HOW TO CHOOSE A DOG TRAINER

So you’ve just brought home a new, fluffy puppy or a sweet friend adopted at the local shelter. You want to do everything right, but you’re not sure where to begin. You need a trainer! But how do you find one? There are lots of trainers out there from the big box stores to franchise training businesses offering impressive guarantees. Before choosing a trainer, there are a few things you should know. First, anyone can call themselves a dog trainer! It may seem shocking that hairdressers and even manicurists must be certified, but not the person charged with the health and safety of your pet. In Colorado, as in most states, there is no government regulation of dog trainers. Since you are on your own with this important decision, here are a few tips on what to ask prospective trainers during your search.

1) Are you certified?
Although certification is not required, several national dog training organizations offer certification programs. Many of them are quite good. The APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers) offers a certification called the CPDT (Certified Pet Dog Trainer.) In order to even sit for this extensive test, the trainer must first submit recommendations from clients, vets, and other trainers. They also must have at least 300 hours of experience teaching group classes. If they are able to meet these standards, they are permitted to sit for the written test covering the basics of operant and classical conditioning, basic dog psychology, and animal husbandry. CPDT’s must then maintain their certification by providing proof of attending approved continuing education classes every three years. The CPDT does not guarantee you will hire a great trainer, but it does prove the trainer has basic knowledge of training principles and a desire to set themselves apart from the rest of the pack. To find a certified trainer in your area check out:
www.apdt.com
www.canineprofessionals.com

2) How long have you been training?
The best way to become a great dog trainer is to train lots of dogs. The longer a trainer has been working, the more likely they are to have trained many dogs with the same issues facing your pooch. If your dog has aggression issues, separation anxiety, or any other behavioral problem, be sure to ask the trainer if he / she has experience working with that issue.

3) What are your methods?
Although no trainer should be locked into one way of doing things, good trainers will be happy to discuss their philosophy with you. Adapting to your individual dog is an important skill and strong trainers will have several ways of teaching the same behavior depending on the dog they are working with at any given time.

4) Have you ever trained a dog to a high level of reliability?
This may seem like a no brainer for any trainer calling themselves a professional, but you would be shocked how many trainers have never trained one of their own dogs, or anyone else’s for that matter, to a title in obedience, rally, agility, tracking, shutzhund, hunting, and so on. A trainer who has worked with these types of dogs or service dogs, seeing eye dogs, medical alert dogs, police dogs, search and rescue dogs, etc has worked through many difficulties in the training process and figured it out. These trainers are more than equipped to handle your family pet.

5) How do you stay on top of the latest developments in training?
Dog training is constantly evolving as new science, tools and techniques are developed. If a trainer has been doing things the same way for years, without working with other trainers, they may be stuck in a rut. Good trainers are good students. They read the latest research and attend clinics with innovators in the field of dog training. Check to see if the instructor is a member of any educational organizations such as the APDT or IACP and whether she/he pursues ongoing educational opportunities.

6) Can you provide references?
Good trainers develop close relationships with their clients. Their websites should be full of testimonials from satisfied clients. If asked, they should be able to provide you with names and contact information of other clients you could talk with. Most importantly, training should be fun for both you and your dog.

We hope this information has been helpful in your search for a dog trainer. Good luck and happy training!