If you are looking to teach your dog basic obedience skills and advanced training requirements, finding a trainer is the best option for you. Trainers make all the difference, especially when first adding a new furry friend to the family. Even if you have years of experience with canines, working with a professional trainer can help you spot some learning and teaching tactics that will benefit your dog in more ways than one! No matter how skilled you think you are, having a professional come in to help is always a good idea when getting a puppy. Finding the right trainer for your family and your dog can be difficult, which is why we have put together some helpful tips for finding that perfect fit.
Here are 5 tips for finding the right dog trainer for you:
Ask Yourself What You Want Your Dog to Learn
First, think about your dog and what obedience skills they need improvement upon. If the only thing your dog needs to learn is “sit”, “stay”, and “come”, you are in pretty good shape. On the other hand, if your dog needs more rehabilitation and obedience training, then you need to truly think about what rules and skills will be best suited for your household. Some trainers only teach rehabilitation, some only teach obedience, and others teach both. Make sure to do your research to determine what kind of training your dog needs before rushing to get a trainer.
Think About Your Own Philosophy and Ethics
This is a very important part of determining what type of trainer is right for you. For example, some trainers use choke chains as a way to discipline and train dogs about obedience skills they are learning while other trainers use positive reinforcement such as treats and pets. If you are not comfortable having the trainer use a choke chain with your dog, this most likely means your dog will not be comfortable with it as well. Asking yourself these questions before hiring a trainer is highly important and will lead you to find the right for your dog.
Look at the Trainer’s Certification
There are large amounts of trainers that are certified and uncertified who are extremely good at their job. If you are specifically looking for a trainer who has certification, this proves that they had to complete certain requirements to get to the point they are at today. This includes hands-on hours with dogs to conduct research and to study their behavior. Remember to do your research and look into every trainer before selecting one.
Get Referrals
If you have any friends or family members who previously hired a dog trainer, ask them about their experience. Asking previous clients about their experience is a great way of determining if the trainer is a good fit for your dog. Remember that even if you do find a referral, the trainer might not be the right fit for you and your dog. It’s important to think back to step #2 and make sure the referred trainer aligns with your philosophy and ethics.
Include Yourself in the Training Process
Including yourself in the training process can be very beneficial for growth with your dog. As the owner, you could be the cause of some of the bad habits that your dog has developed over time. In addition, when the trainer leaves, you’ll have to be the one enforcing the training methods that your dog learned from them. It’s important to find the right balance between including yourself in the process and giving the trainer space to teach your dog new skills.
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