If you feel you’re wandering in the desert of dog behavior misinformation and misguidance, you most likely are. The dog training industry is not regulated. This means that anyone, (ANYONE!), can drive over to the printing shop today, buy some business cards, hang out a “doing business” shingle, and start “training” dogs without any formal education or practicum whatsoever. These self-proclaimed dog experts can take on complicated cases, do more harm than good, then walk away leaving you to deal with a broken dog who is worst than when you started.
Because there’s no regulation of this industry, consumers need to protect themselves and their precious dogs. How? When interviewing dog trainers, ask questions. Ask your prospective trainers about their background and education. Don’t take, “I”ve been training dogs for umpteen years,” as an answer. If I told you I’ve been cutting my own hair for umpteen years, would you let me give you a haircut?
Ask how long they’ve been formally studying behavioral science as it pertains to dog training. How do they keep abreast of recent studies that are pertinent to this field? Education is relevant in every field. Imagine yourself going to a doctor who graduated back in 1970 and had no continuing education since. Well, some dog trainers are still using techniques from that era when a much more humane and effective way to train is available.
Do they make guarantees about fixing your dog’s behavior? If so, ask them for supporting, scientific evidence about how anyone’s behavior, be it a dog’s or a human’s, can be guaranteed to change. This is why weigh loss centers, smoking cessation clinics, drug and alcohol programs and the likes cannot guarantee outcome. It’s impossible to do so! And the same goes when training dogs. You can make a behavior more likely to occur, but no behavior can ever be guaranteed.
Ask them how they will motivate your dog. Trainers should know and tell you why they are doing what they’re doing to your dogs and be able to explain it in detail to you. Do not accept something like “Because it stops them from doing that.” And especially if someone is trying to convince you that “This doesn’t hurt your dog.” If it’s any kind of prong, choke, or shock collar, run! Run for the hills and let your dog lead the way. Of course those collars hurt, and your dog may certainly have repercussions from the methods and pain from them, such as a new found fear, phobia, or distrust in human kind. That’s how aversive methods work! By pain and fear. Here’s a hint. If you EVER think what someone is doing to your dog is anything but humane, stop it immediately. Your dog is your family. If something doesn’t feel right, sound right, or look right to you, tell the trainer to stop. You have to protect your dog. You’re his advocate. You’re his voice.
Find out what will happen to your dog when he does a behavior correctly. And when he does a behavior incorrectly. What is the philosophy of your prospective trainer on treating your dog? If the trainer says, “I treat dogs like family,” then proceeds to suggest a shock, prong, or choke collar for your dog, disconnect the relationship immediately, if not faster. Is this the kind of person you want as a family member?
Remember, some people are out to market their goods and services and their bottom line is what is most important. Nothing else. Not you, not your dog, and not the relationship between you and your dog. And when consumers get desperate for help, they can be talked into options that may otherwise not be sensible to them. Don’t let yourself get into that vulnerable area. Don’t let your common sense get clouded by double talk. Protect yourself. Keep your critical thinking skills handy at all times when you’re shopping for a trainer, or any other pet care professional because your dog is counting on you.
As for me? One of the few guarantees I make is I won’t let you wander in the desert. I’ll invite you into the dog training Oasis where I’ll listen to your goals for your dog, tell you if they’re possible, and if so, from there, work on a training and/or management plan to get to the goal. I won’t leave a stone unturned for any of my cases. The Love Wags A Tail Oasis is lush with behavioral science resources and experience. Welcome.