How To Find A Good Dog Trainer

Dogs have become increasingly important in the modern family – many of us place them on the same pedestal as our human children. We always want the best for our dogs, and help them to live a high-quality life. As such, the choices we make as responsible dog owners – from health and nutrition, to training and behavior – are usually thoroughly researched to ensure we improve the chances of successful outcomes.

Inevitably, there are times when we have to trust professionals with caring for our dogs. Whether it is veterinary care, grooming, or dog training, we always want to make the best decisions for our dogs – that goes without saying. But it raises some interesting questions – how do you actually go about finding a good dog trainer? What are the steps you should take to ensure your decision is backed by research, and how can you increase the probability that you pick a trainer who will help you achieve your dog training goals?

Firstly - ask yourself what your dog training goals are

Before you begin your dog trainer search, it is actually beneficial to take a moment for introspection. What are you actually looking to achieve as a result of working with a dog trainer? What are your dog training goals?

Try to avoid being too broad with these goals – for example, saying “I want my dog to behave better” isn’t a tangible goal. Instead, make sure your aims are specific. If you’re looking to correct a particular behavior, make a note of it. Telling a prospective dog trainer that you want to stop your dog from counter surfing, or that it is important that your new puppy is potty trained, will immediately allow them to begin formulating a training plan.

It could be that your dog training goals aren’t behavior-related. You may be looking to teach your dog a new skill by enrolling in a dog sport such as agility or scent work. If your focus is on a particular activity or sport, it is important to note your specific aims, because it will help you to identify dog trainers who have the expertise in those areas of dog training.

Overall, having complete clarity over your dog training goals will help you as you move through the process of finding a dog trainer. It will enable you to clearly communicate to prospective trainers your expectations and aims when working with them.

What to look for in a dog trainer

With a clear vision for what you need from a dog trainer, you can then begin to move forward with finding a good one who can help you achieve your goals.

You could start by speaking to family members or friends who live locally and may have worked with nearby dog trainers. The internet is another place you can begin your search, and many dog trainers provide detailed information on their services and pricing. However, beyond catchy marketing slogans and glossy photos, there are a number of factors you should consider when shortlisting potential dog trainers.

1) Education

In the United States, dog training is an unregulated industry. This means that anyone can become a dog trainer, and there is no need for certifications or licenses to offer dog training services.

However, just because anyone can become a dog trainer does not mean that they should become one – and this is really where you should start to dig deeper into a dog trainer’s credentials. Think of it this way – if your dog needed veterinary care, you would expect your veterinarian to have the necessary qualifications to prove they know what they’re doing. If your dog needs to be trained, shouldn’t you expect that a trainer has completed formal study to demonstrate that they understand the fundamentals of canine behavior?

If a dog trainer has completed any formal qualifications related to dog training, you should expect them to be listed on their website. In addition, trainers who become members of professional organizations (such as the International Association of Canine Professionals) will reference their membership, as this demonstrates a commitment to ongoing education and knowledge-sharing with fellow professionals.

2) Experience

When you think about the word ‘experience’, your mind may immediately jump to the number of years that someone has been involved in the world of dog training. However, in this context, experience isn’t just about how long someone has been a dog trainer – it is about if they have experience of achieving success with dog owners in a similar situation to yours.

Every dog trainer has different aspects that they may specialize in, or conversely, areas of dog training that they don’t offer at all. If you are working to manage an aggression problem with your dog, then you need to find a dog trainer who has significant experience of working with aggressive dogs; if you’re looking for protection dog training, you need to see a track record of successful protection dogs; and so on, and so forth.

There are a few ways to ascertain the experience of a dog trainer. The first is to look at their website to determine the types of dog training services they are looking to promote. Another way is to look at client reviews on Google or social media platforms (this is particularly helpful, as these are usually unbiased and from the perspective of fellow dog owners). Finally, a conversation with the prospective dog trainer can help you to evaluate if they have a history of helping dog owners in a similar position to you.

3) Dog training philosophy

As you start to explore potential dog trainers, you will likely see terms used (and misused) regarding dog training philosophies. A trainer’s philosophy will likely be guided by their education and the experiences of dogs they have worked with throughout their career.

It is essential to understand the philosophy of any dog trainer you wish to work with – and to make sure that expectations are realistic for both parties. While there are certainly some simple behaviors that can be taught in a single session, more complex behavioral problems will require several sessions to see long lasting results. Beware of trainers promising quick fixes or miracle cures – after all, it is more important that your goal is achieved properly, not quickly.

4) Personality alignment

Even with the right education, experience and philosophy, there is one intangible factor that you must consider when deciding to work with a dog trainer – personality and communication skills. For all the great information that a trainer may have on their website, there is no substitute for that initial conversation which can help you decide if you want to work with a dog trainer.

You – and your dog – should always feel comfortable around your dog trainer. It is important to note that the trainer is teaching you just as much as they’re teaching your dog. They should be able to clearly explain the goals of training sessions, and help you to understand how you can build on this when the trainer isn’t present.

In all walks of life, there are times when the stars just don’t align – sometimes for no other explanation other than a clash of personalities or a communication gap. If you do, for any reason, feel that the dog trainer isn’t a good fit for your situation, then you have the right to walk away and choose another one.

In conclusion

We know that there is so much to consider when choosing a dog trainer – and finding a good one is so important to successful training outcomes.

At Highland Canine, we have always ensured that we place education and science at the heart of what we do. All of our professional dog trainers have completed the Master Dog Trainer program at the School for Dog Trainers, in addition to ongoing education initiatives and professional development opportunities.