What to look for in a puppy / dog trainer
With an ever increasing number of “dog trainers” popping up in the UK, it can be very frustrating when deciding which one to choose, so we have put together a few things you need to look out for, and don’t be afraid to ask the trainer questions around any of the points raised below.
Experience / Qualifications
Has the trainer undergone quality training with a recognised dog training organisation ?
Does the trainer continue to develop their knowledge once these certificates have some dust on them?
Training
Is your trainer going to teach you tricks with your dog ? Or rather exercises, and manners around what you are going to need in the environment your dog will spend most of its time in ?
Such as “Come”, “Sit”, “Down”, “Close / Heel”, “Fetch”, “Off”, “Leave”, “Find”
These commands help educate the domestic dog to a good level of obedience, and should be the most focused on, rather than tricks for treats.
Instructors Time
Are you getting value for money ? If you are only paying £8 per hour, and there are 10 of you in the class and you only get 1/10th of the instructors time you are effectively paying £80 per hour !!!!
Make sure the class is all engaging, allowing you to hear what experiences other dog owners are having, and how the trainer helps them sort them out.
Avoid food based trainers.
In the big wide world, if you need food to get your dog to do something in an environment where you should be of high enough reward for your dog, later down the line when you need that ‘high value food’ to help with things like recall, its not going to work!!
Tap in to your puppies want to play, by using a toy that becomes a great game between you and your dog, and builds the bond between you and your dog, meaning your dog will want to do things with you because your fun, not because you have the best liver cake in the western world.
Paying Up Front
Does your trainer expect payment up front, so they can fund the hall they are renting? Or do they allow you to pay as you go, only for the lessons you actually attend ?
Facilities
Does your trainer rent the local village hall? Or do they have their own facilities, including both indoor and outdoor areas?
Full Time
Are they full time ? Working with dogs on a daily basis, or just renting a room for a few hours a week.
What are their methods?
If your trainer says they are positive only, then they are sadly misleading, or they really do not understand the 4 quadrants of operant learning.
Look for a balanced trainer, one that will use both positive and negative reinforcement, balanced I suppose you would call them.
Do their own dogs do the business?
Do they bring their own dogs into class, and share their knowledge, showing their own dogs doing what they are teaching you. Believe it or not there are instructors, that dont, some havent even got dogs.
Do they actually work their dogs?
If they train dogs, do they work dogs in the disciplines they train ? Does a gundog trainer regularly work their gundogs on shoots? Are there own dogs well mannered.
There is a lot to think of!
The early days are so critical in the correct start for your dog, giving (when done correctly) many years with a loyal and obedient companion. Do it wrong and, lets just say there are too many dogs in homes, and the dogs didn’t check themselves in now did they !
