Question: I have been shopping for a trainer for my German Short-haired Pointer. Can you tell me some things to look out for and what questions I should be asking the trainers I interview? Also, why is there such a wide range of prices from one trainer to the next?
Alan K., Brighton.
Answer: Well Alan, there's certainly no shortage of trainers today. When I started training in the early seventies, the choices were limited to mostly field trainers who took on the occasional hunting dog. Today, there seems to be a new trainer advertising unique or custom services in every magazine you pick up. My advice to potential new customers who call (after my schedule's been filled) is to find someone training for the type of dog you want. I wouldn't go to a competition-oriented field trainer if I wanted my pet trained to hunt the uplands with me. I also wouldn't take a shining prospect for the horseback trials to a part time, backyard trainer who works with the dogs after he gets home from work everyday. References are important but can be manipulated by giving out names of friends and of sure-bet customers who's dog had no real problem and was easy to work with. When asking for references, look for customers who live a long distance from the trainer. Ask for the names of people who had problem animals that were straightened out by the trainer.
Asking breeders may or may not be a good source. Most breeders will send you towards a trainer who's been complimentary towards their line. I have had some breeders send customers to me only if I don't give any negative evaluations. As soon as a negative evaluation has been given, I stop receiving referrals. In the dog world, there seems to be a ‘shoot the messenger' attitude. Many breeders suffer from ‘kennel blindness.' This malady prevents them from seeing or acknowledging any faults in the dogs from their lines. If a trainer or owner has any problems with the dog, it has to be because the trainer or new owner did something wrong, or made mistakes during the training process. This type of breeder will have a long list of trainers that they don't want you to see while pointing you towards their one ‘recommended' person. Talk to different trainers and go with the one you feel most comfortable with. If you decide to go to a seminar, find one with a small class. A seminar with eight or ten dogs will have you standing around most of the time. If the idea of training with a recognized trainer is why you're looking for, stick to the ones who have smaller groups. Otherwise, you may end up spending most of your time alone, or working with some assistant who knows little more than you, or even worse, standing around getting lectured to when you thought you'd be training.
Prices is one area that can be very confusing for a lot of people. First, all trainers have to earn enough money to live on. If they work another job for eight hours a day, their living expenses are paid for and they're training in their spare time. After putting a full day in at work, they're going to try and work your dog. A few years back, I had a part time trainer send me his brochure. I'd registered a German Short-hair and this person had a habit of sending his flyer to all the newly registered owners. His prices were less than half of mine per month, birds included. Wondering how a fellow could train for what a local boarding kennel charges for boarding, I called his number. His daughter informed me that he was a truck driver and wouldn't be back for two more days. This type of trainer shouldn't be handling more than one or two dogs. If the trainer has a regular job, whatever they make off of training is icing on the cake, so they're able to charge less for what's basically a hobby. You should ask to see where they train, how much acreage they use, and if they have the equipment to get the job done. As always, check numerous references and meet with the trainer.
When dealing with a professional, and in this case I mean someone who earns their living by training, one of the most important questions to ask is ‘how many dogs do you take in at a time?' You'll usually find a direct correlation between cost per month and how many dogs the trainer takes in per month. The next question is ‘how much time per day is each dog worked and how many days a week will the dog be worked?' A trainer with ten or twelve dogs in their string that claims the dogs are worked daily for an hour each is in need of a shot of truth serum. You'll find that trainers with large numbers of dogs are working the dogs every other day or every third day. The per-month costs of these trainers will be less, but you'll find they require double the time to accomplish the task. Many of these types of trainers will have a three-month minimum, but most of the time you'll be getting four to six weeks of of actual training.
A string of eight to ten doges in July or August means the trainer has to try to work some of the dogs in oppressive heat. The hot summer months usually allow for three to four hours of training time in the working and maybe two in the evening. The rest of the day is so hot that the dogs can't function. Some trainers will only work with the owner the day the dog is picked up. Try and find a trainer that's willing to work with you throughout the training procedure. After all, you'll have to handle the dog yourself when you're out hunting. Quite often, the owner is making mistakes in handling the dog that the pro should be able to point out.
A trainer with only ten or twenty acres to work will have a tough time working on field handling problems. A rangy dog being brought into a working range for the foot hunter will need to be worked in a rather large area, fifty acres or more. All of these things cost money, so buyers beware when the cost seems too low.
Charlie Linblade
Mighigan Wing Shooters Hunt Club
Michigan Pheasant Hunting
Michigan Bird Dog Training
