As stated yesterday, Pippin (standard poodle) is ready for purchase for service or therapy dog. The most common response I recieved was that folks would absolutely love to have Pippin but could I lower the price. And I understand that does sound like a lot of money.......but when I took time to add up the total cost for a year, I was shocked.
So, I went through all of my records for this past year to itemized how much out-of-pocket cost I've truly incurred for one year. Here are some of the catagories I checked:
*Superior breeding cost
* Vet
*Grooming
*Training fees
*Residency training
*Raised with an existing service dog and the wealth of skills that provided
*Food & nutrition
*Travel & training
*various misc.
So, a conservative total is between $27,000 and $30,000. Let me just say that again, because a little vomit came into my mouth just then.
$27,000 to $30,000 total.
What price did I ask for?????
$18,500.
Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!
Let me take a step back and tell you my intention in selling a trained dog at a low price. Doing this will allow my blood pressure time to come back down to earth.
I am a dog behaviorist and trainer who gives temperament testing, puppy training, obedience, therapy, service & medical dogs, deaf dogs, problem behaviors, etc. My heart is heavy for folks who have a true need for an assistance dog but could never ever afford the $35,00 to $45,000 it costs to attain one. I see this day after day, and I feel awful at the dashed hopes of these folks. I found myself in a similar situation years ago when I needed one.
My thinking is that perhaps I can offer some sort of bridge to that need.
Although I'm not a big industry service dog training organization who trains many dogs in a facility all at one time, I can train a small number and make them available at a -let's call it a "clearance price". In doing so, I believe I can help a good number of folks fulfill their need of a working or assistance dog who would otherwise never be able to own one.
Okay, so for me, a lesson learned: Don't allow your big heart and good intentions to drive a ridiculously low price for a trained dog. I do, actually, have a need to off-set the large cost of a year. But, since I've already posted the price of $18,500, I will still honor that (though inside I'm kicking myself hard).
Take note ** I will not be making a blunder of that magnitude in the future. I do want to provide a bridge to affordability for working dogs, but let's not be crazy, right?
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