Pet Forum

glenn dorsey · #1 05-21-2008, 09:10 AM

Good dog trainers, the ones that are truly experts at training puppies, are like diamonds. You don't find them very often, but when you do you treasure them. I spoke to a few dog trainers that we really trust and they gave me a few pointers to share on how to choose a good dog trainer.

Get recommendations from your vet, the ASPCA, the city's other humane societies, other reputable trainers, or your breeder or breed club. Inquire about his or her training background, years of experience, and areas of expertise. You deserve to have your questions answered, so don't be timid about asking them. Good dog trainers are concerned about their dogs' welfare. They also know that harsh or abusive handling methods are not only unnecessary, but are often counter productive as well. Dedicated trainers keep themselves up-to-date by attending dog training and animal behavior courses, conferences, seminars and workshops whenever possible. Is monetary profit his or her primary motive for training dogs? Is everything this trainer does geared towards making money? While financial success is great, ethics must come first.

Remember, absolutely anyone can call himself a dog trainer or behaviorist. Slick ads with inflated claims, grandiose self-descriptions, and impressive sounding titles can be very deceptive. Investigate any stated affiliations a trainer lists on his or her brochure, Yellow Pages ad or web site. If a trainer claims to be affiliated with an organization (past or present) or claims to have "studied" with well-known dog trainers or behaviorists, ask for their telephone numbers and contact them to be sure. NOTE: A common ploy for some trainers, is to attend a couple one-or two-day seminars or workshops with a well-known dog expert, then claim to have studied with that person.

The dog trainer profession has been listed as one of the "hot professions" in 2007/2008, so there are a lot of people hanging a shingle outside his/her door that reads, "dog trainer." Find out exactly how many years the instructor has been teaching the specific type of class you wish to take, or how long the trainer has been providing private behavior modification in your area and get references from former clients. Years of experience is just as important than certifications, degrees and memberships in organizations. Many training facilities and organizations have apprentice programs and schools, but be sure to find out the credentials of the person who directs the program and has written the curriculum. That person should have a combination of multiple years of hands-on experience, academic background and certifications.

These are just a few pointers on choosing a good dog trainer. You could add many more to the list. What they all share though is a lot of hard work and research. Unfortunately, most of us are afraid to ask questions about a person's methods or experiences. If you want to choose a truly qualified dog trainer though, this is exactly what you have to do.

Stacey · #2 05-23-2008, 04:37 PM

Great advice for picking a dog trainer! I don't really have anything to add to this. If everyone would just follow half of these tips they would find a good dog trainer for their puppy.

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Pet Forum

How Do I Choose A Good Dog Trainer?

How Do I Choose A Good Dog Trainer?