I have been reading this thread and found it to be very frustrating! Jazzking, I feel for you! You have gotten some good advice here. I sincerely hope you re evaluate your current situation.
I personally have been in the sport a tad over 3 yrs. I had ZERO experience! I have trialed at mostly at championship trials. My dogs successes at National levels are all attributed to my TRAINER! As a newcomer, you need to find someone who has been there and done that! If the person has never been there, how can they lead you there? Stick with someone you trust. If you dont trust, how can you follow? ...As Dean Calderon says "The proof is in the points" ...and to add although I have trialed at the nationl level, in no way could I ever train someone else to get there! My point is there is no better teacher than experience!!!
Find the best, stick with him/her and leave the rest alone. Practice doesnt make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect!! (I cant remeber where I read that but I love it!
Put your dog first and your friends second.
Good luck.