What to Look For in a Dog Trainer
Dogs are wonderful, loyal, and courageous creatures. They’re also very much like us—capable of exhibiting an array of emotions and behaviors. This makes them rewarding pets, but it also makes them pretty difficult to train.
For example, some dogs are very easy to train, while others are not—with the latter being more likely to need a more experienced dog trainer.
Choosing the best dog trainer is a vital decision that you will spend a lot of time thinking about; it’s not just a luxury that you’re going to pay someone to do it for you. You could end up paying an endless amount of money and getting the wrong person, or having your dog trained by someone who is not the best.
In this blog post we will discuss how to choose the most reputable and experienced dog trainer in your area so that you can start training your dog straight away, and not have to wait any longer than you need to.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links (Amazon Associate or other programs we take part in). As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.
What To Look For When Choosing a Dog Trainer
Many people are nervous about choosing a dog trainer. They want to make the best decision and get the best results.
Choosing a dog trainer can be challenging - There are so many types of dog trainers who provide different services, from obedience training to behavior training to training for sledding to training for puppies. It is important to hire the right dog trainer to help you with the training of your dog.
Determining what type of trainer you need is also important - Can your new puppy sit and stay? Are you confronting a problem behavior such as jumping on guests?
Choosing the Best Dog Trainer
Ask the trainer about her training methods and philosophy, and make sure you feel comfortable with her methods.
Choose a trainer who uses positive reinforcement training to reward the dog for behavior and teach alternative techniques to replace inappropriate ones.
The benefits of these techniques are that they are based on the science of animal learning and strengthen the bond between dog and owner and foster a love of learning in dogs.
Learn whether a trainer offers classes or private training that meets your needs. Each trainer offers different services.
It is also beneficial to socialize and distract other dogs in a class environment. Some dogs, particularly if other dogs overstimulate them or are anxious, learn best in an individual setting.
You can receive private training at a school, in your home, or anywhere else in the world. This may be an ideal solution in certain situations.
Sometimes dogs are not ready for a classroom, or perhaps your dog’s problem only occurs at home.
You can expect to pay more for a trainer who comes to you, since not all offer services outside their own facility.
Questions to Ask a Dog Trainer
Here are some suggested questions for you to use when interviewing a potential trainer about their training process.
Using open-ended questions allows trainers to explain their philosophy in depth.
- Ask the professional trainer about his/her training style and philosophy by asking, “What method of training do you use?”
- Look for positive trainers who uses reward-based training methods.
- Find out if he/she offers classes or private training.
- What is your educational background in dog training (and behavior, if applicable)?
- Have you attended any continuing education?
- What equipment do you use? Do you use force-free training?
- Do you make training fun for the dogs? What kind of follow-up do you provide to your clients?
- Can you provide a list of clients we can contact for references?
- Do you belong to any professional dog trainers associations, and if not, why not?
- What training industry credentials do you have any training certifications?
- What sort of services do you provide for pet owners? Do you provide specialized services? (i.e. therapy dog training, competitive dog sports training, service dog training).
- What is the class size?
Assess a Professional Dog Trainers Experience
A trainer’s knowledge and experience can be assessed in several ways.
Ask her how long she has worked as a trainer and how she learned how to do it.
If your dog has a specific behavior problem, see if she has dealt with it before.
The best trainers will acknowledge what they don’t know as well as what they know.
Trust your instincts. If the trainer “feels” like a good match, she probably is.
Alternatively, if you are not fully confident in the trainer’s ability to help you and your dog, you will be less likely to follow her plan of action and less likely to succeed.
Ask to Sit-In and Observe a Class Before You Begin
Your best option is to observe a class and the students and their dogs to see whether the trainer practices what he describes.
- Do they seem relaxed and enjoying themselves?
- Is what the trainer is saying clear to you?
- Do the suggestions offered to students make sense to you?
- Have problems been handled satisfactorily for all parties involved?
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links (Amazon Associate or other programs we take part in). As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.
A Guide to Choosing the Best Dog Trainer
1. Find a Dog Trainer That Offers What You Need
It may seem obvious. After all, you want someone to help you train your dog. However, different trainers offer different services and have unique skills.
- Do you prefer a group class or individual training - Both have their advantages. A puppy class offers a great opportunity for socializing a new puppy. It is also cheaper than individual training. Individual training allows you to get more focused attention and address your specific needs.
- Am I seeking general training or am I seeking help with a particular problem - Look for a trainer or behaviorist with experience in that area if you are dealing with behavior problems such as barking, separation anxiety or aggression.
- What are my long-term goals for my dog, such as obedience or agility competition - Do I primarily want short-term training to help him become a happy family member? Training classes are attractive to some of us because we love dog sports and hang out with people who are as passionate about their pets as we are.
2. Look for Different Dog Training Methods
Although most of the techniques are effective in changing behavior, not all of them are kind and humane. Knowing which training methods are humane and effective is essential when choosing a trainer.
By rewarding the dog for good behavior, positive reinforcement training, for example, works.
Positive reinforcement training, for example, is a humane and effective method of training dogs.
There are more and more trainers who use reward-based methods, making it easier to locate good ones.
“Lure and reward” and “clicker training” are two popular positive methods that use food as the primary reinforcement. Both methods are highly effective.
3. Pay Attention to The Dog Trainer's People Skills
A trainer is part teacher, part therapist, and part communicator, and the right trainer will benefit you even more than your dog.
Most people who become dog trainers do so because they enjoy or even love dogs, not because they are skilled at working with people.
4. Check The Dog Trainer's Experience
The time a trainer has offered professional services is not a determinant of how well she can perform, but it is a factor to consider.
Someone with less professional training experience but excellent skills, for example, may do well in a basic training class.
New trainers often inject enthusiasm, energy, and creativity into a class that a trainer who has been teaching for a long time might lose.
For an obedience class that offers specific activities that require knowledge and experience of behavior overall, however, a less-experienced trainer may not be the right choice. An example would be an off-leash activity.
Trainers need to be skilled at reading canine body language, predicting interactions, bad behaviors and intervening appropriately during off-leash socialization (even with puppies).
These skills require specialized training. In addition, a trainer who lacks extensive experience and knowledge may not be the best choice for serious problems, such as aggression.
Beyond the Basics
Choose a trainer who offers more than just basic training philosophy, a compassionate training program will do wonders in current dog training methods.
Dogs and humans have different ways of looking at the world, and the more you understand perceptions, the better equipped you are to meet his needs and live together happily.
Training information about dog behavior, how dogs communicate, and how they learn should be included in training lessons.
Trainers understand their job is to teach you how to train your dog.
Depending on the dog’s issue, they may initially work with one adult at a time, but at some point, the whole family can get involved. Trainers who excel know the importance of getting the whole family on board for consistency.
Watch For Red Flags
In your assessment, there are a couple of things to look out for.
Trainers who use language like “alpha” and “dominant” or use primarily punishment based methods do not meet the standards of science-based training.
You should steer clear of traditional or military-based training methods that use choke, shock collars, prong collars, electronic collar or pinch collars.
Using force to train dogs is unnecessary; we can train dogs without using correction-based techniques.
We recommend you avoid trainers who use inhumane practices such as hitting, kicking, hanging, shocking, or any other act that may cause a dog to suffer.
With good luck, good training, and lots of hard work, you’ll soon be over the rowdy dog blues and on to a fulfilling and happy relationship with your well-behaved dog pal.
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