Steps to Finding the Right Dog Trainer For You and Your Dog

You just got a new puppy and now comes the fun part - the training. Don't get nervous. It isn't all that bad. As a matter of fact training your new puppy can be quite fun. You can either do it yourself or find a professional dog trainer to help you with the process. Just be sure they use humane training methods that are not harmful to the dog. With so many people claiming to be experts in the field of professional dog training, however, trying to find one who's qualified can be a tricky task.

Dog training class is supposed to be fun. Think of it as a social activity helping to shape your dog into a well-behaved, safe, and valued member of the family. It's also another reasons why it is so important to find a dog trainer and training class environment which fits your budget and needs. For more information on choosing this subject, follow some of these steps to finding a one that works for you as well as your dog:

* Look online for training methods and trainers and familiarize yourself with all the different kinds. What types of training are there and what will work best for you and your dog? Be sure you are comfortable with the methods you plan on going with. Outside of class, you'll be required to practice the training methods with your dog and if you're not comfortable with them, you won't do it. So needless to say, research is important.

* It's ok to ask your dog trainer where they learned how to train dogs and how long. Did they go to school for it or is it something they learned on their own? There is nothing wrong with hiring trainer new to the field provided they have the right certification for it. Sometimes hiring an experienced trainer isn't an automatic good decision. Most of these dog trainers have never updated their training methods and these poor techniques become ingrained as they are repeated over many years.

* The trainer you decide to work with should have one or more certifications or at least a few different professional affiliations. It doesn't mean that you can't hire someone if they don't but it is recommended as a sign of their professionalism. You want a trainer that has spent the time and put forth the hard work to thought enough of his reputation to get their credentials. It shows that they have a set of standards they live by. Some of the more common affiliations you should keep an eye out for are a membership in the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, Certified Pet Dog Trainer from CCPDT, National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors, or International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.

* If you know anyone who uses a one now, ask them who they would recommend or see if their trainer could. There is nothing that says trust more than an endorsement from clients or others in the same field. It shows that someone is established, and is a known quantity in his profession.

* If you know of a trainer who teaches group classes, see about stopping by without your dog to observe a class or two. You may get a good feel for how that trainer uses their methods.

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Posted by manung36, Friday, December 28, 2007 7:15 AM

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