If you own a dog, you’ve likely noticed that its behavior can be unpredictable at times. One moment, they’re lovingly cuddling with you on the couch, and the next they’re chewing up your favorite pair of shoes without any warning! If this sounds like your dog, there may be some simple things you can do to help turn their behavior around, and it doesn’t have to include taking them to an expensive pet trainer every week!
It can be difficult to find a good pet trainer and many pet owners mistakenly assume that all dog trainers are alike. But there are many levels of training expertise, including recognized credentials such as the certification offered by Fortress Learning. With some knowledge and guidance, it’s possible to find a top-notch trainer in your area.
Pet owners must consider the expertise and qualifications of potential trainers, as well as whether they’re comfortable with giving over control of their dog to a stranger. Whether you’re after competitive obedience training or simply looking for help learning how to live with your new family member, knowing what you want from your dog’s trainer will make your search much easier.
Find a trainer who understands your goals
A trainer should be comfortable with whatever type of animal you want to train. This is important because not all trainers are experienced with every species, which can complicate training and make it more difficult to teach specific behaviors.
A trainer should also have an understanding of what you hope to achieve from the process. Do you just want your pup to obey basic commands or do you want him or her to live as a service animal? If a trainer does not understand your goals, it is unlikely that they will help you achieve them.
Evaluate your options
There are many ways to find a pet trainer who will be a good fit for you and your furry friend. However, one of the best things you can do is ask friends and family members who they use and what they think of their pet trainer. Most people are happy to give feedback, but don’t always offer it up on their own!
If asking around isn’t an option, then a great place to start is an online search. Various websites offer reviews of trainers and testimonials from past clients with more information than could ever be provided by one individual. If you prefer being in person, consider stopping by your local animal shelter or veterinarian’s office to speak with employees that work with pets daily.
Training doesn’t happen overnight
Even if you are lucky enough to find a pet trainer who is skilled and knowledgeable, training doesn’t happen overnight. Though it can take weeks, months, or even years to fully train your furry friend, it is worth every minute spent with them. I believe that one of the most valuable lessons I learned was patience.
Whether you’re teaching your pet tricks or introducing new behaviors, it will be a process rather than an event. Let go of any expectations you have of learning and they’ll pick up on what you need much faster and easier than you might expect.
Be open-minded
Before you start interviewing, be open-minded and willing to see a few different trainers with different styles. The first thing you should do is get on their websites and look through the galleries of their work so that you can make an informed decision about which trainer will suit your furry friend best. If one trainer specializes in hunting, don’t assume that’s who is right for your dog when he has never really been taken out hunting.
Take note of what interests them and then show them to your animal before making a final decision. Also, pet owners have varying budgets so it would be beneficial to establish what kind of budget range you are working with and if there are any additional requirements such as cat-sitting services.
Understand that there are different styles of training
Training styles range from gentle to aggressive. If you’re looking for a trainer who will use methods that minimize distress and discomfort to your pet, this would be considered a gentle or positive reinforcement style of training. Likewise, if you are looking for a trainer who believes in the power of intimidation and domination over your pet this would be considered an aggressive style of training. Understanding these different approaches can help you make an informed decision about which type of training is best suited to meet your needs.
Before you start looking at reviews
Before you begin your search, take a few minutes to do some research and see what pet owners are saying about their experiences with pet trainers. You’ll find that many of them will have had strikingly similar experiences. If there’s anything at all that jumps out to you as a negative, be sure to look into it before making an appointment.
For example, one trainer may offer more competitive rates than another; or if one person says they were made to feel unimportant when they scheduled an appointment with a trainer but another reviewer stated they had an extremely positive experience in dealing with them, that may be something worth looking into before deciding who to contact first.
Find a well-certified trainer
It can be tough to find a good pet trainer these days. It is important to make sure you are finding someone who has experience and know-how that suits your needs. One way to do this is by searching through google or social media pages to find out who has worked with other people and animals in your area and see what they say about their experience, and what kind of experience they have had if they train other types of animals.
Someone certified in dog training like TAE50116 Certified Dog Trainer could also be a great way to find somebody to help train your new puppy or older dog. There are many different certifications out there but not all trainers will have all certifications which is why it’s important to do your research before choosing one.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many trainers out there to choose from. A good place to start is with a local veterinarian or animal hospital to get a referral. Additionally, you can contact your local humane society and do some research online on dog trainers in your area. You would probably find a Fortress Learning certified trainers that will provide excellent training for your pet.
