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Review content:
Never trust any dog trainer that will not allow you to watch them do training sessions with your dog. If they have something to hide, be afraid, be very afraid.
Also, these trainers use methods that provide for quick fixes. They jerk, kick, yell,shake, roll to 'make' the dog perform the behavior that they want. It only makes the dog afraid to do anything 'but' do the behavior that is being asked for. There is no respect in fear. Think about it, did people really respect Hitler? .
True respect is built on trust and trust can only evolve by building a relationship.
Training in a more positive way,setting the dog up for success, may take a little longer, but, it will also have a much longer lasting effect
Dogs that are trained like this, with intimidation and fear based methods, more often than not, eventually have problems with aggression
Trainers such as this are so caught up in catching the dog doing something wrong so that they can punish it , that they forget all about even trying to notice what the dog is doing right, and then rewarding and praising them for it. Dogs do what we want to see all the time. But it goes unnoticed. Dog's don't come knowing what we want. It is just as much a trainer's job and the guardian's job to show the dog what we like as it is to show them what we do not like
If you like when your dog is lying down, being calm, and that is something you would like to see more often, you should praise and reward your dog for doing this.
A behavior that is rewarded during or immediately following when it occurs, likely to occur more often. This is not just my opinion, it is not an idea, or a feeling. This is science. It is proven to be fact. Just as methods such as those used by places such as MBF have been proven to cause behavioral problems.
You don't have to look very far to find these facts.
Research the dominance theory and the learning theory and you will see for yourself.
I would encourage anyone looking for a dog trainer to look for a person who belongs is a CPDT. (Certified Pet Dog Trainer) This association is a very large organization of dog trainers which only allows for non aversive training methods to be used by it's members.
A minimum of 300 hours of hands on, classroom dog training experience is required to be a member. Also, an exam, which trainers who use fear, intimidation or painful methods, would not even be able to pass, must be passed before membership is allowed. Full understanding of learning theory is a must. The exam must be taken every two years to make sure that trainers are staying up to date with training news and research, in order to remain a member. It costs $200.00 to take the exam.
Anyone who is reported and/or discovered to be using any form of aversive training methods is removed from the association without any chance for re-instatement.
So, most of the people who slap the tag "Dog Trainer" on themselves, and steal money from people while ruining and often times, doing damage to people's dogs, are not willing and even unable to do all it takes to become a member of this very prestigious group of outstanding group of people.
Unfortunately, it does not take a college degree, or any form of formal education for someone to claim to be a "dog trainer". If you wish to ask someone for their education background, look for a background in psychology and behavioral sciences, and ask for creditionals. Anyone can say they have a degree too.
There are quite a few credible dog training schools taught by well known, top trainers who have written award winning books and put out dvds, and given tours and seminars on certain dog training topics.
Research, Research, Research! Don't just assume that because a person calls themselves a dog trainer, uses the terminology and acts like they know what they are talking about, that they do. You are putting your dog in their hands. Take the time to make sure they are good ones.
Pros: no, they are not
Cons: they call themselves trainers
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