You need a dog trainer. You might have been thinking about it a while as your frustrations build. Maybe everything was fine until some kind of life event threw a kink in your canine dream world. Either way, you know you are frustrated, the dog is frustrated, and something’s got to give. It’s time to bring in a trainer. What should you expect?
Here’s my top 6 things to understand about hiring a dog trainer.
One: Picking a trainer might be a difficult task.
Dog training is not a regulated field. There’s lots of people out there who come from a lot of different backgrounds and advocate many different training philosophies. You know from reading this blog that I am all about positive reinforcement. Not only is it based in science, not “tradition,” but it also works to improve your relationship with your dog. Try to find a trainer that advocates positive reinforcement. Not “balanced training.” Not “leader of the pack” crap. Just science based, positive reinforcement training that gives your dog choices, involves no punishments, and makes you feel good.
If you have a knot in your stomach after you talk to a trainer, they are probably not the one for you. Listen to your instincts. Ask for recommendations from friends. Try more than one until you find a good fit, if you need to. Remember, you are responsible for your dog’s happiness and well-being; pick a trainer that makes you feel like you are a team, in it for the best interests of the dog and your family.
Two: You are going to have to answer a LOT of questions.
A good dog trainer tends to have a lot of questions when they first start working with you and your dog. They are going to want to know about other animals in the house, other people in the house, your dog’s history with the vet, what kind of food your dog eats, where they sleep, where they eat, what exactly you want to work on, what your goals are, how the other people in the house are going to help, and a whole bunch of other stuff. It’s a lot of questions. It’s maybe even a little annoying. But know there is a good reason for it. A dog’s behavior doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Behavior is influenced by a ton of factors. A good dog trainer understands that and needs a clear picture before they can help you.
Three: It’s going to cost money.
There’s no getting around this. Dog trainers spend a lot of their own money and time learning everything they need to know to help you. They attend classes, seminars, and conferences. They read articles until 2 in the morning. They research everything they can about protocols that might help your dog. They are professionals, they are invested in the success and well-being of your dog, and they are trying to help your family. They deserve to be paid for that humongous commitment. Trust me, they are not in it for big bucks. They just want to be able to afford to keep helping your pup and all the other ones out there that need training help – and keep a roof over their head at the same time.
Four: There’s no such thing as a “quick fix.”
If you find a dog trainer who promises to fix the problem you are having with your dog in one session, you might want to run, not walk, in the opposite direction. Just like with humans, dog behaviors are not changed over night. There’s a lot of strategy and work that goes into “fixing” or easing a dog problem. The first session or two might give you a huge sense of relief, help you come up with strategies to make life easier in the meantime, and otherwise be wildly successful. But anyone who guarantees you some kind of magically, mystical quick fix is probably a quack. Keep looking for a trainer.
Five: You’ve got a lot of work ahead of you.
Usually, a dog trainer is going to teach you how to train and work with your dog to meet your goals. That means that between each session with your trainer, you need to work with your dog. Every day. Maybe more than once a day. If you don’t, you might not get your money’s worth or see results as quickly as you like. Even if your trainer offers some kind of home school program, where they do most of the hands-on training, they are still going to need you to put in effort to maintain the work they are doing when they are not there in your home. Expect to put in time and effort. Also, remember that time and effort will pay off in an infinitely better and easier relationship with your dog.
Six: Your trainer cares, maybe even more than you realize.
Your dog trainer cares so much about you and your dog. Don’t ever forget that. They wouldn’t be helping you if it weren’t for their deep passion for dogs – and keeping dogs and their families in happy relationships. Trainers take their work seriously, feel deeply, and work hard. They celebrate your successes and hurt when you are hurting. They only want the best for you, for your dog, for your family, and for the community. Trust in that.