In a study of 1,800 dog owners, 45.5 percent did their training, and 46.7 percent took their dogs to a class.
Selecting the best dog training program, whether you want to enroll in obedience classes or schedule private sessions to address your dog’s behavior issue, can be a tough task.
Since dog training is not regulated, anybody can call themselves a dog trainer, regardless of their educational background.
So, what should you be on the lookout for? This article explains how to choose the right dog training program.
Certification
A person needs no special training or credentials to set up a dog training business. However, when looking to hire a dog trainer, it’s wise to look for those that have taken the money and time to become genuine professionals through training.
Look for a dog trainer with a college degree in animal behavior or similar fields. Focus on employing an expert that is certified through a well-known association.
Specialty
Most dog trainers teach all things, starting with ways to address annoying behaviors such as excessive chewing, biting, and destroying furniture to basic dog obedience.
Opt for an expert with experience training your dog’s particular breed. This will facilitate effectiveness in addressing your dog’s particular needs.
References
Professional dog trainers can give references from their satisfied clients. When contacting the references, question whether the trainer was reliable, dependable, and professional.
Ask the references about their experience and whether they would consider working with the same trainer if they were to get another dog. Don’t forget to ask them if the trainer successfully established the dog’s trust and whether the training yielded any results.
Training Methods
Dog training methods vary, and trainers tend to go with the techniques they’re most comfortable using when teaching. If your dog fails to respond to their training method positively, request the expert to use other training techniques. If they fail to consider your request, try out another trainer.
Class Structure
Small class sizes allow the dog trainer to give more personal attention. Before you pick an expert, find out whether there is enough room for all the dogs and parents to participate during the training.
It is wise to have the pet and the parent participate during the training to facilitate effectiveness.
Before attending a class, confirm whether the trainers expect all dogs to be up-to-date with their vaccinations. If the experts don’t point out this, proceed to look for other, more cautious trainers.
Visit the Facility
Once you have identified a good trainer, request to tour the facility to learn more about their services. This will give you a chance to know whether the place is clean and have an idea of how the experts train dogs.
Choose the Best Dog Training program
Trying to find the best dog training program can be difficult. But by avoiding red flags, you can navigate the often treacherous path and find the best trainer you can trust.
Ultimately, all dogs deserve trainers who help guide the dog/human team in making the correct choices by using the power of positive training.
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