One of the big reasons for that conundrum is the fact that dog training is an unregulated profession. Anyone, and I mean ANYONE, can call themselves a pro dog trainer, have their set of old wives’ tales playing in their head, and go out to do more damage than good. Maybe even get a TV show to perpetuate the myths and inhumane treatment to dogs in the name of entertainment. And when the consumers’ dogs trained by local “pros” using these archaic methods are returned to their owners more damaged, fearful, hand shy, you name it, the recourse is hiring a lawyer, because no one else will make it right. Meanwhile, even if the consumer wins, that so-called dog trainer can keep on training and doing harm, which makes our dogs the big losers. They go through that training tunnel and come out the other end damaged and dented.
Thankfully, there are dog trainers who do indeed care enough about their reputation, the humane treatment of dogs, and the outcome of their training. They care that the methods they use on dogs during training are humane and effective, and their results will create a trained dog who trusts and enjoys training.
Those are the kinds of trainers who are creating change for the better. The ones that are setting the profession of dog training on the right track. They are the trainers who will dispel all those myths, one at a time, to each person they teach, in each home or class setting that they teach in. And consumers who need help training their best friends will see how a positive influence aids in training dogs as much as in teaching people. They’ll replace stale myths with fresh facts and new opinions will be created and exchanged. Because education, experience, and empathy are the forces that advance our world and there is no time that pain or brutality need be applied to our humble companions in the name of dog training.
By Helen Verte
Certified Pet Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed, Certified Trick Dog Instructor
Reward-Based Dog Trainer, South Florida
At Your Service
