
Have you always wanted to do private training, but didn't know how to go about it? This guide is like having a friend explain it all. You'll start with exercises to assess your current skills, learn about sales and scheduling, and view sample phone scripts. Then it's on to the ins and outs of taking a history: questionnaires are broken down into lifestyle, training and behavior issues, and include explanations of what your clients' answers might mean. You'll get pointers on designing lesson plans and protocols, tips on promoting client follow-through, and an entire chapter devoted to commonly asked questions. There's even a bonus section with ready-to-use forms, contracts and handouts!
- Pros and cons of selling single sessions vs. packages
- What to do if an owner cannot perform an exercise correctly
- Which exercises should never be done back to back
- Which questions are crucial to ask in aggression cases
- How to work with two dogs in a home
- Special considerations for working with elderly clients
- Whether to offer discounted rates to shelters or rescues
- How to handle a recommendation for euthanasia
- Where to get further training on behavior issues
...and much more!
Customer Review: Fantastic book for dog trainers
I purchased this book when I'd already been in business as a professional dog trainer for almost 3 years; I found so much helpful information, especially regarding contracts, lesson packages, and history forms and why I needed them. There were many other miscellaneous tidbits that transformed how I run my business as a whole. This book should be on every dog trainer's book shelf.
Customer Review: A must read before knocking on a client's door!
So many books are geared towards training methods and theory. This one is written for trainers planning on venturing into the realm of private training. It's well written and full of useful information, much of which one might not consider prior to establishing a business and taking on that first client. Especially helpful were Nicole Wilde's chapters on phone skills and scripts. These chapters would benefit anyone who conducts dog-related interviews on the phone regardless of whether you do private training or not. Shelter staff, volunteers and anyone involved in dog rescue can improve their interview skills with this book. Also included are business resources, sample contracts and sample history questionaires. A great return on the investment spent reading this one. Highly recommended.
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