So you've decided to get a trainer to help with your dog, but where do you even start looking for one? Well a quick online search for dog trainers in your area will certainly give you some options to choose from, but that's when things really start to get confusing. Their websites boast claims like "certified professional trainer", "R+", "science based", and more. They have pictures and video of dogs behaving perfectly in all sorts of environments. But what does any of that really mean? How does that help the average person find the best trainer for their dog? Here's the secret, it doesn't. Trainers set up websites, perhaps inadvertently, with language most accessible to other dog professionals. It is very common for casual pet owners to struggle to understand their abbreviations, their titles, their certifications. So if you've gone down a Google rabbit hole looking for someone to help you with your dog, and ended up more confused than when you started, you are not alone. In fact, you're likely part of the majority. In reality, there's only one thing that matters when it comes to finding a trainer: if the way they train make sense to you.
You may be thinking, "What if they're methods are poor?" or "What if they're inexperienced?" "What if they're not certified?" "What if they use corrections?" Ultimately, though, none of those questions matter. If a certified trainer, who's been in the game for decades, trains in a way that you don't understand, or don't like, do not go to that trainer. It is a waste of your money, and everyone's time. Here's the thing, training is a team effort; the team is you, your dog, with your trainer as the coach. For training to be effective, there needs to be consistency and clarity in your training. That means you and your trainer need to be on the same page, so you can communicate to your dog the same way, and have the same expectations. So if you pick a trainer who's methods don't mesh with you, the training will not stick. You could go to the best trainer in the world, but if you can't work as a part of the team, then the training is going to break down. So if you don't want to use corrections in your training, go to someone who doesn't use them. If you consider using treats to be bribing the dog, and don't want to rely on them, go to a trainer who trains that way. At the end of the day, the only thing training needs to be successful is clarity and consistency. If you can be consistent in your training, and the dog is clear on what you're working toward, then it is only a matter of time until you've got the dog you've always wanted.
So finding a dog trainer ultimately boils down to finding someone who you can work with in harmony. Forget about the certifications, the buzzwords, and the flashy videos of finished dogs. Reach out to people and ask about how they train. Ask to watch them conduct lessons, and if they have any clients who would be willing to talk to you about their experience. Don't be afraid to take your time, to shop around, and only make a decision when you're sure. You lose nothing by waiting until you're sure you've found the right trainer for you and your dog, but you can waste time and money by rushing into training with someone you and your dog won't work well with.
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