what to pay a trainer?

[LovenLifeGuy]

I have a 9 month old pup and have been working with a trainer. It is a guy I work with and he is our k9 officer but he also trains the k9's for work (he is very good). He has been working with my dog for a couple months now and doing a great job. We meet once or twice a week for about an hour and he works with him and I and gives me "homework" to do with the pup until we meet again. He has force fetched him, collar conditioned him and now we are working on some real nice finishing skills. We are working with birds everytime. I love what I see and both he and I are really pleased with the progress. The thing is that he told me from the start that I did not need to pay him since he does not train dogs from aug-march and I can use his services for free. He is a friend and a co-worker and I think that I should pay him weather he wants it or not. What would be a good amount to pay him for the work he has done? I do most of the work on the days we are not meeting but when I meet him he can make all my crappy training skills look like a pro in a matter of an hour. Any ideas from you trainers or people who have had dogs trained would be great, Thanks

Again, I am very pleased with the progress so far.

LovenLifeGuy

[JDM]

I have helped a lot of guys, with nothing in return except gratitude. I also don't expect anything and do it because I enjoy it. One guy did help me finish my basement though. That being said, if you feel that you should reward him, a gift, or the offer of taking him on an hunting trip over your dog may be more appropriate. If he wanted money, I am sure he would have been up front about it. Besides, you said it best - he is your friend. It sounds like he is doing a great job with your dog. Now that you are learning what to do, maybe you can help someone else some day?

A pro would charge you around $700 per month, but that includes boarding.

[gonefishin11]

If he is a buddy, maybe get him a gift certificate to his favorite restaurant or just buy him a case of beer. My buddies and I exchange help for beer often. Its not the item but the show of appreciation that means the most to a friend, in my opinion.

[Ufatz]

How about a high quality belt knife. Or a gift certificate to Russell Moccassin Co. for a pair of custom boots.Or a case of shotgun shells. Case of Makers Mark, Chivas Regal or Dom Perignon?

[LABS4ME]

I agree with JDM, a trip next fall to hunt together over your progeny! Assuming he is a hunter, take him to SoDak for some pheasants or NoDak for some ducks... or maybe you have some place where you have 'guaranteed' luck.

Second would be a $250 gift certificate for a nice sporting goods store. He will probably turn down cash and may be a little offended, but it's hard to turn down a nice gift certificate in a card with a quik note of appreciation.

Third assuming he doesn't hunt or have any use for a gift card form a big outdoors store, tickets to a major sporting event preceeded by a classy dinner at a nice steak house.

I'm sure you will come up with something that will give you satisfaction that you 'paid' you way and showed your appreciation. Just forego the cash route! In younger days I helped train a lot of friends dogs and did not expect any compensation unless I took the dog in for training including boarding. If I met with a buddy once or twice a week to work on force or CC, nothing was expected, but a token was appreciated.

Good Luck!

Ken

[LovenLifeGuy]

Thanks for all the input. He does not hunt or fish so I think I will try and think of a place to get him a gift certificate.

LovenLifeGuy