Doug I know your new and you don't sound quite ready yet but keep at it
I would suggest finding a carpet cleaner you could ride around with and help for free to get some pointers If that's not a option look on you tube for people cleaning,carpet cleaners ads,and watch how they pull the wand back and forth most start a section and key the wand and hold it tell their done with that section then go back and dry strokes. Its takes a while to get the hang of it . Its kinda like a dance. You might really benefit from a couple of classes.