Guidelines to finding the right trainer

 Well I don't know if this helps, but when looking for trainers/clubs for myself....

• Practice what they preach - if I'm looking for a Schutzhund trainer or helper/decoy I want someone that's trained and titled several dogs, several breeds. 
• Breed experience - I'm a firm believer that genetics are the greatest influence on temperament so if I'm looking for help training my GSD it will have to be someone that understands the GSD breed, not a "catch all" type trainer.
• Willing to demonstrate - I won't train with anyone that outright bans certain tools or methods and/or requires others.  They need to be able to demonstrate to me why their tool or method is superior.  Good training speaks for itself.
• Help me help my dog - No one handles my dogs but me, period, end of story.  I will drive great distances and pay large sums of money for good trainers to help me help my dog but I'm not handing my leash over to anyone, ever.
  

 I've only thought about this in terms of training, not major behavior issues.   So my thoughts may not apply.

1.  I want someone who has worked with his / her dogs: Agility, Flyball, Herding, Field Work, something.  That person has learned to read dog body language, knows what to look for and can point it out to me in my dog.  Some places (ala PetCo, PetsMart, etc), the trainer has passed a written test but never owned a dog!  Good grief!  

2.  I am only interested in positive training methods.  Alpha dog terms, dominance terms, alpha rolls, a supporter of Monks of New Skete (we have 2 in my area who advocate that old method!) those people are NOT for me.  I listen for these terms as I speak with the person prior to signing on; and look for them in brochures etc.  

Freedom

 I've only thought about this in terms of training, not major behavior issues.   So my thoughts may not apply.

1.  I want someone who has worked with his / her dogs: Agility, Flyball, Herding, Field Work, something.  That person has learned to read dog body language, knows what to look for and can point it out to me in my dog.  Some places (ala PetCo, PetsMart, etc), the trainer has passed a written test but never owned a dog!  Good grief!  

2.  I am only interested in positive training methods.  Alpha dog terms, dominance terms, alpha rolls, a supporter of Monks of New Skete (we have 2 in my area who advocate that old method!) those people are NOT for me.  I listen for these terms as I speak with the person prior to signing on; and look for them in brochures etc.  

 

 

That is the thing, there are different trainers for different needs.  I was just using behavior issues as an example when seeking out a trainer. Most people look to a trainer because they hit a roadblock with their dog and need a little extra guidance.  For myself I am past that and look for a trainer more for the sport than the behavior.

Right now, I look for a trainer for maintenance training.  Someone who can help me understand my own training style and has the background to prove they are dedicated to the type of training I do.  A coach if you would. I appreciate someone who is honest with me. I am starting Treibbal in the spring so I want someone who understands the rules of the sport to guide me how to do it. Someone who can set me up with the foundation work then set me free to try it on my own.

However, for many typical dog owners, I think the human connection with a trainer should be just as vital as the understanding of dog behavior.  In cases where the owner is new to dog training is is very important that the trainer get through to the person in order to train the dog. It is a fine ballance. I have heard many times that someone went to a trainer and was was really dissopointed in the way the trainer just yelled at them for everything they did wrong.  Many were too scared to even go back or try anouther trainer because of a bad experance.  Some of the trainers who do this I know personaly and know they are exceleant dog handerlers, just don't have the people skills to go along with that. I don't mind hearineg what I need to hear but I can see how it can come off as offensive for someone just trying to figure their dog out.

I think one has to be honest with themselves about what they need in a trainer and how their own communication style effects their training.  I don't mind a more militant style, someone telling me quite frankly when I am wrong and why.  Unless I am perfect, which I rarely am, I expect I am doing something wrong with the dog and would like to know what it is so I can fix it.  I don't let my emotions get in the way of my dog's potential and our progress.  Often the types of stuff we are training are things that done incorrectly can get a dog or person hurt.  If I think the person is truly out of line, I will walk away and put my money where my mouth is.  No one is obligated to pay someone if they are in any way uncomfortable with how they or their dog is being treated.

Which leads into my next point that as the owner/handler we are always there to advocate for our dog.  It doesn't matter if I've paid some sort of guru to school me in some method I have no experience with, if I think he's wrong about how my dog is being treated then I'm not game, end of story.  I don't care that I'm not the world champion at Schutzhund, I still direct my dogs' programs, how and when they are worked in protection and by whom.  Same thing for flyball which I'm very new at, if I see my dog getting tired or Nikon starting to struggle, I say he's done.

Liesje

Which leads into my next point that as the owner/handler we are always there to advocate for our dog. 

I agree.  What I have seen from personal hands on experience, from both ends of the scenario (as the trainer and the trainee), is that many dog owners don't know enough to know if any given method or treatment is good or bad.   If someone is telling you to do something that just feels wrong or you just aren't sure if it's a good idea, walk on out of there with your dog and get yourself educated on dogs and how they learn best. Not speaking to you personally Lies as I know you're well versed in dogs and capable of judging a trainer.

I look for a trainer who I can communicate with and who shares my belief that it's all about teaching the human and then passing on the methods of teaching the dog.   There really isn't that much new in the world of dog training.  There is a lot more verbage tossed around by some trainers these days to presumably impress the novice with their knowledge. 

The first thing I would do as a novice looking for a trainer(using that wonderful 20/20 hindsight we all have) is to educate myself on dogs and how they learn and then go about choosing a trainer based on that knowledge.

Experience is also very important to me but I wouldn't rule out a trainer because they had only been training for a few years nor would I necessarily favor a trainer because they'd been training for 50 years.  I think dog trainers should be interviewed the same way you would interview a tutor for your child.  You may save money with trainer X but if trainer Y is the better trainer, you're money won't be wasted or your time.

The ability of a trainer to teach what they know is very important.  It's no good if the trainer can train your dog if that trainer can't explain it in such a way that a complete novice can grasp and carry on the training.

I've walked out of several training classes due to a conflict with the trainer/s.  These are not necessarily bad trainers but they tend to have a formula and if a dog doesn't fit into their equation, they get frustrated and start to fumble around.   I just don't have the patience or the ability to keep my mouth shut in that type of scenario and I won't allow a trainer to do something to my dog that I think is unfair or harmful.

 You are right. There is a difference between teasing with someone, if you know them well, and an instructor, who really doesn't know the person, teasing them about being wrong. It just plain is not the thing to do. An instructor should be trying to encourage them on a positive note. That positive training should be for the people as well as the dogs....right?

nymaureen

 You are right. There is a difference between teasing with someone, if you know them well, and an instructor, who really doesn't know the person, teasing them about being wrong. It just plain is not the thing to do. An instructor should be trying to encourage them on a positive note. That positive training should be for the people as well as the dogs....right?

 I'm not sure if it's been mentioned yet, but don't go to anyone who promises to fix any behavior issue in X amount of time.  I see all these websites with 'before and after" videos and making wild claims about how they fix issues in one lesson and without using "cookies."  And I KNOW these people sucker them in.

 I always advise people to see if there are reviews of the place not on the person's website (places like Yelp, etc.) and to go watch the person in action (without your dog).

And for me, personally, I refuse to go to any place that WILL use choke chains, prongs or shock collars on dogs.  I'm not comfortable in such a place, I personally feel they have no place in training, and I will NOT use anything like that on my dog.  I stupidly didn't follow my own advice once and felt I could handle it.  The place was all about domination, telling me my dog was "acting fearful to manipulate me" and wanted me to drag my dog around when she was scared of going into part of the room.  I won't go to any place now that does not advocate for positive reinforcement.

I am a dog trainer/behaviour consultant by career, so my views are obviously different than that of the average person. But as a trainer, in order to do best by your clients, there are some basics that I feel are a must.  I wrote an article last year about what clients should be asking when they inquire about trainers, and what things to keep in mind.

http://courteouscanine.blogspot.com/2011_04_01_archive.html