I suggest you start looking at the various articles and threads about bird-dogging that can be found here:http://www.biggerpockets.com/investing-guide/I also recommend you go to our investor psychology category and look at the various threads there.

Great stuff---we have so far:- Canvassing the target market- Personal Networking- Outsourcing to a bird dogThere is alot more strategies not touched upon---anyone else?

I would really like to start working as a "bird-dog" but I'm not sure about the best way to find investors.

I met a local investor here who does rehabs and started bird dogging for him and his partner.

Aside from having an attorney draw up a specific contract, what exactly is the best way to protect your interests as a bird-dog?

I bet you expect your agent(s) to be available at nights and on Sunday, while you wouldn't expect that from any other professional.Professional Agents are not investors and they're certainly not bird-dogs, they are workers; And If you use a worker's services, as a matter of decency you should do your best to see to it that they're compensated for that work.

All of these services accompany our consultation.Hope that wasn't too much of an ad... sorry if it was :D

You might consider bird-dogging or wholesaling as a way to get started.

Personally, you've spent $16,000 so far on education/classes.I'd probably cut back on the spending additional money on classes for the time being, and try to get some first hand experience.Try to get into a "bird dogging" position for one of the known to be successful investment persons in your area.

I am looking for some guidance on any type of book or program that will give me a good overview of different areas (i.e. wholesaling, bird-dogging, short sales, pre-foreclosure, notes, etc.) so that I can see if one of them seems appealing to me.