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How much should I invest in my dog?

2K views 17 replies 11 participants last post by  Blitzkrieg1 
#1 ·
So I was just wondering how much you guys spent on your dogs training wise. I would like to have my pup trained in the 3 phases of IPO eventually. And I want to be able to trust that he can do each job pretty much whenever I ask him. Correct me if im wrong but when testing for IPO you have to test for each level. You cant just get a high enough score and be given ipo3. How much does each test typically cost? And is there ever a time where you stop training with a trainer and do it yourself or do you always train with a trainer. I feel like after you have worked with a professional trainer you begin to pick up things and become efficient in training your dog.
 
#3 ·
If you are referring to his leg. He seems to be normal with no limp. Running around and playing like a puppy should be. We are still going to an orthopedic specialist Monday just to make sure everything is ok. But if you are referring to training he will be 10 weeks tomorrow. I've started him on clicker training and all we have been doing is eye contact and a little bit of sit. So yes we have a long way to go.
 
#4 · (Edited)
I don't even want to think of the amount I've spent training. Fuel costs are the main factor, but I've paid to train for a few years and my focus was never the podium or national level competitions... I just love training and learning. Seminars are great, but costly, some of the competitions I've been involved in have no 'titles' to gain but more for fun.
Training with a trainer, IMO is important, because I like to be critiqued, challenged and held accountable for my techniques. I'm still learning, always will be. Thick skin is necessary.

I won't add up the weekly costs to train, I'd be found out by my husband if I posted that anywhere, lol
 
#6 ·
10 weeks is just a little bit early to start training maybe two or three weeks more would be a little better but that's just my opinion and also if the puppy is doing well. I can see going to a specialist for an office visit but I cannot see doing a bunch of tests if the puppy is running around in a normal fashion it just doesn't make sense to me you've already done everything you can and until the puppy show signs of needing veterinary medicine - I would just play it safe ?!>
 
#10 ·
And is there ever a time where you stop training with a trainer and do it yourself or do you always train with a trainer. I feel like after you have worked with a professional trainer you begin to pick up things and become efficient in training your dog.
I can't answer the questions regarding the costs of IPO trialing because I don't compete in that sport. I do know that it tends to be very expensive just in terms of gas money to get to and from practice sessions, and that people in our area frequently travel from two or three states away to enter trials -- and this is in a region that's pretty dense for dog sports. Gas, hotels, tolls (on the East Coast), and other travel expenses will eat up a big chunk of your budget if you get seriously into any dog sport.

In my opinion, no, there is never a time when you stop working with trainers. Even the best of the best are always going to seminars and studying under other top-level trainers to get feedback on what they're doing, learn new techniques of approaching old problems, and see things from a fresh perspective.

My personal experience has been that the longer you're in it, the more time and money you spend seeking out and training under the best possible instructors. You might find yourself trialing more frequently and in higher levels of competition, too, and that's also going to eat up more money on everything from gas to entry fees.

It's more expensive to chase a UDX than a BN, and it's more expensive to chase an ARCHMX than a RL1, because you have to enter more runs per day, the runs are harder, and you need double or triple Qs to count toward your title (so if you fail any individual run in a set of two or three, bam, your whole day is wasted. No points!). In IPO, once you leave the world of club competition and move into Regionals and Nationals, I imagine it's probably pretty similar. More time, more money, more stress to compete. You work harder to win and those wins come more rarely.

So pretty much if you get sucked into the world of dog sports, IME it can easily balloon into a huge investment, because as you get better, you will set the bar higher and higher, and that costs exponentially more money and time and effort.

It doesn't have to go that way. You probably won't need a trainer to help you teach a puppy Sit and Stay and so forth. But if you get hooked on competition, god have mercy on your wallet.
 
#12 ·
Right now I am not competing. I do not go to puppy classes since I do my own basic training.

I do however plan on doing therapy work with Arya, so there will be, if nothing else, fees to get her registered.

And if I do any agility with her, I plan on taking a couple classes before working on our own, so that costs money...

Really... I'm open to taking classes and lessons... but at this point in my life, I can't afford to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on training. :) Would love to do so in the future in either IPO or Schutzhund work.
 
#13 ·
First, glad to hear your pup is doing better!!! That is great news!!!

If you want to title your pup in IPO, it costs money. Gas and travel and club dues. Some clubs you pay the helper, some you don't.

Personally, I travel about 90 minutes to training once a week, if I can. My work and life sometimes makes that difficult. Or I meet with a friend and track and do OB.

You can expect to train with a club for 12-18 months before entering your first trial. But you can't be ready by just going to training, you gotta work on your own as well.

Trial fees are probably 55-75 bucks? Been a while so not sure about that, and you will probably have to travel to get to a trial.

Add in the costs for harnesses, toys, leashes, treats, and other supplies, it gets expensive. But if you love it, you love it, you get the bug.

If this is your first sport dog, you are going to need lots of guidance. It's a different world than pet dog training.

I am lucky that I am comfortable doing a lot on my own, OB wise. But I still need my friend in my ear, telling me my dog is crooked, drop my arm, turn left, and other stuff I just can't see by myself.


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#14 ·
I'm with Jane- I don't even want to guess what I've spent on training. I joined an obedience club that's inexpensive-$30 a year- and the classes are that price for members. Herding lessons were $20 and I went twice a week, now they're up to $25. Mirror Method training that I'm doing now will break down to the same $25 a class- twice a week for 8 weeks.
 
#15 ·
Let's see: Arkansas club dues were around 350 a year but it was near me and a huge space. I could go out any evening for field time and for a while some club members got together one night a week as well as the standard Saturday. It was nice to have the wall, the jump and the blinds all available - as well as indoor plumbing for the human! On top of club dues, we had 90 DVG dues. Seminars could range to $50 for observation only to $300 -- 350 for full participation on a two to three day seminar.

Now that I have moved dues are less (under 300 for everything) but it is a three hour drive! I've decreased to every other week although I'll probably bump back up come summer. I'm also planning to build my own jump and wall & blinds as I have a fair amount of space here. I'll still go down fairly often.

If I retained anything from the seminars, they would be useful but I fear most of it has gone. What I do have is what I got from working with a very helpful club member week after week. That was incredibly valuable.
 
#17 ·
I'm afraid to add up the cost....My pup is only 6 months old..
Fuel cost is my #1 concern.....$75 everything I go to the club...4 hour round trip....Just started going to the club...

Training equipment has cost me a few hundred total...I tried to look at everything I would need in the future and went ahead and purchased it. Not all of it....

X-Rays will be coming up here before long. I'm sure I will need some personal training here in the future also. Learn a lot at the club, but everyone works their dog, so it's hard to find the time for much one on one.. They did come out onto the field and told me what I was doing wrong, but I have a long ways to go and many mistakes to be corrected more than likely. I would think a few personal trainer sessions would fit in nicely...
 
#18 ·
Club dues 500 per year. Gas to go once a week 25. Equipment ball and tug - 30, leash, prong - 30. If you want to really compete and title early you must study at home an on your own. Obedience and tracking even some foundation helper work. Rent vids MEs are good and read lots. Work a little everyday.
Two types of people at the club, the ones that take 6 years to title bh/ipo 1 and always have a poor score or the ones that have a 3 by the time the dog is 3 and are always trying to win regionals/nationals.
 
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