Looking for a Trainer?
Are you looking for a dog trainer? Not sure how to decide where to take your dog for training? Here is the best method for choosing a dog trainer. Please follow these steps to do what’s best for you and your dog.
Call and ask questions
1. How long have you been training the publics dogs; not just their own dogs? Experience is huge in dog training. I suggest a minimum of 3 years training experience, more is better. Certifications, right now, do not mean a whole lot in the dog training profession.
2. What method do you use to train dogs? It should be a positive method. Dogs, just like us need rewarded for good/correct behavior, knowing that a behavior is good is what makes a dog continue to offer that good behavior, not threats and fear.
All dogs are different, they should say they train every dog very individually, if they use one method for all, ex. Every dog must use a choke chain, then that might not be the right choice for your dog.
3. What do they teach in the class & what age dogs can attend the class?
Many places offer Puppy classes that do nothing more than socialize the puppies and teach sit, and cover maybe a few behavior issue, this is not enough. Also it is not safe to have a puppy around other puppies before it has had at least 3 puppy shots. If you take your puppy in public places around other puppies before they have these shots you may be exposing them to life threatening diseases. A puppy as of approximately 12 weeks of age should be into there 3rd puppy shots and should be starting all the beginner obedience training as well as the socializing. Many puppy classes are not thorough enough for young dogs. 12 week puppies and up should be attending a class that covers all the basic commands; sit, down, stay, come, nice leash walking, and heel. As well as cover all behavior/manner issues that may arise such as; biting, chewing, jumping, barking, housebreaking, social skills, etc. Older dogs that haven’t had the basics yet also need to attend a beginner class that covers all this same material.
* Note - if you don’t plan on competing with your dog in obedience make sure the training program you choose is geared toward pet owner obedience training for all the levels you want to attend and train through - there is a difference.
4. Do they offer classes beyond the basic training? Just doing a beginner basic obedience course does not give you a well trained dog. Most dogs to be a good pet dog, have minimal problems arise, need to train on a regular basis for at least the first 6 months of their lives. In this time period they should be taking training classes that advance them to the point they know all the basic commands taught in what was mentioned as the correct beginner level class commands, be able to listen to these commands even when there are real world distractions, and be able to do them off leash. It is also very important for them to be socialized with a lot of other dogs in those first 6 months+. A good dog training program should offer several levels of classes to work your dog through all these levels of pet dog training.
5. What is the schedule for their classes? Make sure you can attend all the classes, missing classes will not work in a progression style of teaching.
6. What do they charge? Price is not as important as what and how they teach.
7. Can you come watch a class? Go watch the class you are considering taking. We have had so many people come to our program and say they first went to a training program other than ours, didn’t watch the class first, started the class and could not continue because they didn’t like how the class/methods of the class were taught.
