How to Choose a Trainer

WHAT IS DOG TRAINING?
Dog training is the practice of teaching your dog to respond to the words we commonly use to control their behavior, known as cues or commands. Dogs are not born knowing how to respond to the words traditionally used such as; Sit, Down, Come, Heel and Stay. Keeping responses reliable requires frequent practice. When reliability wanes "touch up" practice sessions are required.

HOW DO I DECIDE WHICH TRAINING METHODS ARE BEST FOR MY DOG?
All dogs should be treated humanely, even while being trained. Physical punishment is not equivalent to, or necessary in, dog training. Reward based training is quick, fun, easy and effective. It creates reliable responses to commands while keeping the human canine bond intact. Your dog need not have to fear physical punishment to be responsive to commands. The trainer you choose for your new family member should use reward based training. Reward based training uses positive reinforcement instead of physical punishment.
Training should enhance the human-canine bond not destroy it! PLEASE NOTE: Group training is what is best for puppies. A group training program with proper socialization exercises will help your puppy to develop appropriate social responses to other dogs and friendly strangers.

HOW DO I CHOOSE AN INSTRUCTOR?

Call and ask for:

• Their credentials
• A brochure or packet
• A business card
• A biography
• A current class schedule
• Ask for references

Call and ask about:

• Observing
• The instructor’s level of experience
• If they completed an apprenticeship
• Class size
• Location: Indoors? Outdoors?
• Their student to instructor ratio
• Insurance
• Veterinary affiliations or endorsements
• Continuing education
• Vaccination protocol

WHAT QUALITIES SHOULD I LOOK FOR IN AN INSTRUCTOR?
A good instructor should be... Pleasant and Courteous. Kind and Friendly to People and Dogs. Patient. Articulate. Experienced. Knowledgeable. CERTIFIED! (at the very least the trainer you choose should be certified through The Certification Counsel For Professional Dog Trainers)

The Benefits of training

KNOWLEDGE: attending a training class with your dog will improve your knowledge about and understanding of how dogs learn.
CONTROL: training keeps your dog out of harms way and keeps your dog from harming others.
RESPECT: training deepens the canine human bond creating mutual respect.
RELIABILITY: training improves your dog's responses to commands.
CLARIFICATION: participating in the training of your dog teaches you how to set boundaries and clarify your expectations humanely.
COMMUNICATION: participating in training teaches you how to communicate clearly and in a way that is easy for your dog to understand.