The Most Important Question to Ask Your Dog Trainer

 

Selecting a dog trainer can feel like an absolute minefield. So many dog trainers are out there, and many claim they can sort out your dog’s problems fast. These promises can be very tempting to a struggling guardian.

Why is Finding the Right Dog Trainer So Confusing?

The dog training and behaviour world is currently self-regulated. This means that anyone can call themselves a dog trainer. Different organisations exist which offer registration to those that fulfil certain criteria. These provide an almost impenetrable maze of acronyms. Many guardians find these acronyms and their meaning hard to navigate.

The quality of these organisations and their certification standards may vary a lot. Some demand little more than an assertion of a certain number of dogs trained (not always checked) and a fee. No matter how grand these titles may sound, they are no guarantee of education and experience.

Other organisations with which trainers may register are excellent. They have regular checks to ensure the maintenance of standards. They ensure the trainer's education and skills are up to date. This comes through CPD (continuing professional development). Good canine professionals spend lots of time each year in the study of dog-related topics. 

The right trainer will help you find what motivates your dog

How to Choose the Right Trainer for You and Your Dog?

How then is a dog guardian to know they are selecting the right trainer for them and their dog? One that will use kind and ethical methods? Who will treat both them and their dogs with kindness and empathy? One who will not treat the dog in a way that may make them scared or anxious? Create further (or even worse) problems later on?

Lists are available on the internet of questions to ask potential trainers. One of these we can consider as central. An essential insight into how these trainers work. 

‘What happens if my dog gets something wrong?’

Why Is This So Important?

The best trainers set the dog up to succeed in their training sessions. Learning is much quicker and more effective using rewards.  Earning something they value when they perform an action that we want them to learn. How much easier to learn a new skill when told what we get right than what’s wrong and having to guess at the right answer?

No dog is ever going to pick up every cue the first time they encounter it. There will often be times that they offer a behaviour that we are not looking for. How the trainer handles this is one of the most important considerations.

An excellent trainer adjusts their training so the dog succeeds and gains confidence. They change how they ask the question so that the dog can find the right answer and gain their reward. This reinforces the behaviour, making it more likely they will do the same thing in the future. An excellent trainer will, if the dog doesn't get something right, change how they set up the exercise. This gives the dog the best chance of getting it making the right choice and enjoy their success.

Finding the right dog trainer is one of the most important things that you can do, for both you and your dog. The results can have a massive influence on your lives together from that point on.

The right trainer helps towards a long and happy life together!

Would you like to learn more about training dogs? Canine Principles have a fantastic Canine Coaching Foundations course. You may find you enjoy it so much that you move on to some of the other courses as well!

Struggling with a fearful or anxious dog who barks and lunges at people, other dogs etc. when out on a walk? Don’t forget to check out my latest book, ‘Understanding Reactive Dogs: Why Dogs React & How to Help’.  Available in eBook, audiobook and paperback (via Amazon) all accessible through the link.