Dogs, like humans, have personalities. Most of the time, training a dog is necessary to ensure that they become well-behaved and well-adjusted. Training your dog on your own is still possible, but it is not likey to give permanent results, especially if you are inexperienced. To be on the safe side, it is important to work with a professional trainer. The good news is that trainers are available in plenty, which gives you the opportunity to choose the right trainer for you and your pup. This article offers tips on how to find the right service provider.
Consider the type of training you need. Are you looking for private or group training for your animal? Group training is what you need if you prefer to work with your pup in settings with a myriad of distractions. This is important, especially if you would be going with your dog in public a lot. It pays to ensure that the provider offers such training in different locations. This helps proof the behavior of your dog. If you prefer private training, focus on providers that offer ‘Board and Train’ services. Such a service gives the trainer enough time to offer advanced training to your dog according to its character traits. If you prefer in-home training, make a decision with that in mind.
Take note of the topics the professional covers. Some of the common ones include sit, sit-stay, recall, off-leash heel, down-stay, confidence building, socialization, among others. Knowing what to expect helps avoid confrontations later. If you need advanced training for your animal, make certain that the expert delivers such services. You stand a better chance of success if your dog gets its training from one trainer. In case you would need help regarding nutrition, choose a service provider that offers canine nutritional consulting services.
Ask about their training and experience. It could be that a trainer can offer all the services you need. If they lack proper training and expertise, however, working with them would be a bad move. While some trainers are naturally gifted, a provider that is simply ‘good with dogs’ would be a bad choice for you, especially if your animal needs advanced training. Such a provider might also not offer you any support you might need to keep improving the behavior of your animal. Consider how long a potential expert has been in the industry. You should also consider their experience with the breed of dog you have.
What approaches will the expert employ to train your dog? A trainer being able to cover a myriad of topics would not mean much if they would employ a methodology that would harm your animal. It pays to focus on providers that use positive reinforcers such as toys and treats. Ensure that they use non-aversive methods for behavior correction. It is important to choose among experts that allow clients to observe classes. This gives you a feel of the provider’s training style. Consider choosing a provider that offers a free trial. This ensures that you can switch trainers if your first one does not work for you.
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