Finding a Dog Trainer

Our dogs are part of our family and finding a qualified dog trainer is essential for their behavioral health! But why is it so hard to find a skilled trainer and how can we make sure that they have our dog’s best interests in mind?

Why can it be so hard to find a skilled trainer?

• Dog training is an unregulated industry and anyone can start training even with NO experience!

• Conflicting views on types of training methods can be confusing.

• Many trainers are not clear about the methods they use or the fallout of those methods.

• Effectiveness is not the only thing that matters! While many methods of training can be effective in the moment, they do not always factor in long term results or value a dog’s wellbeing.

What’s the best way to train?

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior supports the use of reward-based methods for ALL canine training, including the treatment of behavior challenges like fear and aggression.

What to look for in a trainer?

• Uses food, toys, or other reinforcers to reward desired behaviors and train alternative behaviors.

• Prioritizes your dog feeling safe and does not use force, intimidation, frustration, or coercion in their training plans.

• Makes sure a dog’s basic needs are met, such as enough sleep, chances to sniff, exercise, and other species-specific behaviors like chewing and shredding.

• Seeks out continuing education courses.

• Understands the relationship between behavior and potential pain/medical issues.

• Collaborates with other training professionals and veterinary behaviorists as needed.

What should I avoid?

Aversives use intimidation, fear, coercion, or pain to get desired behaviors or stop undesirable ones and should ALWAYS be avoided. This can include:

• “Training collars” like prong collars, slip leads, choke chains, and shock collars (also called: e-collars, vibration collars, bark collars, invisible fence collars).

• Startling the dog with loud noises, spray bottles, shouting, or throwing things at or near them.

• Physically forcing into positions, scruffing necks, holding mouths closed, or alpha rolls.

• Physical corrections like jerking the leash or “leash pops”, kneeing a dog that jumps up, or hanging them in the air by the collar.

Why should I avoid aversive methods?

Teaching via aversive methods has risks and potential fallouts, which can include but are not limited to increased fear, anxiety, and aggression; redirected aggression towards guardian or others; avoidance and shut down behaviors; breakdown of trust; and injury to the dog.