Making Big $$ On Dogs

GSDElsa · 12-09-2011, 06:21 PM

I've read a few negative comments on here lately and 2 weeks ago had someone make a flat out ruuuuuuuuuuuuuude

comment about someone I train with about being "out to make money" basically on doing the dog stuff.

Of course there is something wrong with being "into" dogs for the money and sacrificing the well being of the dogs. Doing things unethically, etc. But is there really that much of a stigma attached to making a good living off of being in the dog world?

While being in the horse (and now dog world) I've certainly encountered my share of borderline (or flat out) ethics issues that make a person all about the mighty $$ and other else. But I think very few people out there really truly have the gift to be a great people instructor AND dog instructor. And if you are one of them and want to make a great career out of it, then good for you!

And where do you draw the line on what you think is OK? I personally have no issue with said trainer being paid to train and title someone's dog for them. Yeah, I agree that the person doing the paying doesn't really have my respect. But there is nothing wrong, IMO, on the trainer's side. However, some people really take issue to people accepting money to train and title someone's dog.

LARHAGE · 12-09-2011, 10:07 PM

I guess coming from the horse world it's no big deal to have someone train and show my dog, especially since I was unable to train my dog last year, I chose to devote my time to my terminal mother and was her caretaker this last year of her life, as much as I love my dog it was a no-brainer for me, my Mother deserved no less, thankfully Julie his breeder came forward to assist me and made my life so much easier for me, my dog got the love, attention and training he deserved, and the time I was able to devote to my Mother was priceless, no regrets what's so ever. I always have sent my horses to the best trainers to train and show, I've always enjoyed seeing them compete, and am looking forward to competing again with my dog when he returns. I don't see why people would take offense to a person paying for training, sometimes life gets in the way and no matter what we may have intended, life has a way of getting in the way, if someone would only train and title their dog themselves, than that's fine, but it's certainly no more right or wrong than having someone else do it for you, some people don't have all the time in the world to do it, everyone has their own goals, I don't get this heavy handed judgemental mentality that only one way is the correct way, it's so ridiculous. Live and let live, to each his own, this isn't even an issue in the horse world where FAR more money is involved.

Klamari · 12-09-2011, 10:18 PM

Hey if I could make working with dogs pay the bills, I sure as heck would do it!

My trainer doesn't really make any money off club training with what he charges us, but he does run his own dog training/boarding business outside of the club. He trains police k9s, pets,..... I really don't see how whether they make a living, or even a lot of money, from training or breeding dogs really is a factor? If he's a good trainer, he's a good trainer. If he's ethical and people are willing to pay him for his time and expertise......what's the problem?

I make my living sticking needles into people, so I have no room to judge

onyx'girl · 12-09-2011, 10:19 PM

I personally think live and let live too...but I want to be the one training and titling my dog.
That is why I bought him, it wasn't about anything other than having a dog to work with and learn from. I put money into private training and pay to train(my club is not an annual type membership fee, it is a monthly charge regardless if I show up or not)
I support my trainers, but I want to be the one handling my dog. If they make $$ to help me learn, so be it. They do go to seminars, and bring back their knowledge to help me. But they aren't living off the profits of their help in training others, they may break even with travel, showing and keeping their dogs.
If I had a 3 on my dog by age two, I want to be sure that the foundation is solid and the dog will be able to do the 3 trial when he is 3,4,5...and get decent scores in all phases(and better scores as the dog ages).
I am not planning on studding out my dog of course, and I'm sure that plays into the pay to send out for titles/is there any other reason?

doggiedad · 12-09-2011, 10:30 PM

i don't see anything wrong with making
a profit from dogs as long as it's ethical.
breeders don't give dogs away, trainers
don't train for free, you can't board for free,
group classes aren't free, going to the Vet isn't free,
going to the rescue isn't free and so on.

onyx'girl · 12-09-2011, 10:41 PM

There is big money in holding seminars and it isn't just with the 'sport' crowd.
Private lessons...within the general pet population. I'll link this trainer and this is in an economic area that isn't as bad as the rest of the nation. I do believe she is extremely busy too.
http://www.tiptoptails.com/servicesfees.html

holland · 12-09-2011, 11:08 PM

It does not matter to me if someone either makes money training dogs or breeding dogs-don't think either is a bad thing. As someone who went to seminars I enjoyed them and it was worth paying money for

onyx'girl · 12-09-2011, 11:18 PM

And I bet it was worth every cent? If I go to a seminar, I am never disappointed...it is the ones I am not invited to or miss that are my regret.
This weekend is one(training) that is with my former trainer friend, but I'll miss it with regret. I'd love to jump down there after church! BUT, I'm not part of that 'group'...

Hrachia · 12-09-2011, 11:34 PM

At the end of the no matter what you do you got to pay your bills, and put food on the table for yourself and your family. So if you do what you love doing, and make a living out of it. The more power to you. I have seen countless trainers donate money they make from training to shelters and rescues to support as well. Its not a bad thing.

GSDElsa · 12-10-2011, 07:33 AM

If anything I have more of an issue with the people who are really just good at marketing themselves and are pretty clueless at the end of the day than the big time sport or working people..............

It bugs me a lot that people can esentially rope cluelss people in so easily. But the clueless people are at fault. To me, however, the trainers that overinflate their abilities or credentials to fit to how they market is enfuriating. I can think of several people in my area.

12-09-2011, 06:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
GSDElsa Crowned Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Central, NY Posts: 3,706	Making Big $$ On Dogs I've read a few negative comments on here lately and 2 weeks ago had someone make a flat out ruuuuuuuuuuuuuude comment about someone I train with about being "out to make money" basically on doing the dog stuff. Of course there is something wrong with being "into" dogs for the money and sacrificing the well being of the dogs. Doing things unethically, etc. But is there really that much of a stigma attached to making a good living off of being in the dog world? While being in the horse (and now dog world) I've certainly encountered my share of borderline (or flat out) ethics issues that make a person all about the mighty $$ and other else. But I think very few people out there really truly have the gift to be a great people instructor AND dog instructor. And if you are one of them and want to make a great career out of it, then good for you! And where do you draw the line on what you think is OK? I personally have no issue with said trainer being paid to train and title someone's dog for them. Yeah, I agree that the person doing the paying doesn't really have my respect. But there is nothing wrong, IMO, on the trainer's side. However, some people really take issue to people accepting money to train and title someone's dog. __________________ Justine, mom to: - Elsa - BrightStar Rescue - "Da Pookins" - Medo Aritar Bastet - "The Beast From The East"

12-09-2011, 10:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
LARHAGE Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Oak Hills, California Posts: 1,597	I guess coming from the horse world it's no big deal to have someone train and show my dog, especially since I was unable to train my dog last year, I chose to devote my time to my terminal mother and was her caretaker this last year of her life, as much as I love my dog it was a no-brainer for me, my Mother deserved no less, thankfully Julie his breeder came forward to assist me and made my life so much easier for me, my dog got the love, attention and training he deserved, and the time I was able to devote to my Mother was priceless, no regrets what's so ever. I always have sent my horses to the best trainers to train and show, I've always enjoyed seeing them compete, and am looking forward to competing again with my dog when he returns. I don't see why people would take offense to a person paying for training, sometimes life gets in the way and no matter what we may have intended, life has a way of getting in the way, if someone would only train and title their dog themselves, than that's fine, but it's certainly no more right or wrong than having someone else do it for you, some people don't have all the time in the world to do it, everyone has their own goals, I don't get this heavy handed judgemental mentality that only one way is the correct way, it's so ridiculous. Live and let live, to each his own, this isn't even an issue in the horse world where FAR more money is involved. __________________ INTCH, U-GRCH V Alta-Tollhaus Gavin schH3, UWP, KKL1a, OFA EXCELLENT, DM-Clear MHDW ( Most Handsome Dog In World) To err is human, to forgive, is canine.

12-09-2011, 10:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
Klamari Master Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: South TEXAS Posts: 596	Hey if I could make working with dogs pay the bills, I sure as heck would do it! My trainer doesn't really make any money off club training with what he charges us, but he does run his own dog training/boarding business outside of the club. He trains police k9s, pets,..... I really don't see how whether they make a living, or even a lot of money, from training or breeding dogs really is a factor? If he's a good trainer, he's a good trainer. If he's ethical and people are willing to pay him for his time and expertise......what's the problem? I make my living sticking needles into people, so I have no room to judge __________________ ~ Cayla 'Rayne' Karma v. Wildhaus (2/2011)

12-09-2011, 10:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
onyx'girl Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SW, MI Posts: 17,611	I personally think live and let live too...but I want to be the one training and titling my dog. That is why I bought him, it wasn't about anything other than having a dog to work with and learn from. I put money into private training and pay to train(my club is not an annual type membership fee, it is a monthly charge regardless if I show up or not) I support my trainers, but I want to be the one handling my dog. If they make $$ to help me learn, so be it. They do go to seminars, and bring back their knowledge to help me. But they aren't living off the profits of their help in training others, they may break even with travel, showing and keeping their dogs. If I had a 3 on my dog by age two, I want to be sure that the foundation is solid and the dog will be able to do the 3 trial when he is 3,4,5...and get decent scores in all phases(and better scores as the dog ages). I am not planning on studding out my dog of course, and I'm sure that plays into the pay to send out for titles/is there any other reason? __________________ Jane~ Kept by Onyx, Kacie and Gideon v Wildhaus aka Karlo Last edited by onyx'girl; 12-09-2011 at 10:23 PM.

12-09-2011, 10:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
doggiedad Crowned Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Jenkintown,Pa. Posts: 9,853	i don't see anything wrong with making a profit from dogs as long as it's ethical. breeders don't give dogs away, trainers don't train for free, you can't board for free, group classes aren't free, going to the Vet isn't free, going to the rescue isn't free and so on. __________________ "Life Without A Dog Is A Life Unfulfilled"

12-09-2011, 10:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
onyx'girl Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SW, MI Posts: 17,611	There is big money in holding seminars and it isn't just with the 'sport' crowd. Private lessons...within the general pet population. I'll link this trainer and this is in an economic area that isn't as bad as the rest of the nation. I do believe she is extremely busy too. http://www.tiptoptails.com/servicesfees.html __________________ Jane~ Kept by Onyx, Kacie and Gideon v Wildhaus aka Karlo

12-09-2011, 11:08 PM	#7 (permalink)
holland Crowned Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 3,634	It does not matter to me if someone either makes money training dogs or breeding dogs-don't think either is a bad thing. As someone who went to seminars I enjoyed them and it was worth paying money for

12-09-2011, 11:18 PM	#8 (permalink)
onyx'girl Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SW, MI Posts: 17,611	And I bet it was worth every cent? If I go to a seminar, I am never disappointed...it is the ones I am not invited to or miss that are my regret. This weekend is one(training) that is with my former trainer friend, but I'll miss it with regret. I'd love to jump down there after church! BUT, I'm not part of that 'group'... __________________ Jane~ Kept by Onyx, Kacie and Gideon v Wildhaus aka Karlo

12-09-2011, 11:34 PM	#9 (permalink)
Hrachia Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: California Posts: 27	At the end of the no matter what you do you got to pay your bills, and put food on the table for yourself and your family. So if you do what you love doing, and make a living out of it. The more power to you. I have seen countless trainers donate money they make from training to shelters and rescues to support as well. Its not a bad thing.

12-10-2011, 07:33 AM	#10 (permalink)
GSDElsa Crowned Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Central, NY Posts: 3,706	If anything I have more of an issue with the people who are really just good at marketing themselves and are pretty clueless at the end of the day than the big time sport or working people.............. It bugs me a lot that people can esentially rope cluelss people in so easily. But the clueless people are at fault. To me, however, the trainers that overinflate their abilities or credentials to fit to how they market is enfuriating. I can think of several people in my area. __________________ Justine, mom to: - Elsa - BrightStar Rescue - "Da Pookins" - Medo Aritar Bastet - "The Beast From The East"

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