While I realize that some people here have trained dogs for so many years that they likely wouldn't need outside training, let's just assume for the sake of this question that you do...
Of course, training dogs does not require any type of formal education at all. Any individual can start a business and advertise and market themselves as a dog trainer. The question is... Are they really capable?
What kind of evidence do you need in order to know that trainer is qualified and has the proper background and abiltiy to actually train in the first place? Do you actually need evidence, or are you willing to go for it and hope for the best without knowing for sure?
Do they need to have a titled dog in the area of training? Students that trained with them that have titled dogs? Does their breed make a difference?
I will give my opinions in a bit after I have had some input here first :c)
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Recommended Answer:If/when I am seeking out a trainer, I'm looking for someone to help me train for some level of competition/working. Obedience, Schutzhund, Agility, Herding, Hunting, whatever. As others said, I'd look for someone who specializes in that field, and is accustomed to working breeds *similar* to mine, in similar disciplines. I would not take a high drive Malinois to an AKC Obedience trial trainer who has nothing but Goldens, and expect her to train with me in Schutzhund obedience work, for example.
I'd want to see titles on the trainer's dogs, and titles on her *student's* dogs as well. There are very skilled & knowledgeable "dog trainers" who are great at training their own dogs, but are lousy TEACHERS. Since working with a trainer means the HUMAN is the one being taught how to teach the dog....the trainer must have proven people-teaching skills, if that makes sense.
Breed makes a difference if there is a drastic contrast between each breeds' "style". If I had an Aussie I was training to herd, I wouldn't even bat an eye at working with a BC trainer. However, if (when!) I get a Beauceron, should I decide to try herding, I'd want to find a trainer who is accustomed to training "continental" herding dogs; as their working style is vastly different than BC's, Aussies, etc. Same goes for if I lost my marbles one day & decided to have a go with Basenjis in the Obedience ring....I would try to find a trainer who had successfully worked Sighthounds or Primitive breeds in the Obed ring, not a Golden Retriever person.
I absolutely would not just "go for it" and hope for the best. Bad training can downright RUIN a dog, requiring weeks, if not months, of work to "un-do" what went wrong. I have had that experience ONCE. Never again. Maybe it's a chance you can take when trying to teach a dog not to jump on the furniture...if you can screw that up, you don't need to train IVY much less a dog. But when you're talking bitework, herding, field work....even Obed/Agility, you're asking for a more intense, mentally demanding level of work from the dog. Push a dog too far, too fast, or use the wrong method and you'll be weeks, months fixing that mistake. Not a chance I'm willing to take.
IMO it's the trainers who cater to the "manners/behavior problems" crowd people need to watch out for. Like the Petsmart trainers, and many of the Yellow Pages yahoos; some of these folks have a 6 week vo-tech course and they're calling themselves dog trainers. Ask for details on their education. Apprenticeships. References. How many training seminars have they attended recently? Whose? Never needed (and probably won't ever need) to hire a trainer for basic manners/behavior issues, but if I did, that's what I'd be asking.
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- You are absolutely right, anyone can just show up and train and anyone can take a 4 week (or however long it takes) course in petsmart and become a dog trainer. I therefore need to see proof, I don't want to/won't take the risk of a trainer ruining my dog. Titles and experience (including experience with my breed and specific area of training), good references and student success are what I look for. As well as a trainer who will look beyond their own views and opinions - and will use what ever works best for MY dog!!!
"Are they capable?" - The majority of self-proclaimed trainers cannot figure out how to potty train their own dogs, let alone train someone else's.
Great question!!!
Add: I think "Ginbail ©" bought up an excellent point in regards to communication.
- I know several people who have put obedience titles on their dogs, who I wouldn't mind training with, but I really don't think they'd make good teachers. It's not that they don't know what to do, but I don't believe they can communicate well with other people. The best teachers are the best communicators, and well experienced at training dogs. They aren't so stubborn about specific training methods, and they understand that different dog-handler teams need a tailored approach to training.
- In my opinion, it is all in the success of their trainees. They need to also have titled dogs in their expertise. Yes, in my opinion, that includes obedience titles. Herding, agility, field work, hunting, conformation, anything else, they *must* have titled dogs.
AND they must have students who have titled dogs as well. This proves to me that not only do they know their stuff, but that they can adequately pass on their knowledge in a way that beginner can grasp.
- I have always trained my own dogs. No one knows them like I do. They are bonded to me and I am qualified to train them. I have potty trained dogs and have dogs that come on command, I can take them out and have friends over.I used to show in AKC shows and know how to groom my breed and stack them for a judge.
However, for the owners that are clueless about all this, I think they need to go to classes to have someone show them how it is done.
- There is NO "certifying" body...organization...group.
The PROOF is in the dogs TITLED by the individual.
Know who"certifies" the "trainers"(gag) at Pet-NOT-Smart? I do;I asked. "The head office"...that means NOBODY! Any boob-off-the-street can declare themselves a "trainer"!!
- there is only one answer, REFFERENCES
- Yes breed makes a difference! Some breeds show the same traits and problems in training. I have a young border collie in agility that shows the same problems or learning styles as many other BC's.
I also believe you should find a person that has titled dogs which equals experience and with many dogs and breeds or at least the breed you trying to train. I needed evidence, I watched his classes and watched him compete to know if he was qualified.
This trainer has owned many border collies in his 77 years, and still competes! Many of his students also.
I was once told about training a Border Collie, "It's like doing a crossword puzzle in ink, you better make sure you get it right the first time."
- I was a dog trainer for Petco for about three months. During that time, I realized I had nowhere near the experience I needed to do the job I was doing, so I went back to being just a grooming assistant.
Right now, I help my mom's friend out with training her dog, but it is all basic positive reinforcement work- stuff I am familiar with. I won't help anyone else train their dogs because I don't know enough yet- and won't for awhile.
For me, I look at the title a trainer has on their dogs, combined with their interaction with my dogs and explanation to me about what it is that they do. My favorite trainer lives about an hour away from me, but has fantastic dogs and is worth the drive.
As for breed- I strongly prefer trainers with herding breeds, but as my trainer shows and breeds Vizslas, I guess sometimes you have to give a little.
- In my opinion, the trainer needs to have titles on his/her own dogs as well as having students who have had some success.
But more than that, I want a trainer whose methods I agree with. I just spent the past week checking out obedience classes and quite frankly, the class I ended up picking for my puppy, I knew within 2 minutes that this trainer was the one for me because of her positive, upbeat attitude with the puppies. I didn't even have to ask her if she'd ever heard of Patricia McConnell, Ian Dunbar or Jean Donaldson - you knew she did after watching her for 2 minutes.
To me, their breed doesn't make a difference, but I would like them to have experience with my group at least because herding dogs, for example, are very different from terriers or sporting dogs. And while I've been working with dogs for long enough to be able to train my own dog, no one can train their own dog if they're going on to competition obedience - the dog needs the experience working in a building with lots of distractions.
- As others have already stated, it depends on what you want the dog to do as to which trainer you go for.
If you want a dog to compete in a particular sport - go to somebody who has had success in that sport.
If you want a dog to do a particular job - go to somebody who has already trained dogs to do that job successfully.
If all you want is for your pet to be a pleasant companion though - how do you pick the right one? Personally, I'd go for one that's registered with APDT.
http://www.apdt.co.uk/
The Kennel Club also have a Canine Good Citizen Scheme:
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/dogtrain…
Many of the apdt trainers do KC Good Citizen - and I don't doubt that many non-apdt trainers do that too.
Also remember that training isn't something that's ever finished - it's something that's ongoing (although the form of training should change) throughout a dog's life.
- As an aspiring dog trainer, I'll tell you what I plan to do to make myself look more credible.
I'm currently getting a bachelor's degree in animal science (my mom's wish). I plan to attend a dog training academy in Texas to learn how to be train for certain types of training. I then plan to officially get certified, I believe through the Association of Pet Dog trainers. I currently have already been training puppies and dogs for a nearby GSD breeder that I know well. I train the puppies and prepare them to go home. I also train the breeding dogs, mostly basic obedience, but also stacking and gaiting.
I plan to own and operate my own dog training facility. I also plan to foster and train dogs for any and all local rescues/shelters (pro bono) so that they have a better chance of getting adopted.
Personally I have a knack for training, and have yet to meet an animal that doesn't listen to or respect me. It's something about me that I honestly can't explain. Anyone who has doubted me at first has reconsidered once they see my personal dog and how well trained and mannered he is (he is also CGC and TDI certified). I'm already active and experienced in conformation showing. I plan to get my dog into agility and obedience competitions. I'm very good at training (not trying to brag), and it shows in every dog that I've ever worked with. I've helped the breeder raise litters, and I can walk amongst the breeding dogs and the ones I raised instantly follow me and listen to me.
I'm going with a career that goes with my talents and true abilities. It'll take a little bit to prove it to people and get myself established, but I can and will make it with natural talent and training. The certifications, college degree, and training should help, and show that I'm proven.
In my mind I'm trying to do as much as I can to be a trainer that people will find qualified.
- I'd say that about (and I'm serious, not exaggerating) 90% of the dog trainers in the United States and the UK aren't competent trainers at all. They cause problems for real trainers because they've filled dog owner's heads with useless mumbo jumbo that makes sense if you squint really hard at it when it's upside down and backward. If you're looking for a trainer in a specific area (protection, schutzhund, agility, herding) then yes, that person should have titled dogs, or have owned and trained titled dogs at one time. How can I train a Schutzhund dog for you/help you train your own Schutzhund dog when I myself have no experience in the sport? If there was a greater understanding of common sense dog training among the common person there wouldn't be as many phonies capable of passing themselves off as dog trainers. Time outs don't work, Positive Reinforcement Only training (petsmart/victoria stillwell style training...but at least petsmart doesn't put dogs in time out), treats, smiles and hugs don't solve aggression (heavy corrections do), and Negative Reinforcement Only training doesn't work...well actually it does work, but your dog will hate you so don't do it. 80% of the trainers out there are petsmart yuppy treats will train a dog to do anything type trainers who advise you put a dog down when it barks at the neighbor, 10% are the Negative Reinforcement only trainers who get your dog out of your sight and do the old school William Koehler yank and crank style submission training, and the other 10% are trainers with common sense who understand training as a whole from obedience to correcting behavior problems (most of these people are or have been influenced by Ringsport/Schutzhund/Police Dog trainers...but even a great number of protection sport trainers aren't worth a red indian cent). Advice to the wise: Buyer Beware.
Edit: I'd also like to say that the reason protection sport trainers are so well rounded is because they've gotten their knowledge from some of the greatest European trainers ever. Also they have dogs that MUST perform...if your agility dog misses a tunnel, oh well, better luck next time...but, if your police dog doesn't bite a suspect, you could be dead...
- I would want a different trainer for different types of training.
I would like my next Dobermann b*tch to be trained in the sport of Schutzhund, so I would join a schutzhund club & work with someone who had years of relevant experience training dogs.
For training for open/championship shows, I would want a trainer who had experience of showing dog & had titled them.
If in competition obedience, an experience trainer/titled dogs in that field.
I would want a professional dog trainer, who had enough years of practical experience working with dogs to draw on, to be able to assess a dog. A trainer who understood the canine mind/importance of genetics & could offer plainly spoken constructive advice.
All too many dog trainers take a course, lack knowledge based on years of experience working with dogs & are of no real practical assistance.
Canine behaviourist? Well, if there are any good ones, like locating a decent professional dog trainer, it's a case of finding a needle in a haystack.
