How to Choose a Dog Trainer
For many people, pets are like their children and they will love them unconditionally no matter what behavior problems they may have. Dog training is an effective way of breaking your dog’s bad habits and turning her into a good dog—that is if you choose the right dog trainer.
Unfortunately, not everyone who decides to get into dog training does so for the right reasons or has the experience or skills to do an effective job. There are several questions to ask a dog trainer before trusting him with your dog.
1. Know His Background
The more experience he has, the easier it will be for him to train dogs with a variety of problems. You should also ask if he has any certifications. While not necessary to pursue a dog training career, dog trainers with a certification (like the one earned at Animal Behavior College) may be more qualified to train dogs. ABC has a comprehensive curriculum and provides students hands-on training, which helps ensure graduates are well equipped to train your dog.
2. Learn His Specialty
Many professional dog trainers specialize in certain training areas, such as obedience, behavior and agility. Other dog trainers specialize in individual problems like biting, destroying furniture and housebreaking. If you can choose a dog trainer with a specialty in what you need, you’ll get the results you’re looking for.
3. Know His Dog Training Methods
Some trainers use systems where the dog is punished for bad behavior while others will train dogs through a system that rewards them for good behavior. For many dog owners, the latter scenario is a much happier one for both them and their pets.
4. Ask for References
As with any service provider, a dog trainer should be able to provide you with satisfied customers who you can contact to learn their experiences. Once you do get references, don’t be afraid to ask tough questions you may not be comfortable asking the dog trainer directly like if he was on time, reliable and trustworthy.
At the end of the day, dog training is all about the trainer establishing trust with the dog and using this as a way to modify his behavior. A big part of earning your dog’s trust is earning your trust.
If you have a bad feeling about a dog trainer, don’t be afraid to keep looking and find someone else. It’s best to choose a dog trainer who has invested his time to obtain a formal dog training education. This shows that he’s dedicated to his profession, and it will increase the likelihood of your satisfaction while working with him.
