Guides
Guides for dog trainers
Practical advice on the work around your sessions: notes, homework, intake, policies and pricing. Many come with a free template to go with them.
How to write dog training session notes
Session notes are the record of a training plan: what you tried, how the dog responded and what comes next. Here is a structure you can finish while the session is still fresh, and how to keep your private observations apart from what the client sees.
How to get clients to do their dog training homework
Much of a dog’s progress happens between sessions, so homework matters. When clients don’t practice, the cause is usually the homework itself: too much, too vague or too easy to forget. Here is how to set homework that fits into a busy week.
Behavior intake: what to ask before the first session
A good intake questionnaire lets you plan a first session that is safe and useful, and it shows clients you take their dog’s history seriously. Here is what to ask, and how to ask it so people answer honestly.
How to write a dog training cancellation policy
Late cancellations and no-shows cost you a slot you can’t refill. A clear policy, shared before the first booking, protects your time without souring the relationship. Here is what to cover and how to word it.
How to price dog training sessions and packages
Pricing is one of the hardest parts of running a training business. There is no right number for everyone, but there is a sound way to reach yours. Here is how to work out a price that covers your time, and how to present packages so clients understand them.
How to write session reports clients actually read
A session report reminds clients what they learned and what to practice, and it shows the value of your work. Long, technical reports go unread. Here is how to write one that clients read on their phone and act on.
Starting a private dog training business: a checklist
Good trainers often find the business side harder than the training. This checklist covers what to decide and set up before you take paying clients, so you can focus on the dogs.
How to keep behavior case records you can share with a vet
Behavior cases often involve a vet, and sometimes a veterinary behaviorist. Records that are clear, dated and factual help everyone working on the case, and they protect you. Here is what to keep and how to write it.