Charge for putting SchH 1 title on a dog - Page 2

I remember a few people coming all the way down from Alaska to events in CA for titles, Korung, shows...

Again, I charge $1200./mo. + expenses (travel, entry fee, show handler fee) no matter what I am training for. Figure a month if the dog's protection work is up to scratch and its in decent condition (not too fat!).

I will be available to handle in a few classes at the Canadian Sieger Show http://www.gssccnational2008.com/  as well this year. Contact me for info at wkgdogs@gmail.com       Entries (online only) close July 14.

I do not check my PdB PM's often.

SS

I normally do not charge by the month, but by the title. I do not do quickie titles and normally the written contract is for one year of work. Bonding with a dog takes at least a month to two months, sometimes more. Training is usually a year long or more, and my prices are not close to what others here are charging and I board the dog, take care of all medical requirements while a dog is here *(vaccinations, worming etc.,) and feed a high quality food. Dog is cared for in a state of the art facility and given lots of opportunities for exercise and socialization and play.  If my club has an AD, show and a breed survey, that can also be included in the contract price for a little more. Shipping the dog is a cost borne by the owner , of course.

I require a personal evaluation of the dog or video that shows me specific things I request. Many owners think their dog has the ability to do the work, but the dog comes poorly prepared and has little foundation. Others are better. But I have learned the hard way NEVER to accept the description given of the dog by the owner or someone else, be it in a rescue dog I am considering taking or a dog coming for Schutzhund training. Once I see the dog or a video I can give a fairly close estimate of what the time length will be and quote a price.

Hmmmm, maybe I better raise my prices...It is a lot of work to do quality training. 

Veronica,

the four are not at the same place. Except for two (and one of them is only there fore breeding not titling), they are all with individual people. People I have known and are not "commercial" trainers. This way, my dogs have families to live in. For example: My Teejay-son Marko is the best friend of his trainer's grandchildren, and they only have an older female besides my Marko. The trainer already told my parents (who went to visit and see our dogs) that his grandkids will have a tough time parting with Marko when he goes back home. They have had him now ever since he was 7 months old. Our black 9 month old Paska-son Onyx is now in a similar home in Germany. While it was a hard decision to let them go for so long, I know that this is an assurance of a better foundation for them. They have so many opportunities to socialize and train. Much more than I can give them, and for the two males, that is important. Marko is now 18 months and going for his SchH1 soon and Onyx is in a working orientated club.

I agree with Hodie and would never pay by the month. That is too unpredictable. It is one thing to pay boarding for a female in Germany waiting to get bred, because that dog is already titled, or paying for a youngster to be raised, but as soon as the dog is old enough for training (usually at 15 months), I stop paying monthly fees. The only thing not included in the one-time fee is medical expenses.

Chris

Let's see: my last dog in the USA earned his BH within less than a month and his SchH1 and his BS during the next 2 months! All in all, he went from nothing to SchH3, IPO3, KKl 1"a" in about 7 months--no "midnight" or "sweetwater" trials.

Of course,I did his foundation training at home and put his AD on him before sending him off for training. The charges were by the title--not by the month--I provided his food and paid for entry fees and occasionally for travel costs.

Had I been charged by the month instead of by the title, this may have cost me $10,000-12,000! It is no wonder that people send their dogs abroad for training/titling.

Back in the 60's when I was a novice trainer, I took my first female to her AKC UD by the time she was 13 months--in 11 shows. She took only 6 weeks to train /title to her AKC TD.

If the dog isn't titled in a reasonable amount of time, I cut the monthly fee in half or less, basically only only charge for board. If the dog doesn't look like a good candidate for titles in 4-8 weeks, I sent it home. No good trying to make a dog do something it doesn't enjoy. I know a lot of kennels that charge more than I do just for board and basic obedience. That's why I'm driving an old '97 Aerostar instead of a nice new SUV.

SS

I believe I paid a non-refundable fee of $300 for the first month's evaluation period. I the dog passed muster, this sum was applied to his titling fees.

You have a great thing going there Chris. 

I've paid package deals myself.  But it was asked what the going rate was, and I do know what I've been quoted in that venue as well.

Hodie, you are right...it doesn't sound like you are charging enough for high quality training and care :-)

Veronica

I have fielded WAY too many phone calls lately from people sending dogs overseas, either getting them back untitled, in terrible condition, for "additional fees," or not getting them back at all. NO recourse in foreign courts, or too expensive to persue... This is why I have a waiting list, and I don't blame people for being wary after some of the horror stories I'm hearing.

SS

Wo, I'm happier than ever that Blitz is mentally challenged. Not sure I could afford to have him titled .

I too will keep a dog longer than a contractual period if for some reason the dog does not title. For example, I have a dog here now who has injured a leg. I don't think it is serious and he has been evaluated by a vet, but we will wait to resume really active work. So his title may end up being delayed. Even though injury is always a risk and was not due to anything we did specifically, I try to do what I say I am going to do and it is not about the money for me. It is for the fun of it. I also have a dog here now who was sent for SchH training who has rare seizures and whom his owner did not know about. He has been here for a long time and I am charging about 1/7th of what I would make if his kennel was rented to a client for boarding. But this was not anticipated and in good faith, I will not take advantage of his owner. As for evaluation, yes, I too have a clause in the contract which states that after a certain period of time with me that if I think the dog is unsuitable for a SchH title, I will tell the owner that and the dog can be returned with a loss of a very small prorated portion of the negotiated fee. By seeing the dog or video, I know generally what to expect, but it is also important to get that bond and then work directly with the dog on some aspects of training to get a real sense of whether the dog will work or not.

As for sending dogs abroad or here, yes, I know in both situations dog who have been returned emaciated, ill or worse. I know excellent and competent trainers and kennels in Europe who care about the dog and I know some here too. But sadly, there are some in both places, including our last example, Ray Jeffers in North Carolina, who don't take care of the dogs placed in their care. 

I always like to see people try to learn about the sport and title their dog themselves. That being said, it is a steep learning curve for a novice and filled with pit stops. Some people are very, very busy with work or family and choose to send a dog to someone to train. The important thing, like in all aspects of the breed, is to know the person you will send the dog to.

Blitzen, you told me Blitz was uninterested....otherwise, hell I would have helped you out LOL!