Finding a good trainer

Today we want to talk about some things you should take into account when choosing a trainer. There are a lot of people out there offering dog training services. It’s hard to make a choice without really knowing them or their method.

A good trainer will evaluate your dog before giving you a solution, answer all your questions, have more than one method to help your dog, and will celebrate progress with you every step of the way. A good trainer will be direct and honest with you, they will tell you what the real problem is and how to fix it. They will not hesitate to correct you if you are doing something wrong and most importantly they will have clients to back them up with ACTUAL results. Why? because they have put them and their dog’s priorities straight and in the best interest.

Things to watch out for:

– If you contact a trainer with a problem, and they are able to tell you exactly what to do without having enough information.
– If they don’t give you any explanation of why they are doing something.
– If they are using tools, but don’t make an introduction of them to your dog, or show YOU how to use them.
– If they compare your dog to any other.
– If they only choose one or two ways to train your dog.
-They care more about their image than you and your dog.
– If they seem sketchy about contacting previous clients.
-They will tell you what you want to hear.

I want to clarify a couple of the things to watch out for: “ If they compare your dog to any other” means actual comparing. It’s OK If they are sharing stories with you that are relevant or will clarify a doubt you have; and “what you want to hear” it’s specific to the changes and the work. Meaning that a good dog trainer, in order to get the results you want with your dog will probably take you out of your comfort zone, will tell you what you need despite what you want, and will tell you all the work that needs to be done, meanwhile a “bad” one will probably not tell you any of these things.

Also very important! Remember WHY you are getting a trainer. Each dog is different and everyone has different goals. Whatever your goals are, make sure they have previous successful clients based on what you are looking for.

Please note: We know there are a lot of other variables, but we tried to simplify what for us are the most important ones. There is a lot of information out there that can help you!
We now have an Instagram highlight featuring balanced trainers from different places that share amazing content! Be sure to check them out.