Dog Training Calling?  − 1 April, 2008

I have been training dogs now, as a hobby, for over 15 years. I love it. Despite the fact that I have had several great dog trainers beg me to work for them, I have always kept my dog training a passion, rather than a profession. My biggest concern has always been that if I bring money into the equation, it no longer becomes an “I want to” but an “I have to.” I want to be able to work with who I want, and turn away those I don’t. When it becomes your career you really can’t turn paying clients away - for several reasons… the first is – it’s your bread and butter. The second is word-of-mouth marketing – you don’t want it getting out that you turn folks away. Maybe you are an incompetent trainer? Third, you will be sending the paying client into someone else’s office – they get your money.
I love helping people understand and work with their dogs. It gives me the greatest pleasure. I also like having enough time (and energy!) to work my own dogs. Taking on students limits that. As I do not make my money training dogs, I do not promote myself as a “professional” dog trainer. I am, however, skilled in understanding canine behavior, and I have taught many classes in basic and advanced obedience, and even canine communication to dog training professionals. I never went out looking to do these things – typically people approach me or through contact me through word-of-mouth and ask me to teach them. I hate turning people away – especially in this area, as there are so few really good dog people down here to learn from. I am flattered to get such a “following” but I also sort of feel guilty. Some of my good friends are professional dog trainers, and by rights, these people should be going to them, not me.
I usually refer people who contact me to my professional dog trainer friends. They have the facilities, the resources and the scheduled classes to accommodate students. I also encourage them to “shop around” and find the instructor who “fits” them. Unfortunately, often these people come back to me and beg me to help them. I say “unfortunately” as I hate to turn them away, but it does put a crimp in my own training. I often do not have the time and energy to work my own dogs.
So what do I do? Do I continue to work full-time at my “day job” and train dogs at night and on weekends, ignoring the needs of my own pack? Right now, it is a scheduling puzzle – I fit people in wherever I can, many of them totally rearranging their schedules to be able to make an appointment with me. Often, the scheduling does not allow for consecutive weeks – it becomes piecemeal – but, thankfully, I do provide my students with lots of resources and “homework” so they have things to work on continually.
Or do I take that “jump” and go ahead and become a full-time dog trainer? It’s such a huge leap of faith. What if I crash and burn? What if I have a catastrophic medical problem and end up not being able to physically train dogs? And with economy so bad, is it a good idea? It seems I keep getting pulled back in to training dogs, so maybe I should just stop resisting and go with it? I don’t want my life (or my house) to become overrun with dogs, though, and I don’t want it to become a chore or a hassle. I want to love it like I do right now. It’s just – maybe all these students are a sign that I am missing – that dogs are my calling…? I would love to hear some opinions… do I go for it and start forming my own dog training company or just keep it a hobby?

Comments:

edunn (April 1, 2008. 08:51pm)

I think you give it a shot. Who is to say that if you start forming your company and decide it isn't working out that you can't stop? I think it is better to try and know for sure than to wonder. Just a thought :) I know you would be incredibly successful.

edunn (April 1, 2008. 08:54pm)

I think you give it a shot. Who is to say that if you start forming your company and decide it isn't working out that you can't stop? I think it is better to try and know for sure than to wonder. Just a thought :) I know you would be incredibly successful.

peahayes (April 2, 2008. 12:11am)

I had the same realization that you have had -- that there are inherent risks in turning a passion into a profession. It can put a lot of financial pressure on something that had been purely a source of joy. That is not to say that you shouldn't do it. But I think you are wise to see the possible downsides. In your case, because of your health, you do need to be especially cautious. Only you can know what is right for you. Think it through very carefully. Ask yourself lots of questions. Make a very specific plan, with some Plan B's in case it doesn't work out. You are married, right? You have a safety net to some degree, then. Involve your husband in your decision. It will affect him too. He can also be a good source of advice -- he should know you well.