Choosing your Dog Trainer

Employing a trainer is a fabulous way to enhance your dog’s life and your relationship with your dog but it can be a tough choice deciding who will be a good fit. As well as varying degrees of experience and qualifications, methods can differ greatly.

Some trainers will ask for a minimum booking e.g. $400 for 5 sessions and others you will agree to see you for a single consultation.
Remember that if you find a trainer who will offer you a single appointment that you might be paying around $100 but it would also usually involve a trainer providing you with a detailed questionnaire beforehand so they can get a clear picture of your dog, his history and how it fits into your household and lifestyle. So prior to even arriving at your home they have done some homework. Trainers who only book in blocks will also have a number of questions so please answer as honestly as possible. You are not there to be judged but people cannot help you unless they know exactly what has been going on. It’s your money so don’t waste it. Although block sessions are out of reach for some budgets they do offer a trainer the time to be able to keep a close eye on changes and improvements, help to keep you on track and potentially address a number of issues.  Training can be conducted in your home, at a venue or you also may be given the option to send the dog to stay with the trainer for an amount of time.

Methods vary from purely positive to yank and crank with many variances in between. Trick training is a different angle compared to behavioural problems and be prepared to be trained yourself as most trainers will need to find out how you behave around your dog. Chances are that if your dog is not presenting a behaviour issue, you wouldn’t be employing a trainer. But if you are employing a trainer for a reason besides behaviour, that is wonderful news.

Ask him or her if there are any other notable trainers appearing on the Internet whom they liken themselves to. If they give you an example, you can check out a few videos and see if those methods are something which interest you.

If at any time you do not feel comfortable with what is required in encouraging a dog to comply with a request, call a pause and ask to have a discussion about that. Training is a two-way conversation.

Leah & Angela OMeara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)