Choosing the right trainer for you & your dog

You love your dog. You want the best for them—the healthiest food, the tastiest treats, the softest beds. 

You want the best dog trainer, too, but with so much conflicting information and advice swirling around out there, how do you choose?

2 things you should know 

1. Dog training is an unregulated industry 

Unlike your doctor, lawyer, and CPA, dog trainers have no official regulating body. That means no required education, no enforced best practices, and no ethics oversight. The dog training industry hasn’t yet matured out of its Wild West phase.

The results are vast variations in dog trainers’ skills, knowledge, and methodologies–and a confusing chaos of advice. (Think doctors before the medical board existed to ban leeches, or attorneys before the bar formed to hold professionals accountable for ethics violations.)

2. Methodology matters

While the lack of regulation means trainers don’t have to adhere to the science of behavior and training, the science itself is clear about how dogs learn and how best to teach them.

Decades of research show that reward-based, force-free dog training is the only approach to changing behavior that comes without unwanted behavioral side effects, risk of physical harm, and potential damage to the relationship between dogs and their people.

In fact, leading veterinary bodies like American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) agree that reward-based training is the safest, most effective way to train all dogs, regardless of breed, age, size, or temperament. 

Unfortunately, due to the lack of professional education and regulation, outdated practices continue to persist. 

3 tips for screening a professional dog trainer

1. Listen to language

In an unregulated industry, language matters. Hire a dog trainer who is committed to the exclusive use of reward-based, force-free training. Your trainer might also use terms like positive training or positive reinforcement. 

Many trainers will mix the above with outdated methodology, so watch out for terms like “balanced” and “alpha” or claims to match the method to the dog. The science of animal learning applies to all dogs, regardless of size, breed, or personality, and all dogs deserve to be trained without pain, fear, or coercion. A professional dog trainer will not need to use such approaches to get the job done.

2. Beware training guarantees

Professional associations like Pet Professional Guild (PPG) or Association for Professional Dog Training (APDT) prohibit the unethical practice of guaranteeing specific training results. Doing so is a false promise; no one can guarantee the behavior of another living being capable of independent decision making. 

Check that any trainer you consider hiring voluntarily submits to the highest ethical standards by belonging to the PPG or APDT.

Though behavioral guarantees are a red flag, your trainer should guarantee excellent client service and top-notch support to set you and your dog up for success.

3. Look for credentials

Professional learning isn’t yet required, but true professional dog trainers seek it out—because you and your dog deserve effective, up-to-date methods that do no harm. 

Dogs trainers graduated from Karen Pryor Academy have completed a cutting edge course of study covering canine learning theory, training protocols, mechanical skills, and behavioral problem solving. And pro trainers commit themselves to ongoing professional development, seeking each year to keep their skills and knowledge current.

5 questions to ask before you hire

1. What are your dog training qualifications?

You want to hear: Current certification from any of the following organizations. Bonus points for ongoing professional education like seminars, conferences, and additional certification programs.

• Academy for Dog Trainers Graduate or have Academy for Dog Trainers Certificate in Training and Counseling (CTC) from former SF SPCA program

• American College of Veterinary Behaviorists Diplomate (DACVB)

• Animal Behavior College Certified Dog Trainer

• Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (ACAAB)

• Canine Training Technician (Accredited) (CTT-A)

• CATCH Canine Trainers Academy Certified Dog Trainer

• Certified Behavior Consultant through IAABC (Certified Behavior Consultant Certified in the Dog, Cat, Horse or Avian Species or Certified Shelter Behavior Professional

• Certified Behavior Counselor Canine (CBCC-KA)

• Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA or CPDT-KSA)

• Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB)

• Delta Institute Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training

• Dogma Certified Behavior Consultant (DCBC)

• How Behavior Works: Living and Learning with Animals (Dr. Susan Friedman)

• Karen Pryor Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP)

• Member of American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB)

• Pat Miller Certified Trainer (PMCT)

• Professional Canine Behavior Consultant (Accredited) (PCBC-A) through the Pet Professional Accreditation Board

• Professional Canine Trainer (Accredited) (PCT-A)

• Professional Development Diploma in Canine Behavior Analysis and Counseling through the American College of Applied Science

• Veterinary Technician Specialist with Specialty in Behavior; VTS (Behavior)

• Victoria Stilwell Academy Graduate or Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training approved member

Be wary of hearing: Self-taught, mentorship (without a reputable school’s backing), years of experience (again, without a reputable school graduation).

2. What kind of training methodology do you use?

You want to hear: Only reward-based, force-free, or positive-reinforcement based training.

Be wary of hearing: Balanced training, traditional training, it depends on the dog, or corrections or punishment-based training.

3. What kind of training tools do you recommend?

You want to hear: Training treats, toys, clickers, treat pouch, harness, nylon martingale collar, 6 ft leash, long line.

Be wary of hearing: Shock or e-collars, prong collars, choke collars, spray bottles, shake cans, chains, whips.

4. What do you do when a dog makes a mistake?

You want to hear: We try again; we adjust the situation or environment to set the dog up for success; we adjust criteria to work at the dog’s level or make it easier for him to get it right. 

Be wary of hearing: We apply a correction (a collar correction, reprimand, spray from a squirt bottle, alpha roll, etc.)

5. What is your training guarantee? How long will it take to get results?

You want to hear: That it’s considered unethical to guarantee specific training results or a specific timeframe for reaching them. That they guarantee to do everything in their power to set you and your dog up for the best success and to get you there as quickly as possible. 

Be wary of hearing: Any guarantee of a specific outcome; i.e. a guarantee that your dog will or will not do something. Real training results require time and effort. Be wary of quick fix promises and miraculous easy buttons. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

1 more thing…

Your dog trainer should be dog and people-friendly

You deserve to feel comfortable, heard, and supported by your dog trainer—never criticized or judged. Your dog trainer should be actively engaged with you and your dog, and as invested in your training success as you are. 

And though dog training takes time and effort, you and your dog should both enjoy the process. Training can—and should be—fun.

In short, if the relationship doesn’t feel right, trust your gut and keep looking.

Ready to choose your dog trainer?

If you’re ready for a professional dog trainer dedicated to the best possible results for you and your dog, I’d love to hear from you.