Dog Trainer

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. The provider should belong to a nationally recognized professional organization and meets ethical, knowledge and skill standards set by that organization. Also make sure you are comfortable with the methods that the trainer uses, and that those methods are current and humane. Your dog depends on you to do what's best for him and to keep him safe.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. How can I get my dog to magically respond and obey me like the trainer guy on TV?
It's really not magic, although it may seem that way. Dogs are not humans. What is important and relevant to them may not be what is important and relevant to us. They communicate using their own body language which humans often misinterpret or do not notice. They are not born understanding English and are not verbal the way we are. Yet how many of us have said the same command over and over in a louder and louder voice when our dogs don't listen? With professional coaching, you can learn how to decipher a dog's body language and better understand your dog. You will also learn proper timing and technique so your message to your dog is crystal clear.

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. Know when it is time to seek professional help for a behavior problem, especially when it involves aggression. The earlier remedial training starts, the better the chance of resolution or improvement. Don't wait to see if it will go away. Aggressive behaviors usually get worse with time if not properly addressed.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. The people! I often hear those who aspire to become dog trainers say they love working with dogs and are good at it. They seldom if ever mention that they love working with people. Knowledge of training and a love of dogs are definitely requirements to becoming a trainer, but I believe that a passion for people is just as important, if not more. After all, it's the owner that needs to learn new skills in order to improve his or her dog's behavior. A skilled trainer will have the patience and understanding to teach people how to effectively train their non-human baby. Both dog and owner are "beginners" in a way, and that is the kind of challenge I love. My aim is for my clients and dogs to have as much fun as I do during our consultations. And judging from their smiles (yes, dogs do smile), I know I am doing it right!

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. Can I send my dog away to your place for training?

If your dog lives with you and the problems occur at home, then the best place to train is with you in your home. Board-and-train can be effective (and costly), but you the owner must still learn the skills necessary to manage and control your dog. Trusting Paws Dog Training does not provide board-and-train services at this time.

Is my dog aggressive?

If your dog growls, snaps, or lunges at people or other dogs, or if you think your dog is being protective, you have an aggression problem. Your dog is probably "really sweet" most of the time. Aggression is not a dirty word! It just means your dog is troubled and needs help.
If you are thinking about seeking help, don't delay. This type of problem usually won't go away on its own. Each time your dog displays inappropriate behavior, he is practicing it. And the more you punish or scold your dog, the worse it will get.

I highly recommend a thorough veterinary exam to rule out any health problems that may contribute to your dog's aggression, including hypothyroidism.

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. I punish my dog when he does something bad, but he keeps doing it. What am I doing wrong?

There are many problems inherent with poorly applied punishment. Your timing must be perfect so the dog correctly associates the punishment with his misdeed and not something else, including you. This is more difficult to accomplish than it sounds. The dog might learn that it is only safe to misbehave when you are not around, or that sometimes you are a frightening person to be around.

Dogs vary in temperament. A dog that is sensitive might become anxious or hand shy if punishment is too harsh. A confident dog may decide that being naughty is worth the risk of being punished, or he may become defensive. We need to teach our dogs correct behavior as well as what not to do. And most importantly, good behavior needs to be rewarded often (something most of us don't do often enough). After all, it is human nature to notice our dog being bad and ignore him when he is being good. We need to try and see the world from the dog's perspective and change our own behavior if we want our dog to improve.