What to look for in a Dog Trainer/Canine Behaviourist

For the majority of dog owners, choosing the right dog trainer/behaviourist is one of the most important decisions you will have to make regarding your dog. Unfortunately, it can also be one of the most difficult decisions to get right. I hear from so many people who have had bad experiences with previous trainers/behaviourists.

Not every dog trainer/behaviourist will suit everyone. Trainers have different ideas and methods and owners want different things for their dogs.

When I train my own dogs there’s people who I will go out of my way to train with and people I will avoid like the plague. I always look for someone better than myself to train with. There’s always something new to learn and each and every dog you own will have something new to teach you.

Although there are many dog training organizations, schools and associations, dog training remains an unregulated profession. Anyone can claim to be a dog trainer regardless of the type or level of education or experience in the field.

Things to consider when choosing a Trainer/Behaviourist:

• What reputation do they have – what do their previous and existing clients say about them.
• What qualifications do they have.
• How much experience do they have.
• Are they canine first aid trained
• Are they human first aid trained
• Do they have relevant insurance
• What success have they had with their own dog/s
• What do they do with their own dog/s
• What success have their students had
• What facilities do they have available
• Do they have experience with your breed
• What methods do they use