What to Expect from a Dog Trainer

When I receive calls from prospective clients, it's often clear that many owners aren't really sure what to expect from training, or a trainer. Since every trainer will be different (just like each dog and owner), owners will need to do some research, talk with some candidates, and find a "good match" for their needs. Here are a few items that might be worth consideration...

First, training is work not magic. Real training requires putting some time and effort into your dog, and the relationship you have with your dog. Any good trainer understand this, and will be coaching owners on realistic ways to make training become part of daily life. Anyone telling you something else is trying to make a sale, not trying to help. Marketing is rampant in service industries, but true professionals will have the integrity needed to actually offer help.

Second, nothing will move forward unless a trainer and owner communicate well. I hear from owners weekly that are shocked I return their call promptly. I don't know what to say, other than it's just common courtesy and good business. So if you've called a trainer, left a message, and haven't heard back for several days - well, how do you think that bodes for future communications? Keeping appointments? Being available for future questions?

Finally, dogs have different personalities, drives, energies, strengths, and weaknesses. Likewise, owners will have different goals, abilities, time constraints, and family dynamics. I always say successful training is a "team effort", including an owner AND their dog. With so many variables in play, it should be clear that single method approaches are not likely to be broadly successful. Owners seeking help might be best served to inquire about a trainer's flexibility, vs seeking out a specific tool or method that might be entirely useless for their dog.

No trainer is the perfect match for everyone. But best trainers, IMO, will have common traits. Among those are integrity, good communications, and flexibility in approaches and tools. Have a great dog day!