Dog Community

questions on evaluating a trainer (jm)

Posted : 6/27/2008 1:27:54 PM

ok, so i found a trainer in the classifieds of one of the expatriate magazines today, and contacted her (i think it's a she...) this is what her add said:

Pet Dog Obedience Training Instructor I have received Animal Behavior College Pet Dog Obedience Training Instructor Certificate from the U.S. and started practice in Beijing. To achieve ABC Certified Dog Trainer status took me approximately 60 weeks worth of study and 3 months externship in the U.S. as well as having to successfully pass nine written examinations, a practical exam and a final examination. My goal is to help you and your dog enjoy life together. My training methods include: • Motivational techniques • Non-confrontational • Operant Conditioning My services include: • Private lessons and group classes of Basic Obedience Commands: Focus, Sit, Down, Stay, Leave It, Loose Leash Walking, and Heel. • Problem Solving Consultation: Jump, Chew, Nip, Dig, Bark, and Potty Training

here's my email to her:

hi,

my name is janet and i currently have 2 dogs here in beijing.

i was interested to know, what sort of experience you have dog agression or fear agression in general? specifically have you dealt with agressive dogs before? what type of agression did they display? what methods did you use to work on these issues?

one of my dogs, jason, (some sort of pekinese mix) is very nervous by nature. due to some bad experiences with other dogs (in his eyes! they were only playing! he has not been attacked!) and the lack of socialization during the 3-4 months of dog culling 2 years ago in beijing, he has developped quite the dog agression. he will also growl or even snap at people if he feels threatened. the growling i dont mind! at least he is giving warning signs.

i actually will not have time to see you for the next few weeks, but want to explore your services as an option, if i feel i am comfortable with your services, as soon as i find some time.

also, if you could give me a rough idea of what you charge for your services.

oh, also: you are fluent in english, right? my dogs are trained in english, so...

thank you in advance!

janet

what do you guys think?

what should i look for in her response? any tips for dealing with this person?

i am NOT putting all my hopes on this, but i figured, it couldnt hurt to just see how it goes...

corgipower

Posted : 6/27/2008 1:39:33 PM

One thing I would ask for is references from others who have had similar problems that she's worked with. If she's relatively new as a trainer ~ which the ad sounds like ~ I would get references from the school she went to. Find out if she attended in person or if it was correspondence. Find out if she has other trainers or behaviorists in Beijing that mentor her or other sources for continuing her education. I never expect a trainer to know everything, but I like to see that they have sources to ask when there is something new, or places they can send you if they can't help. Also, find out if you can watch her teach. If you can watch her teach someone with similar issues, even better. If not, find out if she does an evaluation before you commit to classes. With dog-on-dog issues, does she have a reliable dog to expose your dog to as needed?

janetmichel3009

Posted : 6/27/2008 1:43:23 PM

ah, yes, good call about the references!

i did want to ask her about eval classes, watching her teach and a possible dog to use for training jason, but at this point i didnt want to put words in her mounth, you know what i mean? i wanted to see how much of this she will mension on her own....

will definately ask for references! that hadnt occured to me!

Liesje

Posted : 6/27/2008 1:54:20 PM

I would go watch her train. I've gone to several trainers in my area and even though they all used relatively the same curriculum and methods, there were some that just didn't *click* with me. If I'm going to spend all that time and money, I at least want someone that has a personality I like and someone I think my dogs will like.

Some things I avoid are trainers that require one type of tool/collar for all dogs, trainers that want to do the work on my dog (I want a trainer that will train ME how to train my dog, not someone to come in, grab my dogs leash and try to "set him straight";), and class sizes that are limited (in my experience, more than 4-6 dogs gets chaotic). Also when I ask a question the trainer answers and gives me additional resources from other trainers not just offering their word as gold (ie, a trainer that knows his/her own limits).

janetmichel3009

Posted : 6/27/2008 2:06:54 PM

yes, i definately want to watch her train!

her add says she uses positive methods. i hope so. i WILL not stress out jason more by using any type of physical corrections. i think it can be fine with some dogs. but jason is not one of them!

also, class size isnt really an issue for me right now, because i wouldnt put jason in a group class at this point anyways. would probably be way too much overstimulation. but it might be interesting for the future to take moca too...

i think that is one other thing on my mind. if i find i am not comfortable with her experience or suggestions on dealing with jasons DA, i might still just take an ordinary obedience class with moca, just for fun... we'll see, i guess...

keep the suggestions coming...

corgipower

Posted : 6/27/2008 4:54:13 PM

janetmichel3009
i did want to ask her about eval classes, watching her teach and a possible dog to use for training jason, but at this point i didnt want to put words in her mounth, you know what i mean? i wanted to see how much of this she will mension on her own....

Keep in mind that even if she doesn't mention everything you want to hear, that shouldn't be taken as any indication of inadequacy. Stuff like letting prospective clients watch me teach is something I often fail to mention, but I'm happy to allow it. A trainer should always be receptive to questions and be willing to take the time to answer any that you have.

janetmichel3009

Posted : 6/28/2008 4:19:13 AM

yes. iknow it doesnt mean she doesnt know what she is doing. i will still ask.

dont worry, i wouldnt dismiss her too quickly either. simply because i dont get chances like this very often...

havent heard from her yet, but then again it's saturday... :)

janetmichel3009

Posted : 6/29/2008 1:13:46 AM

she answered my email!!

she says she is not qualified to deal with behavioural issues. i actually really liked her honesty. she still gave me some basic advice in her email on how to deal with jason's problems, but basically nothing i didnt know before.

anyhow... i think i'll just take a group class with moca there. that might be fun. :) and it will give me a chance to see how things are done there. if i perceive it as safe (which i doubt) i can still take jason to a class as well.

oh well... bummer...