What kind of dog are you wanting to train? Some breeds can be more stubborn than others when it comes to teaching. Also I like females because the pick it up quicker and retain it.
There are exceptions to everything so don’t battle my opinions lol.
I couldn’t believe what trained dogs go for, but once I started hitting the circuit I understand and there is not a lot of money made by the trainer that is getting titles. Now he he’s training 10 dogs, there is money to be made.... but also that’s a shit ton of work.
I’ve done the math on what a weekend of trying to get two passes with a motel because it’s not real close to the house. The cost is around 500$. Most levels are two weekends considering you pass both Saturday and Sunday.
I would suggest you start at the lowest level and go up from there. Professional trainers skip some levels and depends on what the client wants. Most will start in the finished level and have to do extra weekends because the dog don’t have the title below. Also they most likely won’t pass everyday and will have to run extras.
Running test is very addictive, exciting and frustrating. I get butterflies lol. You can train your dog and it does perfect, take it to the test and your wondering who swapped your dog out cause your dog acts differently. The venue is totally different than the home setting. Lots of people and dogs, duck calling, whistles and gun shots. Also you will run into that “asshole” judge. Yes I have learned my lesson.
I ran my dog in started and got 4 passes. Of course my dog was way passed that level when I started. Then I went to seasoned. First day she blew the field away and one of the judges said to put my dog in his truck lol. The next day (different area and judges) well this mofo started cutting dogs left and right. Sunday’s there are ready to go home... you get the point. Everyone said my dog should’ve earned a pass but we went home tail tucked. The next weekend at a different event a month later, my dog got another pass. Sunday my dog thought she could do it on her own. That second part of the day was the easiest test I’ve seen and I was asked to pick my dog up (meaning we wasn’t going to pass. Rightfully so because I had no control over my dog. A different dog showed up Sunday lol. Cost me a season title which I was trying to get before hunting season. It’s all good but I was disappointed, not with my dog but with me. You see these test will show the trainer the holes in you training, things that you didn’t cover well enough.
So with all this said I hope I explained it well enough. My journey with Pearl continues and I’m excited about it.
For the record I’m not a professional trainer nor would I send my dog off to be trained. The process of training my dog is what it’s all about.