Positive Dog Training Blog

Posts Tagged ‘positive reinformcent’

Its very important that you research any dog trainer before attending their classes or having them help you with your dog. The best thing to do is go and watch an appointment or class. If you are unable to do that here are some questions you can ask them.

1) What type of method do you use?

Many dog trainers will say they use motivation, that needs to be clarified.  I like to ask how do they teach heel.  If they are using food and rewards such as toys, then that is a good thing!  We all know that dogs learn well when they are motivated by something they like instead using fear or pain.

2) What do you charge?

When choosing a dog trainer, cost will certainly come into play.  Its OK to ask that and have that as part of your decision.  Some trainers will charge $195 for 6 week classes while others charge $50. Research the pricing in your area and see what works for you. Cheaper is not always better, and more expensive is not always better.

3) Do you offer a guarantee?

Choose a dog trainer who does not guarantee behavor! Most trainers will not offer a guarantee of behavior. If they do, find out what that guarantee means. Some places will offer free classes which is appropriate. It could be a gimick just to get you in the door.

4) What will happen if your dog barks in class?

This is a good way to find out about a dog trainer. A lot of dogs bark in classes for different reasons. Some are stressed and some are just excited. Dealing with this behavior should be either giving the dog more room, redirecting with food, or possibly switching to a less stressful environment such as private appointments.

5) What is your certification?

Often times dog trainers will say they have a certification and they may, but its from an unrecognized source. Here are some dog training certifications you can trust:  CPDT-KA;  ABC (this is typically for new dog trainers); KPACTP

I’m sure I’m missing a few but these are the big ones!

Good luck in trying to choose a dog trainer for your dog or puppy!

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Step 1- be in charge.

Step 2- stay consistent.

Step 3- meet their physical and emotional needs.

Sounds easy right? It is actually.  I spoke with a nice guy yesterday who had done his research and his reading.  He read books by Ian Dunbar, Patricia McConnell – great authors which you can purchase at www.DogWise.com.  What did he learn?  Force isn’t required with puppies.

To meet goal #1, be in charge, start by having your pup follow you around (not the other way) with a lead or some cheerio rewards. Ask for sits before petting, playing, going outside, coming out of hte crate, eating dinner – its the easy way to teach “please”.

Goal #2, consistency.  Make  up rules, whatever they are, and follow them 100% of the time.  If you give in 1 out of 10 times then the dog learns that there is a chance to get away with whatever it is.  Lets say its jumping. The dog jumps, you ignore the pup for 30 seconds.  Every time! that means if you are sitting on the floor, standing, outside, 100% consistency.

Goal #3,meeting their needs.  Often times people think this means exercise, exercise. It doesn’t! Puppies do not need to run that much, or walk that much.  10 minutes two times a day is typically adequate for a young puppy (under  14 weeks).  Meeting their needs means exposing them to new things daily, challenging their every sense and  giving them mental stimulation.  Make them use their brains – try buster cubes, kongs, hide and seek, find it, or learn a new trick. My favorite game is called 101 things to do with a box. More  about that one later!

Good luck and happy dog training.

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