpet cleaners must be??
My basic OB training would include the following commands:
Here - heel- sit - down - kennel - quiet - all conditioned to the collar (stay is taught by extending the commands to mean dont move until I say otherwise) as well as socialization.
Advanced OB would include:
everything in Basic as well as preparing the dog for advanced work through force fetch.
Field Work would include:
acutally preparing the dog to run a hunt test at the started to seasoned level.
Right now my main focus will be the basic obedience until some people start taking interest in having a fine-tuned retriever. Again I will work with all breeds.
I plan on placing ads in the paper starting in January as Im sure several people will have bought 'Christmas Puppies'. and place a flyer at the Post Office, community center, and grocery store. I'll also have some buisness cards made out. Its a good thing I can do most of that on my own with my computer knowledge that should keep advertising costs to a minimum for right now.
Does anyone here have any suggestions to where I can fine tune this a little bit more?
My training from the start is primarily going to focus on basic obedience and getting the dog to be a family companion - but for those that want a hunting retriever I can do that as well.
Id love to have a facilty but that is just not feasible right now. The reason for this sudden start of full-time training is that I think there is a need in this area for it that can be ful-filled and the added fact that I am having a very difficult time finding employment - so I think finding a way to work for myself may be the best option.
First of all would $9-10/hr be too much to charge? My plan is that I will hope to have 6-8 clients at a time and spending an hour each day with the dog M-F, Saturday by appt. only with Sundays off. On top of that I would teach the owners some simple drills they can do to practice with the dog while Im not there. The only drawback on this is that I would be spending a good amount on gas and travel expenses as well as added wear and tear on my vehicle. The plus is that I dont have to mess with the upkeep and taxes on a facility on top of dog food and vet care.
I would be working with all breeds (as long as the dog doesnt bite I dont care but if the dog bites Im dropping the client like a hot rock) - not just retrievers.
This would cost the client roughly $60-70 a week for training. I would also draw up a contract for each client stating when payment is due and who pays what should I break something, the dog gets injured under my watch, or if something comes up missing on the property (not that anything would) and what would happen should I get a bad check/non-payment. Also because I am going to peoples homes (likely during the day while they are at work)- would I need to be insured and bonded much like carpet cleaners must be??
My basic OB training would include the following commands:
Here - heel- sit - down - kennel - quiet - all conditioned to the collar (stay is taught by extending the commands to mean dont move until I say otherwise) as well as socialization.
Advanced OB would include:
everything in Basic as well as preparing the dog for advanced work through force fetch.
Field Work would include:
acutally preparing the dog to run a hunt test at the started to seasoned level.
Right now my main focus will be the basic obedience until some people start taking interest in having a fine-tuned retriever. Again I will work with all breeds.
I plan on placing ads in the paper starting in January as Im sure several people will have bought 'Christmas Puppies'. and place a flyer at the Post Office, community center, and grocery store. I'll also have some buisness cards made out. Its a good thing I can do most of that on my own with my computer knowledge that should keep advertising costs to a minimum for right now.
Does anyone here have any suggestions to where I can fine tune this a little bit more?