As a someone who loves rescuing dogs, finding the right dog trainer was a must. I love having a professional I can turn to when I get stuck or my dogs are struggling. It is absolutely our key to our success.
What Are Your Goals?
Before you begin your search for a dog trainer, it’s a good idea to get some clarity on what you want to accomplish. A few things to consider:
- Do you have issues at home you need corrected?
- Would you like help with multi-dog handling?
- Do you have plans to compete with your dog?
- Would your dog make a great therapy dog?
- Do you want to learn more about being a better dog handler?
As you’re considering your own goals, think about what your dog (or dogs) need. Is your dog a more active breed? A lazier breed? You want to make sure you find a trainer who has worked with your breed and understand your dog’s needs
Finding the Right Dog Trainer
The first thing I did when I moved to a new city was ask people for referrals. Overwhelmingly people in my area recommended ThunderHawk Canine. Most people had great testimonials about how ThunderHawk trainers had helped them and their dogs.
Take the time to check out the trainers’ websites. Look at their credentials and their accomplishments. See if they talk about their training philosophies on their websites.
Most reputable trainers would prefer to have a phone consultation with you before recommending a training plan, so call or email to request one. If the trainer won’t take the time to discuss your training needs, walk away!
Dog training works best when the trainer, owner, and dog(s) have a relationship. If a trainer isn’t willing to spend 30 minutes on the phone with you when she’s trying to sell you services, she isn’t going to spend the time once you’ve paid her.
You’ll know when you’ve found the right trainer. She will be someone you trust with proven results doing what you want to accomplish.
Have questions? Drop me a comment, and I’ll get you an answer!
