Equipment loans
Trainers lend things — a long line for recall homework, a muzzle to condition with, a head collar to try. Most comes back. Some does not, and none of it is written down.
The overdue list is a follow-up
“You have had the muzzle six weeks, how is it going?” is a training conversation wearing a practical hat. That is the real value here.
Deposits are not your money
The total held is shown, because it is easy to forget that it is somebody else’s.
1
Record it as it goes outItem, deposit, due back.
2
Default to four weeksLong enough to be useful, short enough to prompt a conversation.
3
Work the overdue list monthly
FAQ
Should I take a deposit?
Your call. Plenty of trainers do for long lines and muzzles and it does reduce the losses, but it also puts a barrier in front of the owners who most need to try one.