We welcome this guest blog from Niki French of Puptalk with her five top tips on finding a great dog trainer
Five Tips on Finding A Dog Trainer
Training is a fun part of having a dog in your life! Don’t see training your dog as something to tick off a list as done! Our dogs’ needs and behaviours change throughout their lives as they grow older and as the world around them changes. Make it fun for everyone, and you won’t want to stop.
Training is an important part of being a responsible dog owner, as well as providing mental stimulation. By making training games part of daily life, you can have a calm and happy dog at the heart of your family.
1. Do I like them?
Most trainers will be happy to have a brief chat with you about how they work and whether they are right for you. Do you like their style? Does it ‘feel’ right?
If they won’t talk to you before booking, or you don’t ‘gel’ with them, walk away and talk to other trainers.
2. Are they qualified?
The industry is currently unregulated, anyone can call themselves a dog trainer. There are many different courses that dog trainers can study. Do your research and find out what training they have undertaken, are they up-to-date with modern methods and what experience do they have?
Ask for a number of testimonials from recent clients or get recommendations from other dog owners that you trust.
3. What methods do they use?
There are too many stories of dog-owners going to trainers who use out-of-date training methods. This includes all forms of punishment or aversive training. Please ensure only positive training methods are used.
No spray bottles, throwing noises or things at them, no bark collars and prong collars are a big no and illegal.
4. How do they teach?
With the pandemic, many new alternatives to in-person training are now open to you.
What’s your budget? 1-2-1 training is obviously more expensive than group or class training. But 1-2-1 training can be completely tailored to you and what you want to get out of it. Ask about how big the in-person classes are?
If you haven’t considered on-line training, it can be very effective via video conferencing platforms like zoom. The trainer can demonstrate with their dog, or show you videos as they explain the training. You should also be able to try the training yourself and get feedback on how it’s working for you and your dog.
Online training can work just like an in-person session. But you have the added advantage of learning in an environment that isn’t full of distractions. This is really beneficial for puppies and dogs that find group classes or public spaces exciting or scary.
5. Do you need a dog trainer or a vet behaviourist?
You can think of a dog trainer as a teacher or a coach. They can help identify the problems you’re having, teaching you skills, and coaching you through what you need to do. A vet behaviourist is more like seeing a therapist. This may be required for more complex behavioural issues.
Other helpful points:
Is it too late to start training my adult dog?
Never! You absolutely can ‘teach an old dog new tricks’. Whether you’ve rehomed or rescued an older dog, or you want some help with training your existing adult dog, rest assured. With the right training, all dogs can learn, at any age.
Are there underlying medical issues?
Please note: If there are any sudden changes in your dog’s behaviour a vet check is always advised to rule out any medical issues before you commence a new training plan.
Wow they are great Five Top Tips on Finding A Great Dog Trainer from Niki, she is an amazing positive dog trainer, she has an online group, if you want to get in touch with Niki and see great demos from the lovely Bodie catch them in their Free Facebook group here, or their Instagram page
Do you like a Podcast?? Listen to Niki’s Pup Talk The Podcast
Also Niki has a free Download PDF – Ease Your Pup Out Of Lockdown, click here for that!!
Looking for amazing natural training treats to use in your lessons, you are in the best place, why not check out the training treat bundle here
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