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Going rate for starting a puppy? (Starting pen rates)?

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 7:31 pm
by TOBY
I was wondering how much a week or month are people charging to start pups?? The local guy around here wants $100 a month. Seems a little steep to me? Or is that about right?

His 5 acre pen is at his house and dog food prices seem to be about the same.
Why would it be 50$ a month 4-5 years ago and 100$ now!!!

Re: Going rate for starting a puppy? (Starting pen rates)?

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 7:52 pm
by Big River Beagles S
Ive been paying a 100 a month for 7 yrs or so

Re: Going rate for starting a puppy? (Starting pen rates)?

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 6:22 am
by Walnut Shade Beagles
I would say that isn't too bad. I pay $60 a pup, that is to start them. Once they start he will call you to come get them! Could be 1 week could be a month. They say they will feed them but all my dogs come back very thin. At least the new guy I use only starts my dogs or anyone else's for that matter exclusively, the previous would have a bunch of dogs in the pen. I would be willing to pay $100 for a solid month if I could be sure they would be fed properly, and not in with a bunch of strange dogs that are fighting for food and who knows what else. Had more than 1 come back from previous guy that was not the same mentally as when I sent them.

Re: Going rate for starting a puppy? (Starting pen rates)?

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 9:38 am
by sanfordssj
most the people i know charge about $30-35 a week.

Re: Going rate for starting a puppy? (Starting pen rates)?

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 10:10 am
by Eva's Beagles
I charge $100 to start a pup, whether it takes 3 weeks or 3 months. My time, my pen, my food, my kennel, my rabbits.

Re: Going rate for starting a puppy? (Starting pen rates)?

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 10:44 am
by TOBY
Well I guess 100 a month is about right.

Re: Going rate for starting a puppy? (Starting pen rates)?

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 1:10 pm
by gun runner
Just leave that puppy right were it is and i will have her running with the big dogs.Do not need a trainning pen to start a dog just alittle time.We have all the rabbits you need.

Re: Going rate for starting a puppy? (Starting pen rates)?

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 2:19 pm
by TOBY
gun runner wrote:Just leave that puppy right were it is and i will have her running with the big dogs.Do not need a trainning pen to start a dog just alittle time.We have all the rabbits you need.
Time to solo a pup is hard to come by when its deer/rabbit hunting season. We might get her out twice a week. Thats not enough for a 8 month old pup. She needs to be worked 4 or 5 times a week.

Re: Going rate for starting a puppy? (Starting pen rates)?

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 2:45 pm
by smokedawg
$100 a month is a great price if he puts some good running time on them. I have always use the same man and for the last 5 years, it had been 30 per week. In 2012 he went up to $40 a week. That still aint bad as this guy puts them in the running pen all night every night so if he has them a week, they spend 7 nights in the rabbit pen. It would take me a month to get them out seven times. You cant beat the running time and rabbit exposure a 6 month old pup can get at his place. Also, dog food prices in my area has increased dramatically over the last 5 years. Now the dog food folks make mostly 40 pound bags and charge more than they charged just last year for the same product in a 50 pound bag. I wish I could leave one with my guy for a month for $100.00, it would be the best 100 dollars I every spent on a dog.

Re: Going rate for starting a puppy? (Starting pen rates)?

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 2:55 pm
by gun runner
TOBY wrote:
gun runner wrote:Just leave that puppy right were it is and i will have her running with the big dogs.Do not need a trainning pen to start a dog just alittle time.We have all the rabbits you need.
Time to solo a pup is hard to come by when its deer/rabbit hunting season. We might get her out twice a week. Thats not enough for a 8 month old pup. She needs to be worked 4 or 5 times a week.

Ok smart ass :moon:

Re: Going rate for starting a puppy? (Starting pen rates)?

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 3:21 pm
by TOBY
smokedawg wrote:$100 a month is a great price if he puts some good running time on them. I have always use the same man and for the last 5 years, it had been 30 per week. In 2012 he went up to $40 a week. That still aint bad as this guy puts them in the running pen all night every night so if he has them a week, they spend 7 nights in the rabbit pen. It would take me a month to get them out seven times. You cant beat the running time and rabbit exposure a 6 month old pup can get at his place. Also, dog food prices in my area has increased dramatically over the last 5 years. Now the dog food folks make mostly 40 pound bags and charge more than they charged just last year for the same product in a 50 pound bag. I wish I could leave one with my guy for a month for $100.00, it would be the best 100 dollars I every spent on a dog.
WoW 40$ a week. Thats steep. I guess 100 a month isnt so bad. Ive taken a couple dogs to this guy in the pass. He's retired now and works pups full time. He definitly works them hard. Usually morning and evening 4-5 days a week. Once he get them started he will keep running them hard for the rest of the month you paid for.

Re: Going rate for starting a puppy? (Starting pen rates)?

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 8:32 pm
by Harris MTN Magic
Where is this guy located at in MD I have a couple that need to be started Would like to give him a call

Thanks
Randy

Re: Going rate for starting a puppy? (Starting pen rates)?

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 9:01 pm
by bigdogs0074
I charge 25$ a week. Most pups start with in one week.

Re: Going rate for starting a puppy? (Starting pen rates)?

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2012 12:20 pm
by Hippy
I have seen Prices from $50.00 to $150.00 per month. It all depends on what YOU consider started. :nod: I want my pup to DOWN, come to a E-Collar tone, solo a circle ,even if a small one ( most Starting pens are less than 2 acres) , Go to other dogs and run some in the WILD Some consider a Pup opening on trac is started.

I have VERY limited running grounds sooooooooooooooo if I figure Gas,Time and OUT of State Licence it is very reasonable for me to pay to have a pup started if it needs started in Mid Summer.

My BEST running is 95 miles ONE WAY at 20 MPG $ 4.00 a gal and lunch with my running buddy -U Know brag on how your dog is better-and a Beer or 12. I leave before daylite and get home near Dark Thirty.

Did I mention that I have to keep Peace with the "Better Half" for feeding them all week while I work out of town with a dinner and Sunday "Honey Doing" :check:

I like to have my Pup started with a REAL HONEST to GOODNESS dog person that will tell me if I am wasting my time or ????????????????????? :hammer:

"Your Mileage may Vary"

Jim

Re: Going rate for starting a puppy? (Starting pen rates)?

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2012 7:50 pm
by smokedawg
Hippy, one thing we definitely agree on. I want mine started by a true houndsman that is honest, whether it be good or bad. That is why i use this fellow that I use. He rabbit hunts during the week, field trials every weekend. He is retired and beagles and training hounds is his life. The $40.00/weekly is well spent. He tells you what he sees in the dog, no exceptions. I get way more for my money than just him calling me when the dog opens on a track and saying he is started. He has called me before and told me I should come pick up a pup that just wasnt cutting it. He said in his opinion my money would be better spent to go buy another pup and bring it back than to pour money into a pup that was not gonna make a rabbit dog. I appreciate his honesty and value his opinion. That is what I want, his best effort and his honest opinion. A lot of folks would want you to leave the dog a long time and run up a big bill just so they could make a extra dime!!