Trying to Find a Dog Trainer is Serious Business.
Consider for a moment the significance of the event. You are choosing someone to be your guide with regards to “raising” your dog. Their methods are going to help shape your dog’s life from that point on. You want to find someone who uses an approach that facilitates not just acceptable behavior, but also nurtures your canine companion’s emotional health. Science-based dog training does just that.
Science-based dog training leverages canine learning theory to facilitate a dog’s development. It uses tools (store link to gear) and methods (link to behavior issues page) that target the specific needs of the dog being worked with. I would presume that most dog trainers are in this day and age at least partially informed by the recent research done with dogs. Just because they are influenced somewhat by science doesn’t make a trainer a “science-based” dog trainer. A good, science-based dog trainer will also consider the wider consequences of those tools and methods before using them, as revealed by research. While working with one issue, you don’t want to be developing others.
Before you hire anyone to work with your dog, make sure to ask questions. Here are some that you might find helpful. After you have your answers, you will have to determine whether the trainer meets your standards.
What Methods Does the Trainer Use?
It’s easy to answer “are you a science-based trainer?” Most dog trainers would probably answer “yes”. It is possible that they may not understand the significance of what you are asking, or may not know what that means. It is also possible that they may simply say what you want to hear to get your business (welcome to the wonderful world of marketing). So, if you want to ask that question, go ahead. But I recommend that you use it primarily as an icebreaker. If they say they are not, follow up and find out what they do. It never hurts to ask.
If they say “yes”, then you will probably want to double check that answer by asking about methods. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter how people identify; what matters is how they are going to work with your dog.
Generally speaking, a science-based trainer will focus on reinforcing (they may say “rewarding”) good behavior. Of course, other trainers may say the same things. So, while discussing the methods the trainer uses, you will probably want to drill down a little more until you get to the question: “what do you do if a dog does something wrong?”
What you’re listening for here is whether the trainer uses methods that leverage intimidation, fear, pain, or violence. You might get vague answers, such as “It’s important to let a dog know when it does something right, but it’s also important to let them know when they do something wrong.” I have actually heard this. It’s an attempt to avoid the question. If you hear that, ask for an example. If they start using language about “correcting” a dog, ask for a specific example of what that would look like. Of course, any dodging of the original question should be a red flag, but it’s not a bad idea to find out the specifics of the trainer’s methods. At least, then you know why you would want to avoid using that person’s services.
What Tools Does the Trainer Use?
When I train, I primarily use two tools: a clicker and food. The clicker serves as a “marker” to say “zomg, that thing you did right there, I love it so much I’m going to give you a treat!” If I don’t have a clicker, I use the word “yes” (clicker trainers don’t actually need to use clickers). Then, I use the food as a reinforcer for the behavior that I liked. These are staple tools for the science-based dog trainer. The purpose they serve is to identify and reinforce desired behaviors.
Other kinds of trainers use tools that are meant to physically punish “wrong” behavior. These tools include such things as choke chains, prong collars, and shock collars. It is possible to use these tools effectively. However, that requires an incredible amount of precision that even most highly-skilled trainers don’t have, let alone pet owners. Furthermore, while being used to suppress unwanted behavior, their use can lead to undesirable issues in other areas. Indeed, we are now seeing that use of aggressive methods in training can lead to aggressive behavior in the dogs.
And, even if punitive training tools and methods did cause problems beyond the current behavior, do you really want a trainer working with your dog who considers the use intimidation, fear, pain or violence more appropriate or loving than giving treats or affection for good behavior. The latter has proven to be more effective anyway. Using pain to motivate a dog during training isn’t a necessity. It’s an active choice.
It’s important to note that many dog trainers are shifting to force-free methods because of science. An example of a cross-over trainer is John McGuigan (Aka, “Glasgow Dog Trainer”), who used to be a traditional trainer. In this video, he explains how prong collars work, then he goes on to explain why using them is a bad idea.
What About Credentials?
If you are looking for a dog trainer who has taken a test and proven their skills to an evaluative committee, then there are a couple of certifications that you will want to watch for. The first is CPDT-KA, which stands for “Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed”. The designation is the result of passing an internationally-approved exam. If a CPDT-KA has also passed a skills test, then the designation changes to CPDT-KSA, which finishes with “Knowledge and Skills Assessed”.
Some well-known trainers have their own academies to train dog trainers according to their philosophies. Pat Miller’s academy tops my list, mainly because I took a course with her. She is with Peaceable Paws and a Pat Miller Certified Trainers get to use PMCT after their names. Karen Pryor has her Karen Pryor Academy. And Jean Donaldson has her Academy for Dog Trainers.
There are also professional guilds that allow like-minded trainers to gather and learn. My top pick would be the Pet Professional Guild, because they strongly advocate for force-free training.
For what it’s worth, I don’t place a lot of stock in credentials. Just because a trainer has passed a test or joined an organization doesn’t guarantee that the trainer will not use intimidation, fear, pain, or violence. Therefore, I’m more concerned with uncovering the specific methods used. Of course, I may be biased since I (like many other trainers) have not sought out any credentials. But if certification and other credentials are important to you, I would look for the ones I’ve listed. They will give you the best chance of finding a force-free, modern dog trainer.
You Can Learn How to Do It Yourself
If you don’t want to go through the effort to find a science-based dog trainer who can help you train your dog, you always have the option to learn how to do it yourself.
My Canine Coaching Course teaches you the basic concepts, principles, and techniques of modern, science-based dog training so that you can think and perform like a mini force-free dog trainer.
As one client described her experience with the course…
There aren’t enough stars to leave to express how wonderful we think Bo is, and his training methods. We were ready to give up our 14 month Flatcoated Retriever. Through his kind training methods we now have a another family member. Thanks Bo A BILLION stars!
So why keep paying for a trainer to help you train your dog when you can learn how to do it yourself in JUST 7 weeks?
The Canine Coaching Course is for people who have canine companions of any age.
Follow Puppy Tutor Dog Training on Facebook for daily posts related to dog training.
Sign Up for Free Dog-Training Information
Sign up for the upcoming newsletter and receive free dog-training and other dog-related information right in your inbox!
Hi! I’m Bo McGuffee, owner of Puppy Tutor Dog Training. My mission is to make human dog training accessible and affordable. If you are looking for an alternative to the more aggressive training styles out there, then you’ve found the perfect dog trainer for you and your dog.