Choices in Training Programs

When it comes to training dogs I am a proponent of positive methods that exclude fear, force, intimidation and pain.  How your dog gets that dog-friendly, effective training is up to you!  Not everyone has a schedule that allows them to attend a weekly class and do their homework.  Lots of people can’t afford private training and need to do all the work themselves.  Regardless of your situation, there is a way to get the quality dog training that your dog requires.

Do It Yourself:  If you are willing to put in the time and effort, you can train your dog completely on your own with fantastic results.  This is the most time-consuming way to go, but it can be done with very little to no financial investment. 

The first step in doing it yourself is to read, read and read some more of the highest quality, most up to date information on dog training.  Skip the celebrity trainers and snake oil salesman!  I would suggest you go to the true experts like Ian Dunbar, Patricia McConnell and Jean Donaldson…to name a few.  You can find a great suggested reading list at Dog Wise.  You can read blogs, watch videos and use the Digital Training Textbook at Dog Star Daily for even more great training advice.

You will need to work with your dog every day and be ready to search for answers when things aren’t going the way you’d planned.  If you’re the type of person who loves to solve problems, learn, research and experiment, this is the way for you to train your dog!

Group Classes:  Attending a group class with a Certified Pet Dog Trainer still requires that you do all the dog training yourself, but you won’t have to do all the research.  Instead, you will be guided and given the answers to your questions.  A good trainer will provide the information in a fun, positive manner and keep you motivated from week to week.

It is important to note that group classes are generally for dog-friendly, people-dogs.  If your dog is not comfortable in a group setting, then group classes could make the situation even worse.

Don’t confuse class attendance with training your dog!  You go to class to learn how to train your dog at home.  Your dog won’t learn everything it needs to know in one hour per week.  You will have to work on what you learn in class at home, every day.

Private Training:  When you hire a Certified Pet Dog Trainer to work with you on an individual basis, you are basically hiring a personal training coach.  The trainer will come up with a plan for you and your dog, show you exactly what to do, coach you, motivate you and follow-up with you on a regular basis. 

While the trainer will surely do some of the training during your sessions, it will be up to you to follow through between sessions.  No matter how good the trainer, a client who refuses to do their part of the work will always impede success.

Private training can seem expensive, but remember that you are getting one-on-one coaching from someone who has already done a huge amount of research and real-world training.  This means that you will get the information you need quickly and easily so you can apply it immediately.  That will save you tons of time and energy, which makes it well worth the investment in a qualified dog trainer.

Board & Train:  While many trainers scoff at board & train programs, they happen to be one of my favorite options if they’re done well.  Your dog will live with the trainer and receive direct, daily training from the professional.  In other words, the trainer will do the work for you.

I love this option because instead of teaching the client to teach the dog, I simply teach the dog.  Results are much quicker with a greatly reduced margin of error.  Any experienced Certified Pet Dog Trainer can teach a dog more in a day than a novice dog owner could teach a dog in a week!

Why do some trainers not like the idea?  The theory is that without the daily training the dog and owner will miss out on relationship building experiences.  It is true that training creates a bond.  It is true that owners gain a certain appreciation for their dogs through training.

However, it is also true that many owners get very frustrated with training their dog and that frustration can ruin the dog and owner relationship.  This is especially true for those dog owners with very busy schedules or who have difficulty learning how to train.

In my experience, having a dog who is well-behaved allows the owner to spend quality time with their dog which builds a better relationship than they would have had otherwise.  Being relieved from the pressure of the daily training and only being responsible for maintaining already taught behaviors can save an otherwise doomed relationship!

Board & train is the most expensive option, but also the easiest for the owner.  A good program will include several follow-up sessions to help the owner maintain trained behaviors. 

All Options:  Regardless of the option you choose, it is absolutely necessary for you to choose the very best trainer in your area.  How do you know who is the best?  Well, you shop around!  Visit a class before you register, ask for references, ask LOTS of questions and make sure that the trainer you hire is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer. 

The more you know about your goals and how you would like your dog trained, the easier it will be to choose the trainer that fits.  If you don’t want anyone reprimanding your dog with a choke chain, don’t be afraid to ask a trainer if they use them.  If you are concerned about your dog being dependent on treats in order to behave, ask the trainer how they will transition the dog away from food treats and how soon that will happen. 

Remember, you are paying for a service and you have every right to know what is going to happen to your dog.  If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.

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