Most people hit that stage in life that they understand buying quality is worth the extra price. You usually get extra service and some unexpecteds that comes with the additional price you paid for a quality item.
The same is true for buying a dog or training. The difference in price between buying a dog out of a backyard breeder litter found in the paper and a professional breeder is immeasurable. Yet the price difference is about $10 to $20 a year over the life of a dog. That's about a buck a month to get quality versus an also-ran.
If you think the benefits of buying from a pro ends at the sale, as it does with a backyard breeder, your sorely mistaken. I talk with my breeders and trainers at least once a year. And with consulting fees being what they are these days, I feel I'm way ahead with that initial $10 a year extra investment.
This year some of the things I asked my professionals included: Is there a cheaper way to get around my annual shots, now hitting $200 a dog. I was told a solution from a pro that does a better job and costs about $10. The dogs still go in for a checkup but I have cut our bill in half.
Another time we were talking about hunt test issues. I was given an easy solution that would work with no additional training. I told the individual, I didn't think that was legal. I was told to read the book. And by the way I owed them $300 for the ten tests it took them to gather that experience. I was making money with hints like that!
The pros have access to information you and I do not. They go to all the meetings, the seminars, the fun days, it's their life. And to that end they are there to answer what you might think are stupid questions like: "Where do I get birds?"

Beyond calling the pro, you must have a working relationship with them. Find out where they hunt, test, trial or have fun days and try to tag along, you'll probably be welcome.
At the recent spaniel water fun day we were working dogs around decoys. One of Tony & Bethann Roettgers dogs got tangled in the decoy weight string. Tony calmly yelled: I need a boat. Tony proceeded to paddle out calmly, WITH HIS HANDS, to untangle his dog. At the same time Tony was reassuring his pup all was well. Training stopped and everyone watched the pro at work. Everyone learned a valuable