When looking for a dog trainer for you and your dog...?

Question

For those who pursue dog training with a trainer, what kind of criteria did you have in selecting your trainer?

How did you find your trainer?

How many years of experience did you want your trainer to have with dogs?

Is your trainer a member of a local dog training club?

Does your trainer show in various venues and has titled their own dogs? Is this important to you if they have or have not done this? Why?

What things make you feel that your trainer is qualified and knowledgable in training dogs?

How many classes did you or are you taking with your trainer?

Does your trainer encourage you to go forward and enter matches and trials?

I'm just wondering what things people looked for and liked in trainers they do or have worked with.

Answer 1

Since I train all my own dogs, I have never had anyone else train them for me, but, I have an entire network of people who are trainers and also do their own training that I often call and seek advice from if I don't know something.
Most of these people have been in their field for 30 plus years, some have been doing it for over 60 years and these are the people that I seek out and talk to.
Some compete in dog sports, Sch, KNPV, NVBK, Mondio, etc, some have retired, but, they are all walking encyclopedias on dog behavior and training.
None of them are of the "new" school methods and most of them are big on the Koehler techniques and other training methods as well.
They have proven their worth by the amount of dogs they have trained for real world applications as well as sports and I am honored to know and seek advice from them.

Answer 2

I have just recently chosen a trainer for my dogs. They all went through the normal PetSmart classes, which were great for socialization, but not for much else.

First, I asked my vet for a referral, then I researched the trainer she suggested.

The trainer has been voted best trainer for the past 5 years in my city's monthly dog magazine. She has been featured on the news several times, and she and her "group" was voted best by Chicago Magazine.

I have talked to several people in my area whose dogs have been trained by her, and they all have said no other trainer they have ever seen can compare to what she has done in helping them train their dogs.

Additionally, an 8 week class with her is actually cheaper than an 8 week class at PetSmart!!! She has classes at several venues around the city and suburbs, and one is a 3 minute drive from my house.

Answer 3

Don't look for me, I'm retired (wink)
I only train for my own enjoyment anymore. Guess you would have to check with one of my kids.
Without a doubt there are trainers and then there are trainers. If you want someone like Jim Gonia, Mike Lardy, or Danny Farmer to train and handle your dog, all I can say is that I hope you have a lot of money.
Before even looking for a trainer a person needs to think through what their goals are because there is no such thing as a "does it all" trainer. Probably the last thing you would want is a gun dog trainer training your herding dog.
IMHO first on the list when looking for a trainer is to evaluate if they train the dog or train the trainer (you)
There are no secrets in training dogs, what you learn, pass on.

Answer 4

Hi, I understand that you are looking for some advice or resources to help fully train your dog or fix behavior problems. If a professional dog trainer is not an option at this time, or if you want to trt training your dog on your own (a great way to bond), I'd suggest you https://bitly.im/aMVEH

A friend recommened it to me a few years ago, and I was amazed how quickly it worked, which is why I recommend it to others. The dog training academy also has as an excellent home training course.

Answer 5

The issue is that dogs are poor generalizers - it's not that the dog is "sneaky, greedy" etc, but that they have no intrinsic sense of morality or "rightness" and so only think something is "bad" if it has bad consequences. If it has never had bad consequences except with a human in the room, then how on earth are they to know that the rules still apply with the human out of the room? You need to train in such a way that corrections and rewards occur when the dog does not think you are present - i.e. hiding around the corner. Read here https://tr.im/8mL4l

I personally owned a Labrador Retriever (read: chow hound) that could be left 6" from a hot dog in a sit-stay for half an hour and not touch it - the word was "mine" and it meant that you don't touch that, even if I am not in the room, even if whatever, you DO NOT touch that. You could leave a plate of food on the floor for hours and not only would she not touch it, she would also keep the other animals (dogs and cats) from touching it.

In all probability, these dogs studied were just not properly trained/proofed before the experiment. With "proofing" to set them up and catch them in the act to give

Answer 6

One thing that I would advise regarding dog training is, whatever you do, stay well clear of Bark Busters. They are a complete rip off and also quite expensive. For $493 the training that they gave us consisted of - and this is no joke- bark at your dog to alter whatever behavior you want changed in the dog.

They were recommended by our vet who we like very much but in the long run puppy play groups and an occasional puppy day care class has helped our dog's behavior much more than Bark Busters could ever hope to.

I know this might not answer your question directly but if you are considering trainers Bark Busters is a waste of time and money.

Answer 7

In the past the only proffessional dog trainer I used was recommended by my Vet when I mentioned wanting to try Obedience, prior to that all training guidance came from my Uncle who trained Collies for working and had not only given me my first dog but helped me train him too. I went along to her class and watched (at her invitation) liked what I saw and was impressed with the titles she had won. She had trained two Crufts Champions!
She's long since retired so if I was looking for a trainer now I'd probably first get in touch with my friend who trains 'mountain rescue' dogs and see who he recommended! I'd be looking for experience and the techniques employed and would attend a class to see them in action. Any sign of force or punishment and I'd be straight out of the door! I've never used it and certainly wouldn't allow anyone else to use it with my dogs, or expect me to.
Call me an old softy but training should be fun! A dog that enjoys what it's doing works better and harder!
I've a lot of friends who own and train various breeds and would look to them for help finding a behaviour specialist if I had a problem dog but luckily for me I've never needed that time of help.

Answer 8

What criteria?
I needed a trainer who specialized in training ACDs with aggression issues. I also specifically looked for a training method that had absolutely NO negative reinforcement methods.
How did I find my trainer?
Research, on the Internet, with my Cattle Dog group, etc
Years of experience?
Interviewed the trainer at my home to discover his credentials. Made my decision afterwards that he was qualified. He had been a dog trainer for around 15 years and had gone through 224 hours of training on his method before then.
Member of dog club or showing dogs?
No, he adopts shelter mutts, which is just fine with me. I don't think he even has time to show anything anyway.
Why did I think he was qualified?
He proved it to me on his first visit with his ability to assess my pack and cause an instant response with one training tip. He also had extensive experience with ACDs.
How many classes?
We worked with him for five months.
Encouragement?
My trainer encourages us to continue obedience training throughout the lives of our dogs. He is on call free of charge for any further issues I may have.

Answer 9

I train my own dogs and have a couple friends who are quite knowledgeable about dog training. I do take my dogs to group classes for the socialization though. My dogs aren't what you would call 'highly trained' but they are well mannered and know basic obedience commands as well as a few others. Unless I have a specific problem, training classes is all about socialization for me. One of the easiest ways to get it in a society where dogs are allowed to go almost nowhere with their owner.

Answer 10

I always train my dogs myself, however, I always try to attend few classes for my own benefit. Ie : to see new trends and ways and to get pointers. Out of probably 10-15 trainers I've known, I'd chose probably 2-3 for my dog.