HOW TO PICK A TRAINER

Whether you are having problems with your pooch or just need some advice, a good trainer can help. But finding the right trainer is just as important as finding the right family doctor. “One of the best ways to find a trainer is to get a recommendation, either from a vet or from a friend or neighbor who had a good experience,” advises NLOL founder Bobby Dorafshar. First, check out that person’s dog. “If their dog is well-behaved, the trainer did a good job.”

Meet with the trainer in person – and bring your dog so you can see how they react to each other. If the dog shows no interest in the trainer, or the trainer doesn’t get hands-on with the dog, find someone else who’s more passionate with the dog.
 

When talking to the trainer, ask lots of questions: Where did you learn to work with dogs? How long have you been doing this? Do you belong to any training clubs? What training methods do you use? If the dog does something bad, how does the trainer correct the problem? Also, find out if the trainer has a dog and if his or her dog is well behaved.

Get references from the trainer – and then follow up by asking these former customers about their experiences with the trainer, what problems were corrected and what methods were used. Is this person’s dog now well behaved?

If there are specific behavior problems, such as aggression towards children or animals, find someone who has worked on these particular problems and ask how the behavior was corrected. Also, ask how the training will affect your lifestyle. You have to make time to work with your canine companions.

The best time to start with a trainer is before you even get a dog. A good trainer will look at your lifestyle and help you pick a pooch. For instance, families with young children often want puppies, thinking it would be wonderful for dogs and kids to grow up together. But puppies require a lot of work and are often destructive, Dorafshar reminds them, suggesting an adult dog instead. Training costs can vary, depending on the type and length of the program.

• Group Classes - They usually run 8-10 weeks, are often offered through local parks and may cost $70-$250, depending on the size of the class.  Classes can be effective if the trainer is experienced. You will get up to 60% of what your dog can do.

• Private Training - If you have a specific issue or your free time is limited, you may want a private trainer, which could run $500-$1,000 for 6 to 7 weeks of training.  You will get up to 80% of what your dog can do.

• In-Kennel Training - You can leave your dog with the trainer for a boarding/training program, which gets 90-95% percent results.  The cost can run $1,200 - $3,000 and up.  Make sure you check out the trainer and the facility before leaving your dog.  It should be a home type environment rather than kennel. Dogs need to be socialized to live in a home. Make sure the trainer is experienced enough not to abuse your dog.

There are lots of different training methods, so pick a trainer whose method makes sense to you. If you feel uncomfortable with the trainer, chances are your dog will too. 

The method must also suit the dog. For example, a puppy needs positive reinforcement, which may include food, but food won’t work for an adult canine with a behavior issue. In that case, you need to educate the dog, praising him with words and touch for good behavior. We want to train the dog, not bribe it.
 

For instance, if your dog jumps on people, “first I educate him that that behavior is not acceptable. Maybe I take him to an open space and, with his leash on, pull him down or tell him to sit. When he sits, he gets lots of praise,” Dorafshar says.
 

There are three steps in training a dog, Dorafshar explains: educating dog and owner; reminding the dog what we expect; and establishing respect from dog to owner.
 

The worst thing about getting a bad trainer, he says, is that if the trainer fails to solve the behavior problems, “the owner feels he has done everything possible to solve the problem and it hasn’t worked, so he gets get rid of the dog."

“I have never met an untrainable dog,” Dorafshar asserts. “Sometimes, it’s just not the right fit of dog to owner. If your first trainer can’t solve the problem, get a second opinion. Training makes a huge difference in the life of a dog.”