Owning a dog means that you have the responsibility of training it. Not only will it make your life easier, but it will give your dog important mental stimulation. Whether you want to help teach them general obedience, good manners or new skills, a dog trainer will be able to help.
However, choosing a dog trainer can be overwhelming, especially with the amount there are online. Anyone can call themselves a dog trainer, even if they lack the appropriate knowledge and skills. It’s important to find a reputable trainer, therefore we have put together some handy tips on what to look out for and things to ask.
What to Look for in a Dog Trainer
Variety of Services
Before looking for a dog trainer, you need to determine what kind of training your dog requires. Does your dog need to learn to ‘sit’ or ‘stay’? Are you dealing with behavioural problems? Does your dog require more socialising with other dogs? A lot of dog trainers provide a variety of services that meet your needs, whether that is in a group setting or one-on-one training. Have a look around to see what suits you, as a lot of the time you will have to go to the dog training facility, so expect to pay much more for someone to come to you.
Methods for Training
Ask the trainer about their training methods to make sure you are comfortable with their approaches. We strongly recommend looking for a trainer who uses positive reinforcement training, which involves rewarding your dog for appropriate behaviour and teaching alternative behaviours in place of inappropriate ones. This type of training builds your dog’s confidence by giving them the choice, it strengthens the bond between trainer and dog and also means the behaviour changes are more likely to last and become a habit.
Venue
If you decide on a dog training facility, assess the environment and parking situation. In an ideal world, you don’t want to be handing over your dog on a busy street or a long distance away from the venue. Check that it is a safe space for you and your dog.
What to Look for in a Dog Training Class
Ask to Observe a Training Session
Depending on the type of training session your dog requires, before sending them away for training, ask if you can observe a dog training session to get a feel for how their classes work.
Other Dogs’ Behaviour
Pay attention to how the other dogs and their owners are, everyone should look relaxed, and happy.
Instructor’s Attitude
Is the instructor friendly and approachable? Are they acting in the best interest of the dogs and owners?
Class Size
Keeping in mind the size of the facility, how many dogs are there in the class? Can the instructor keep an eye on everyone?
Environment
Noise should be kept to a minimum. Lots of shouting or barking indicates high stress levels.
What to Ask a Dog Trainer
Experience, Credentials, and Qualifications
Ask your potential dog trainer about their education, credentials, and qualifications they have. Some trainers will have learnt through apprenticeships and years of experience, whereas others will have taken a more academic route.
Insurance
It’s good to check what kind of insurance they have and what it covers if anything were to go wrong.
Costs
Always ask for a breakdown of costs – what is included in the fee? Do you get a bespoke training plan with set goals to achieve? Do you get any follow-up training sessions?
Find a Trainer at A&T Trained Dogs
Taking into account all of the above, you can also judge a good dog trainer by trusting your gut. Just by speaking with them, you will get a feel for their personality and the type of person they are. At A&T Trained Dogs, our team is highly qualified and offers a variety of dog training services. Get in touch for more information on how we can help you and your dog.
