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Is your young puppy ready to learn the basics of dog behaviour from the start? Does your five-year-old Terrier growl when you try to move it off the sofa? Then it’s time for a dog trainer! For many dog lovers, it’s the dream job. We’ll explain what the training might involve and share tips on finding a good dog trainer!
A dog trainer’s primary role is to improve human-animal communication. For example, in a puppy playgroup, a good trainer won’t let all the puppies roughhouse heedlessly but will guide both owners and puppies carefully. Meetings are always controlled. In an adolescent dog course, they keep a trained eye on the dog-owner teams and are open to questions about dog training. Intensive courses on recall, lead walking or stop commands are also helpful.
Besides group sessions, dog trainers also offer one-on-one sessions, which are particularly useful for addressing issues in adult dogs. Some trainers offer social walks, outings with other dog-owner pairs that include minor training exercises as needed. Demand determines the range of services. Additionally, dog trainers can teach dog sports like mantrailing, trick courses, obedience and agility.
Both private owners and animal shelters use their expertise. Independent trainers must manage administrative tasks: maintaining websites, interacting with authorities, and scheduling can be time-consuming. Continuous education is vital for dog trainers.
A dog trainer ensures that the bond between humans and dogs becomes stronger
Six Signs: How to Recognise a Good Dog Trainer
Especially for new dog owners, finding a trainer where both they and their dog feel comfortable is crucial. Here are tips to identify a good trainer.
Background: Proper Training
It’s positive if a dog trainer holds a certificate of expertise from the regional veterinary board and is an active member of a dog trainer association.
Stay Up-to-date: Continuing Education
Trainers should regularly attend further training. They stay updated on dog training, benefiting from new findings in behavioural research. This broadens their skills, which benefits their clients. Topics such as “undesired hunting behaviour”, “focus on family dogs”, “aggressive behaviour”, “rescue dogs”, “cognitive ethology”, and “scent work” are just a few subjects trainers might explore.
Getting to Know: Try Before You Commit
If a puppy is coming home soon, find a suitable dog school. A good trainer will have an informal chat with you or let you observe a puppy group for free – without your puppy. This gives you a sense of whether their training style suits you and your dog.
Positive Reinforcement
Good trainers use positive reinforcement – this keeps dogs motivated! Shouting, pinning dogs down or other “dominance” gestures are off-limits. Many trainers use treats because they are quick and effective rewards. With positive reinforcement, your dog learns to trust you and has fun during training. Poor training methods involve harsh techniques and theories about “submitting” dogs and phrases like “the dogs will sort it out themselves!”.
Recognising Boundaries and Being Observant
A trainer might not have an immediate solution for every problem. Sometimes, it’s necessary to ask many questions and take time. There’s no guarantee for an instantly well-behaved dog. A good trainer doesn’t use one-size-fits-all solutions.
If a dog barks frequently, they’ll ask: how often is the dog alone, how do you react when it barks? Addressing an issue at its root is often more time-consuming than immediate fixes, but it’s the only sustainable way. They guide you in restoring your human-animal relationship to balance. However, sometimes it’s best to consider whether finding a new home for the dog is more feasible, especially if you lack the time for its training.
Recommendations?
Feedback from other dog owners is invaluable when searching for a trainer. But ensure your expectations align with those of others. Check online reviews, like Google reviews, for your trainer. Consider negative reviews critically: pointing out issues in how dogs are kept, which may manifest in behavioural problems, can understandably upset some owners.
Love dogs and want to turn your passion into a career? That’s a crucial, but not solely defining, requirement to become a trainer. You must also get along well with the pet owners. Those who dictate with a heavy hand harm their business and do not help the owners. They’ll quickly find another trainer or lose motivation. Aspiring trainers need good people skills. Handling dogs effectively and lovingly is essential for success as a dog trainer.
Solid expertise is vital! Having well-trained dogs or dealing with your in-law’s Dachshund chewing slippers isn’t enough. Gain substantial knowledge. Understanding dog behaviour theoretically aids in addressing individual problems. Seek quality training and reputable certification. Trainers can be self-employed or work with dog schools or animal shelters.
zooplus Editorial Team
The zooplus editorial team consists of a dedicated team of experts with many years of experience in the field of animal husbandry: Luisa with her White Swiss Shepherd Elyos, Laura, Julio, and Florian. Together with a large network of animal experts, we work to make the zooplus magazine a trusted source of information for all animal owners and lovers. Our goal is to provide exciting animal knowledge and relevant information on the proper care of pets.
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