pookie
Well-Known Member
Given the economic climate and most people having to make cutbacks, would you say there's any call for dog trainers/behaviourists? I'm toying with the idea of offering my services 
Is there any call for dog trainers at the moment?
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Dobiegirl
Well-Known Member
I would say if you are well qualified and depending where you are good dog trainers will always be in demand.
Where I do my dog agility training the dog trainer also does obedience and he has a huge waiting list.
Where I do my dog agility training the dog trainer also does obedience and he has a huge waiting list.
CorvusCorax
Deary me...
Depends. You'll need insurance and some letters after your name to be credible.
There are a people buying completely unsuitable breeds for their set-up in terms of accommodation, exercise level and lifestyle, and because the 'in' thing today is to never put any pressure on the dog whatsoever and to let the dog make it's own choices, these dogs issues may never be fixed.
Equally some 'yank and crank' trainers will tell the owners that all the dog needs is lots of pressure. Which can lead to a broken dog with even more issues.
If I was going into a behavioural or training business now, I would specialise in certain breeds and certain issues - there is going to be a ****storm coming in terms of the amount of Arctic and working and large bull breeds and crosses of *all the above*, going into completely unsuitable homes.
Dogs which are poles apart in terms of personality and purpose but have been thrown together so owners will get 'the best of both' - OR - a herding breed bred to a hunting breed, yeah, confused, much?!
If I was going into a behavioural or training 'career' I would put fixing a dog before earning money.
Some dogs can be fixed in minutes with no cash exchanged/cash exchanged.
Some dogs can be broken in minutes with no cash exchanged/cash exchanged.
Some dogs will never be fixed but the owners will happily pay lots of money in the hope that it will some day happen.
It's a rant I have had on here a few times....yes, there is a need for trainers and behaviourists but for me they need to be 'real world' trainers and behaviourists, who won't apply (for example) Collie logic to a Cane Corso. Life isn't like that.
Like people, no two dogs are exactly the same.
One size does not fit all. Reading a book or going on a course does not equip you to deal with a large dog who will bite your arm and draw blood, but their world collapses around them when you give them a verbal correction.
Everybody has to make a living - always remember that when choosing a trainer or behaviourist - do what suits your individual dog.
There are a people buying completely unsuitable breeds for their set-up in terms of accommodation, exercise level and lifestyle, and because the 'in' thing today is to never put any pressure on the dog whatsoever and to let the dog make it's own choices, these dogs issues may never be fixed.
Equally some 'yank and crank' trainers will tell the owners that all the dog needs is lots of pressure. Which can lead to a broken dog with even more issues.
If I was going into a behavioural or training business now, I would specialise in certain breeds and certain issues - there is going to be a ****storm coming in terms of the amount of Arctic and working and large bull breeds and crosses of *all the above*, going into completely unsuitable homes.
Dogs which are poles apart in terms of personality and purpose but have been thrown together so owners will get 'the best of both' - OR - a herding breed bred to a hunting breed, yeah, confused, much?!
If I was going into a behavioural or training 'career' I would put fixing a dog before earning money.
Some dogs can be fixed in minutes with no cash exchanged/cash exchanged.
Some dogs can be broken in minutes with no cash exchanged/cash exchanged.
Some dogs will never be fixed but the owners will happily pay lots of money in the hope that it will some day happen.
It's a rant I have had on here a few times....yes, there is a need for trainers and behaviourists but for me they need to be 'real world' trainers and behaviourists, who won't apply (for example) Collie logic to a Cane Corso. Life isn't like that.
Like people, no two dogs are exactly the same.
One size does not fit all. Reading a book or going on a course does not equip you to deal with a large dog who will bite your arm and draw blood, but their world collapses around them when you give them a verbal correction.
Everybody has to make a living - always remember that when choosing a trainer or behaviourist - do what suits your individual dog.
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