How to Choose a Dog Trainer
Now that the holidays are over and you have added a new puppy or dog to your home, you need to start thinking about dog training classes. Starting classes early in your relationship with a dog is so important in setting boundaries and establishing communication, and can prevent so many behavioral problems. But dog training is an unregulated industry, which means literally anyone can call themselves a dog trainer. No experience or education is required. This often means that there are a lot of options to choose from in any given area, but not all are created equally. Choosing a qualified trainer is going to set the foundation for your relationship with your dog. How do you know which trainer is going to be the best for your situation? I’ve made a list of some important things to consider when making this important choice.
Check their qualifications.
Again, dog training is not regulated in any way, and this means that not everyone who calls themselves a dog trainer is qualified to be one. Education, certifications, and educational group memberships are good ways to assess this. I am much more likely to personally recommend a colleague to someone if they hold reputable professional certifications. The reason for this being, that with most certifications they must be renewed every few years. Trainers with these certifications must take and earn continuing educational units in order to qualify to renew their certification. For example, the certification that I have, (CPDT-KSA or Certified Professional Dog Trainer Knowledge and Skills Assessed) requires that I earn 36 total CEUS every 3 years. This means that I have to attend educational conferences, seminars, etc in order to learn new techniques and stay on top of the most up to date information available to training and behavior specialists. Remember that dog training is a science, and the leaders in the industry are doing studies and learning new and vital information all the time. This means that sometimes, techniques or best practices can change. If trainers don’t have updated information, they are obsolete and potentially even causing harm.
Look for experience.
Experience is important in many fields. I don’t think amount of experience is the most important factor, but it is definitely one that should be considered. Does the trainer have experience training dogs like yours? Ask! Especially if you have a specific behavioral problem, the trainer you choose should have prior experience in working with dogs that have this same issues. For example, if your dog is a nuisance barker, please ask your trainer about previous cases where they have worked on this same issue with other clients. What were the results? How long was the program? I also recommend asking about experience if you have a dog that has a disability. If your dog is deaf, hiring a trainer who has worked with dogs that are deaf is important.
Ask about their training programs.
Most modern trainers offer a few different types of training programs, and choosing between these can also be daunting. (Don’t worry, I will do a different blog piece on this later.) Before choosing a trainer it is important to figure out what is important to you with training. Are you wanting to have personalized one on one lessons or are you more interested in group classes? There are situations where one training program may work better (or worse) for a particular issue or family. Good trainers will also be able to help you choose which program will be the best fit for your dog and family.
What methodologies do they use?
This is an important one. Y’all know that I am a force free trainer and I do not use aversive equipment on dogs. Hurting or scaring animals in the name of “training” is outdated and also extremely damaging to not only the dog, but to the bond between the dog and their humans. Positive training is the only type of training that is backed by science and recommended by behaviorists and vet behaviorists. In addition to this, you should be comfortable doing what your trainer is doing to your dog or telling you to do. I have worked with numerous clients over the years who hired trainers who recommended punishments or practices that they were uncomfortable performing. If your trainer suggests that you spray your dog in the face with a water bottle for barking, but you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you should look at other options. Ignoring the science of behavior and ethics, if your trainer is making suggestions that make you feel uneasy, you are not going to perform these actions outside of class. In order to get the most out of your training, you and your family need to understand and feel good about what you are doing to your dog because ultimately, these actions are going to be what causes us to experience results with them.
Do you like how they treat you?
This seems so simple, but is often overlooked. If your dog trainer is rude to you, do not hire them. This is going to be a pivotal relationship in your life with your new dog, and it should not be strained. Often clients will put up with poor behavior from pet professionals because they assume that their actions and responses to animals are more important. This isn’t true! As a dog trainer, 80% of my job is training the people to understand their dogs better. I have to be able to effectively communicate with the dog’s owners in order to reach goals. Dog trainers teach people as much as they teach dogs, often more. If you are considering hiring someone and they are unable to hold polite conversation with you, look elsewhere.
Choosing a dog trainer doesn’t have to be a daunting task anymore! Keep these things in mind when you are shopping around and remember, that there are good trainers out there who may not check all of these boxes. That is fine! However, these are all important factors to consider when making this decision. And remember that I am here to help. If you don’t want to work with me, I can help you find a qualified professional. Simply reach out! I may not be able to recommend someone personally, but I can at least point you in the right direction. Good luck y’all!