Dogs are such an important part of the family that finding the right dog trainer means everything. A dog trainer will not only train your dog, but they will teach pet parents the skills they need to maintain their dog’s new commands.
A top dog trainer must have communication skills with both the animal and pet parents.
With so many dog trainers to choose from, sometimes pet parents don’t know where to start.
Here’s what you need to know about how to spot the red flags in a dog trainer.
Do Your Research
It is very important to do your research when finding the right dog trainers because not all dog trainers are the same.
In addition to following your gut instinct, here are the three red flags to watch out for:
- Guaranteed Dog Training
- No References Provided
- Dog Accomplishments and Accolades
Beware of the Dog Training Guarantee
Tread carefully if a dog trainer guarantees their work. A guarantee of this kind is a “red flag” and many times a sales tactic. Dog training is only as good as the effort put into it by pet parents. If dog owners aren’t consistent in guiding their dog towards a wanted behavior, their pets may regress despite all the hours of previous training regardless of any stamp of guarantee.
Where Are The Accomplishments?
While dog trainers may have memberships to various organizations, for pet parents seeking a trainer of a higher caliber, it’s essential to check out their accomplishments or accolades in the dog world. For example, have they received any recognition in the dog world outside of pet dog training such as regional, national or world competitions where they are fine-tuning their skills?
Aside from pet dog training, what other areas of practice have they immersed themselves in (i.e., service dog training, search and rescue,). The better versed a dog trainer is, the more skilled they will be in dealing with behavioral issues.
Shying Away From References
One of the most important things a pet parent can do when hiring on a new trainer is to ask for references. If a trainer does not provide references, then consider this a red flag. That said, a trainer may first need to reach out to their former clients to see if they agree to connect with a potential client – this may take a day or so. But if nothing surfaces or a trainer refuses to hand over references, then continue the search.
Looking For A San Diego Dog Trainer?
Are you ready to build the perfect pet relationship? At Performance K9 Training, we understand that every dog has their own personality and learning curve, so we tailor the right “board and train” program. Contact us today to learn more!
