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Dog Training - What do you look for?

Last post 01-12-2008, 5:49 PM by jb17690. 2 replies.
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Dog Training - What do you look for?
11-25-2007, 6:43 PM 2094

By merlot17 Top 10 Contributor soho - new york

My friend in Seattle is looking for a dog trainer and asked me what to look for? Which made me realize that I got really lucky when I found the trainer that helped me -- she was fantatstic!! But I also didn't ask many questions before I got started . . .

 

Any advice on how to select a trainer? 


[merlot17]
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Re: Dog Training - What do you look for?
11-30-2007, 1:49 AM 2097 in reply to 2094

she will want to ask what training method the trainer uses, some people are more comfortable with the clicker training, others with the old style, and still others with a different style. If she would preffer the clicker training, and she ends up with a trainer who only knows the old style, she will not be happy. Also, she will want to ask what kind of dogs the trainer has trained (I would ask this before letting the trainer know what kind of dog she is wanting trained), as different breeds tend to respond to different training methods in different ways.Such as, pit bulls; they have a high tolerence for pain, so the best way to train them is with possitive reinforcement, because even though they can tollerate pain, a pinch collar is not a good idea as this will associate pulling to another dog with pain and make them want to react to the pain with aggression. On the other hand, a German Shepard can have a pinch collar, and some (not all) need it. I avoided the pinch collar with my German Shepard by using the Halti (or Gentle Leader, they are pretty much the same thing). It also will depend on the dog and how submissive they are, so she will also want to ask if the trainer is prepared to adjust their training style to match the temperment and needs of the dog.

That would be my suggestions, I would have to think of what else to ask. I have trained all my dogs, and just now using an outside trainer for the advance work, but I also knew she viewed training like me too.

Re: Dog Training - What do you look for?
01-12-2008, 5:49 PM 2181 in reply to 2094

By jb17690 Top 200 Contributor
I am a dog trainer and I have seen alot of trainers who use the "crank and yank" method which makes the dog listen to the trainer and owner for a little while and then after 4 weeks you need another training session which benefits the trainer not the dog. Most trainers care about money more then they do about dogs. She needs to find a trainer who will teach her how to train her dog with his help and guidence not someone who will train the dog and not teach her anything. 
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