It's Official!!

I am now a professional dog trainer. Actually, tomorrow I will be a professional dog trainer, because I have a private lesson with my first paying client at 10 am tomorrow. She is getting a very good deal since she is my first client, and also because she convinced me to give obedience lessons to people who compete, and not just basic obedience for pets. So I didn't feel it was right to charge her full price, since I wouldn't be charging her at all if she hadn't convinced me otherwise.

So to all of you who think I'm strange for doing so much dog training, and attending so many shows... you might be right, but at least you now also see the realization of the goal I am working towards. Of course, I train and attend shows because it is fun and gives me something to do, but maybe it makes my family feel better if they can explain my obsessions as, "Ah yes. She's at a show this weekend. She has to maintain visibility to help establish herself as a professional dog trainer."


I am VERY excited to start training! Now, when people see me working my dogs and ask me, "Are you a dog trainer?" Instead of trying to explain that yes, I train my own dogs, but no, I don't train dogs for other people, I can say, "Yes! Let me sign you up!"

There is the nagging doubt that I might be a terrible instructor, but Kate reminds me that beginning people will definitely know less than I do, so it will all be good.

Hmmm... a professional dog trainer who competes always needs an "up and coming" new prospect. Can anyone say "Puppy!"? He, he...