His company has been most helpful helping this old dog get caught up with the times on Direct mailing marketingAnyone with any insight please reply.

My question on top of the one already posted Is, do you think Bird Dogging can help build relationships and provide the funding for closing my first deal?.

The security deposit is for irresponsible negligent behavior only.

I'm also looking for any real estate professionals who would be willing to let me work for/with them on a part-time basis as an assistant, "bird dog", or whatever they might need so I can get some real world experience.I look forward to getting to know everyone!

Things like Knob & Tube or Aluminum wiring, in ground tanks, tenants with certain breeds of dogs, proximity to a coast, etc. are all factors that could limit the companies that will insure you or raise the cost.Feel free to PM me if you need more info on any of this. 

That's unacceptable behavior.  

What sort of pitch or marketing can I use to get the attention of smaller flippers, the guys who use bird-dogs or  MLS listed properties to make money? 

Instead, I would strongly recommend acting as a "bird dog" or finder and then referring the notes you find to an institutional investor for a fee.

How is a fair “fee” for the bird-dogging service I’m basically doing calculated?

If you are looking to start in MF's you can do it yourself, be a bird dog and find properties for other companies and get a referral fee or wholesale, try to partner or work with a company doing MF.