Before You Hire Another Dog Trainer, Read This

Joey du Aso Paraiso (2010-2015)

I just realized how hard it is for new pet owners to find the right dog trainer. Oftentimes, I work with clients who have already gone through one or two trainers and are on the verge of giving up their dog—until they find me. By that point, I’m usually doing more damage control than actual training. Hopefully, this guide will help steer you toward the right trainer in your area.

Here are three things to look for in a trainer:

1. Proof of work – These days, there are a lot of so-called “certified trainers and behaviorsits” giving advice online. But when you try to look up their social media, you can’t find a single video of them convincingly fixing a behavior problem. I would go further and say they should also be able to show the owner handling their dog's problem behavior. All too often, the trainer is the one holding the leash—not the owner.

2. In-home or board and train? – This depends on the dog. If you have a puppy that just needs basic obedience or housebreaking, go with in-home private sessions. It’s easier to transfer the obedience from the trainer to the owner this way.

If you're a new pet owner dealing with aggression, board and train might be ideal so the trainer can first focus on the dog, and then later work with the owners. Just a warning: most abuse cases reported against trainers have happened in board and train facilities, so make sure to do a background check before sending your pup.

3. Do certifications matter? – No. The majority of the best trainers around the world aren’t certified. What you do want to look for is whether they’re involved in some form of service dog training or dog sport. Most of these trainers are perfectionists and bring the same level of precision to training your pup.

At the end of the day, you want a trainer that makes sure you know exactly what to do when they're not around.