[MyPemCharlie]

Well, I just spend most of the morning calling around dog training places in town. I can't believe how hard it is to find affordable training here in a large city.

I was trying to get in touch with a trainer the last two weeks who had Obedience classes starting tonight for a $200.00 fee. She didn't return any of my phone calls until last night. She has not updated her website, and the course has been cut by 33% of the sessions for the same price. Plus she told me she didn't renew her license to issue CGC certificate at the end of class. She also required 4 classes of "Sit", "Down", "Stay" basics which Charlie already knows. If I wanted to start Charlie at the next level (attention, walk on loose leash, etc), I could pay her $75 for a private evaluation (to make sure he knows how to sit...). Skip that.

This morning, I called at least a half dozen places to try to find someone in town who does the CGC test. A few people have yet to call me back, a few won't test without taking their expensive training. I finally found one training center who does CGC test about once every 3 months for a reasonable $7 or $15 (the receptionist couldn't remember the price) fee.

So <sigh> I'm going to continue with Charlie's basic obedience skills on our own, and see if I can get his CGC early next year. I need to find a few folks in some of the dog groups I have joined to help me work him with distractions.

If I can get his CGC certificate, then I can start him in less expensive intermediate to advanced courses and pre-agility.

Just frustrated and venting....

Seems like finding trainers was easier and (a lot) less expensive 10 years ago with my last dog.