As trainers Jason and I have spent much time honing and enhancing our training knowledge and skills, we want to be our best and are passionate about providing current, kind and relevant training for owners and their dogs. We lost count long ago of how much money and how many hours we have put into attending practical and theoretical courses, seminars, conferences, charity events and volunteering at all manner of dog related events all with the sole goal of providing the best possible service to our clients. We are not trying to suggest we are doing anything different to all the other countless trainers who we meet again and again at various educational opportunities, however, as dog training is currently an unregulated industry there are sadly a minority of ‘trainers’ offering services they are unqualified or ill prepared for.
Why is it so important?
It sounds dramatic but the right training advice could potentially mean life or death for your dog! Handling nervous, anxious or aggressive dog behaviour cases inappropriately could result in behaviours spiralling. Behaviour problems are one of the main reasons aside from old age and illness for death via euthanasia in the uk.
For puppies, getting the right class is key, a good puppy class sets the puppy off on the right road, it gives them essential life skills and helps shape the sort of dog they will become.
So what do you look for?
Proper peer reviewed science has advanced our knowledge and understanding of dogs and their behaviour over recent years, a good trainer will keep their knowledge base and skillset inline with modern dog training techniques and practices. There are a number of qualifications and memberships that they can work towards which can give potential clients reassurances that the trainers competency has been assessed and that they adhere to a modern welfare friendly approach to training.
If the trainer is IMDT, APBC, APDT, PPG, ISCP, ABTC, PACT registered, these are a good indication that the training should fit the above criteria.
What to do once you have found a potential trainer?
Speak to them to get a feel of what is included in the class content and whether it fits with your goals and what you want from the class. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Ask to visit a class in progress to get a feel for the class structure.
Ask what the maximum number of dogs per class is and how many trainers /assistants are in attendance.
Speak to other local dog owners, personal recommendations and experiences can be very helpful.
Most importantly remember that dog training should be fun for you and your dog!