If The Dog Trainer Needed a Dog Trainer
Bouncing off of last week’s post on dog trainer credentials, this week I’m talking about what I would look for in a trainer before hiring them to help with my dog!
If you’ve worked with me you likely have a good idea of how I like to train and how I like to treat dogs. If you haven’t worked with me, I will tell you that I focus strongly on positive reinforcement (rewarding the dog for behaviors I like), managing the environment to set dogs up for success, and I never use tools or tactics intended to scare, annoy, startle, or intimidate dogs. If you want to read more on my philosophy, check out my FAQ page.
As a savvy dog owner, I’m not just going to hire the first person recommended to me or the first result that pops up on google! I want to hire someone that complements my philosophy.
Initially, I would do a google search to look at the options in my area. From there, I would begin examining each business more closely.
Online Presence
The Website
I first look at the pricing of their services. Prices that are super cheap (for my area) are a red flag for me as that could mean they are not qualified to train professionally or they just train as a side hobby and may not take it seriously.
Then, I check out their “about” or “faq” pages to get a feel for their training philosophy. Specifically, I want to see keywords and phrases like “positive reinforcement”, “fear free”, “negative punishment”, “rewards”, “training cues”, “loose leash walking”, “enrichment”, “training should be fun”, etc. Conversely, I want to avoid a business using keywords and phrases like “balanced”, “respect”, “command”, “pack leader”, “dominant”, “leash correction”, “shock”, “stim”, “bonk”, “pack walk”, etc.
2. Facebook or Other Social Media
Similar to what I do on the website, I also look for keywords and phrases on their facebook. Again, getting a feel for what their training philosophies may be.
I also look at the business’s photos with particular interest in the dogs. I want to see dogs that have relaxed or excited body language. If the dogs appear stressed in most of the business’s photos that raises the alarm. In addition, I am also observing what training tools are in use in the pictures. Choke chains, slip leads, prong collars, shock collars, shaker cans, and static mats earn a definitive “no thank you” from me.
Lastly, I look over their reviews. I’m not particularly interested in how many they have or even their actual rating. I am actually interested in the negative reviews. I want to read through any bad experiences people have written about and then see how the business responds. Number one, does the bad experience seem legitimate? Number two, did the business respond in a sincere fashion or immediately go on the defensive?
3. Search the Trainers
I do a google search of the trainer’s name with the phrase “dog trainer” and look through the results. Specifically, I am looking for what dog industry organizations they are associated with (if any) and if there is any “local buzz” surrounding them.
With this prep work completed I then contact the business and work through my list of screening questions.
Screening Questions
Are you insured?
They absolutely need to have liability insurance and should be able to provide proof if I ask.
2. What safety protocols do you have in place in the event of an emergency?
There could be a variety of answers for this depending on the business’s setup, so I’m not looking for a specific answer. However, I am looking for a clear answer which indicates that they have given these things a lot of thought.
3. Have you ever been bitten by a dog you’re training?
A good trainer should rarely be bitten. If the person I’m talking to has a boastful attitude about being bitten and sees it as a “badge of honor” that is of huge concern to me.
4. Are you certified in dog training or dog behavior consulting?
If I’m going to hire them, they have to be certified. In addition, I am looking for their education to be through a school or certifying body that promotes positive reinforcement based training.
5. Do you participate in continuing education opportunities?
Some schools and certifying bodies require students to participate in continuing education units in order to keep their credentials. Given that the dog training industry is frequently changing and progressing I want the trainer I hire to be in touch with the current science.
6. How many years of professional experience do you have in training dogs?
My concern with the answer to this question would be related to the type of training I need. If I am looking for simple basic obedience training or puppy skills I would not be overly concerned with lots of professional experience. However, if I am looking for assistance with a more complex behavioral challenge I would prefer to hire a trainer with at least 5 years experience.
7. Do you guarantee results?
If I’m going to hire them, the answer should be a flat “no”. These are dogs, not appliances!
8. Are there some cases that you do not accept?
Some trainers work with lots of different cases, but it would be uncommon to find a trainer that takes on all types of cases. Further if the trainer is relatively inexperienced, it would be a red flag if they were to tell me that they accept complex behavioral cases like aggression or separation anxiety.
9. Do you have a training specialty?
Much like the medical field, professionals in the training industry may specialize in certain areas. If I were seeking help with a complex behavioral challenge I would love to work with a trainer that specializes in the area I need assistance with.
10. What tools do you use when training?
I’ve already mentioned some tools that I do not want to use with my dogs. However, there are many other tools out there that are by design intended to annoy, harm, scare, or cause discomfort to dogs, so if I feel a tool the trainer mentions fits this description I would not be interested in hiring them. Tools that I would like to hear the trainer uses could include clickers, food, treat pouches, toys, long lines, harnesses, and stations.
11. What should happen if my dog does an undesired behavior?
If their answer suggests they will do something to annoy, harm, scare, or cause discomfort for my dog I will not hire them.
12. What should happen if my dog does a desired behavior?
At minimum, they should say the dog will be rewarded. However, it would be great if they went into more detail about how we choose what reward to give for certain situations and behaviors based on my dog’s reward hierarchy.
Once I have gotten through this screening process I will generally be ready to hire the trainer or walk away depending on their answers. Some stipulations are non-negotiable like the use of aversive tools or lack of credentials, whereas others require more thought like years of experience and training specialty.
