FAQs
- What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
Research the experience level of the trainer by asking questions about how they received their education and how they continue to update their knowledge. Dog trainers are not required to be certified, but many are. Don't settle for someone that claims to have x years of experience if that includes training their own dogs! They need experience training the dogs of clients.
- What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?
It is difficult to determine the skill level of your dog trainer without listening carefully to the things that they say. Trainers should use modern concepts of dog training such as shaping (using luring, clicker training, markers and bridges) as their primary training methods. Trainers that do not talk about these concepts or use them in their practices are likely operating from 'old school' training techniques. You can tell that a trainer is 'old school' if they require the use of choke chains or pinch collars only. There are times when these are the best tools for the job, but they are not required or beneficial for all dogs. If they have a 'one size fits all' training style, they lack experience and have not expanded their education. Find another trainer.