How to choose the right dog professional for you and your dog
Whether you are a new puppy parent or the guardian of a dog who has some behavioural struggles - it is likely you will need to get some expert advice from a dog professional at some stage in your dog's life.
But how do you decide who to work with and who to avoid? Well, spoiler alert….it's NOT great to base your decision on the amount of social media followers they have!
So what should you be looking for when choosing a dog trainer?
Here are 3 questions you should ask (as well as some of my red flags and green flags when it comes to choosing a dog professional) which will help you to ensure you maintain the beautiful bond you have with your dog and save you a lot of money (in the long-term!)
Questions that you should you ask a dog professional when you are thinking of hiring them:
1. What qualifications do you hold?
This can help you assess whether they have a strong grasp of the science behind canine learning. It’s one thing for someone to know how to train a dog to do something but without understanding how and why their chosen methods work, their success will be limited (and/or risk some unwanted side-effects).
I have undertaken foundation and advanced dog training instructor courses with the APDT who are a practitioner organisation of the ABTC (such a lot of letters I know, but they do mean something…bear with….!) The Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) set and maintain the standards of knowledge and practical skills needed to be an animal training instructor. So you can be sure that my knowledge is of a very high standard. Want to know more? Click here to visit my ‘about’ page.
2. Are you a member of an ethical professional association?
Members of ethical associations such as the APDT and Yappily commit to never using punitive and/or non-scientifically backed and approved methods and techniques. Using intimidation, force or other equipment designed to suppress behaviours through the use of pain or discomfort (shock collars, choke chains, prong collars) and is neither kind nor effective when training dogs. By choosing someone who is a part of ethical organisations (like me!), you can be sure your dog's welfare will be maintained throughout your partnership with that trainer.
3. What will I get for my money?
Rather than just going with the cheapest trainer in the area - think about value for money. For example, you might want to ask questions such as:
Will I receive a written training plan after the session?
Are you available for email or phone support between sessions if I have questions or run into difficulties?
Will you follow up regularly to monitor my progress?
If you simply compare ‘hourly rates’ of trainers or behaviourists, you’re not looking at the full picture. It's not just the time that they’re spending with you that’s a factor. Higher education, the cost of books, practical and theoretical courses, certifications, time to write and amend training plans and business running costs all add up!
If in doubt…ask!
I encourage people to ask questions about my training methods and philosophy, and I believe every dog professional should be open to the same. To learn more about me, my experience, qualifications, and training approach, feel free to visit my About page or send me an email – I’d love to hear from you (psst: this is me and my fabulous dog, Rebel)!
So why is education and ethics so important in dog training?
The dog training and behaviour profession is unregulated, meaning anyone can label themselves as a trainer or behaviourist, even if they lack a proper understanding of dog behaviour!
I see many 'trainers' on social media telling their followers how to 'fix problems' with their dogs, and how to 'fix' the dogs 'bad’ behaviour.
I just want to highlight that there is no such thing as ‘bad’ behaviour - there is only dog behaviour! Dogs bark, they chew, they chase, they dig, they sniff (the list goes on!). It's up to us to give them suitable outlets for that behaviour whilst also teaching them what we want them to do and limit the things we don't want them to do (we are able to do this in a kind, ethical and effective way!)
If an owner is struggling with an aspect of life with their dog, the idea of ‘fixing’ that problem can, obviously, seem very tempting. However, when I look at what these ‘trainers’ are actually doing with the dogs I often see them using training ‘tools’ (think prong collars, e-collars, slip leads, choke chains…the list goes on) and using positive punishment (link to my how dogs learn blog which includes a section on punishment). It's highly unlikely that those who see struggles as needing to be ‘fixed’ understand the emotions that are driving that dog's behaviour.
In these training videos I see dogs showing signs of stress such as lip licking, head turning, yawning, the white of the eyes (what we commonly refer to as whale eye). The dogs are often leaning away from the trainer, trying to create some space. All of these signs tell those with an educated eye that the dog is stressed and uncomfortable and really wants to get away from this person for a reason.
All dogs are different but no dog, no situation and no scenario ever warrants the use of pain, intimidation or discomfort. Some ‘trainers’ will tell you otherwise but this is simply not true. Using tools and punishment might stop the dog from doing the unwanted behaviour (this is known as behaviour suppression), and although it may seem effective temporarily, it can lead to additional problems later on.
This is because the underlying cause of the behaviour remains unresolved, and any issues that were triggering the dog's behaviour will still be present. As a result, the behaviour is likely to resurface. In addition, the dog may experience an even more serious behavioural issue because they continue to struggle with unresolved issues meaning you need to see another trainer or behaviourist (hence my earlier comment re: saving you money in the long run).
Red and green flags
Red and green flags are metaphors used in many different situations but for the purposes of this blog they are used to alert you to qualities in dog professionals that you should be drawn to (green) and wanting to run a million miles from (red)!
Red flags are generally used as a warning or a cause for concern that there is a potential problem.
Green flags, on the other hand, are used to describe a positive characteristic or quality in someone.
Red flags (the below list is not exhaustive)
Lack of education (ideally look for a practitioner who has undertaken a course with an ABTC practitioner organisation). This also goes for those who say they are a professional trainer “because they have owned dogs all their lives “(I have driven a car for 20 years and know how to check an oil level but I am not a mechanic!!)
Reliance on aversive tools. Science doesn't support them and most people don’t want to hurt their beloved dog anyway.
Unable to provide rationale for why they are suggesting a particular strategy (Personally, I like getting a bit geeky and I love questions…probably my background as a nurse and a lecturer in Higher Education)
Outdated language (alpha, correction, dominance, command)
Lack of insurance
Success promises “I can fix your dog in x No of sessions” (spoiler alert but animal behaviour is complicated and affected by so many different variables so nothing can be guaranteed)
Lack of interest or knowledge about the dogs wellbeing and medical status
An ethical and skilled trainer or behaviourist will take the time to understand the root cause of the behaviour and determine the best course of action. Numerous options are available, all of which will be focused on supporting your dog without using discomfort, pain, or fear. No option is aimed at "fixing" the dog or “fixing” their behaviour. They would be looking at addressing the behaviour that's a concern but doing this from the point of view of working with and understanding the dog, not just using force, pain, intimidation or fear.
Such options may include:
Referring the dog to a veterinarian for a health check (You can put all the time in the world into a training plan, but if your dog has an undiagnosed medical condition, or dietary issue - that plan won't matter).
Teaching you (and your dog!) valuable skills (concepts) that are relevant to the issue you are having. These will include some practical skills and some strategies you can implement to help you and your dog right away (yipee!) Dog Training and Puppy Training in East Hampshire | Barker and Hound Dog Training
Green flags (the below list is not exhaustive)
A compassionate, empathetic, non-judgmental approach
I have been where you are and know how exhausting and frustrating behaviour struggles can be. I am dedicated to helping you move to where you want to be with your dog, not to judge you as an owner. I will work in partnership with you to relieve the emotional stress and frustration at both ends of the lead.
Skills, experience and knowledge
You’ve had enough of hearing all the conflicting advice - you want to work with a properly qualified and experienced professional, who you can trust. Delivering the best and most up-to-date information on dog training and behaviour is extremely important to me and I therefore regularly attend seminars, conferences and workshops led by respected industry professionals.
A desire to build a partnership between me, you and your dog
Seeing a relationship between dog and owner flourish is why I do what I do! All of my packages include ongoing support and feedback in order to help you both succeed.
I hope you have found this blog useful and that it’s helped empower you to choose the right dog professional for you and your dog.
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With love,
Sarah-Jane xx