Finding the Right One: How to Choose a Dog Trainer

Choosing a trainer is important for the health and well-being of you and your dog.

It’s hard to overstate the importance of finding the right trainer for your dog. Choosing the wrong trainer can cause more harm than good and may actually make behavior problems worse. 

At the San Francisco SPCA Behavior Specialty Clinic, we often treat dogs who had minor behavior problems that developed into serious problems as a result of overly harsh training techniques. Because the dog training industry is unregulated, finding the right trainer requires time, patience, and research, but the rewards will make the effort well worth it. Research has shown that dogs trained with positive methods have stronger relationships with their guardians and live happier lives.

 When looking for a trainer, start by asking the right questions and be aware of red flags. First, ask if the trainer recommends bringing treats to class. If the answer is no, you should be very concerned that this trainer does not believe in positive reinforcement as their main training technique - a clear red flag. 

Next, ask what happens if your dog does not respond as desired. If the trainer recommends addressing unwanted behaviors by trying to reduce those behaviors rather than focusing on the desired behaviors, you should be concerned that the main training technique is based in punishment, not reward. It is also a huge red flag if a trainer recommends aversive tools, such as shock and prong collars, which are not safe or humane. You want to ensure that the trainer uses reward-based training techniques and equipment on your dog and that you are allowed to be present for any and all parts of the training process. 

 A good trainer should not only use positive reinforcement, but be able to clearly explain the process. Positive reinforcement rewards dogs for desired behaviors while redirecting undesirable behaviors. Dogs, like people, respond best to positive techniques and tools. Any dog can be trained using positive reinforcement and any person can safely use the method. In fact, positive reinforcement is used to train many working dogs, including military and guide dogs, and has been shown to improve their performance. Be sure your prospective trainer can actually explain the process, not just use it as a buzzword. 

 Beware of trainers who use the authoritarian mentality to achieve goals that might include citing the need to be the “pack leader.” The misguided belief that dogs need to be dominated to be trained and that a person must assume the “alpha” position, pervades our society and is highlighted on some popular TV shows. The theory of dominance is that animals will behave if they receive force/aggression and thereby submit to their owner, but this theory has been thoroughly debunked. Fear should never be the reason for compliance. Being overly rough or even aggressive toward your dog will often result in your dog becoming fearful, anxious, and potentially aggressive.

 Because dog training is an unregulated industry, anyone can call themselves a trainer so it is crucial that you ask your trainer for some form of certification, experience, or educational background in dog training. Ask for a referral list of happy clients and ask when the trainer last attended a continuing education course. A good certification to look for is CCPDT (Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers) or the more recently developed Fear Free Animal Trainer Certification. It is also a good sign if your trainer is a member of The Association of Professional Dog Trainers or the Pet Professional Guild.

 Finally, remember that training should be an enjoyable experience for both you and your dog. Training any pet takes time and requires patience. When things don’t go as you hoped, review your training plan, the timing of your reinforcement, and the value of your rewards. Your trainer should work closely with you every step of the way, including on the training plan. If you are with the right trainer, you should be learning just as much as your dog. Neither of you should feel that you are failing.

 If your dog has a hard time learning and seems stressed out or if you are just not seeing the desired results from your current training program, consider seeking professional help at the SF SPCA Behavior Specialty Clinic. The SF SPCA team of highly credentialed behavior experts can help address any behavior question or problem. Visit sfspca.org/behavior or call 415-554-3074.

The right trainer can help you and your dog enjoy a close, rewarding bond as you learn together. Take the time to choose your trainer wisely and your dog will thank you.