 We often get asked for recommendations for dog trainers and while we have contacts with lots of great trainers in this area, we don't want to overlook anyone in the process. So here are some suggestions for selecting a good dog trainer. These have been adapted from the guidelines published by the American Humane Association.
- Look for trainers who rely on teaching methods that use positive reinforcement for good behaviour rather than punishment for unacceptable behaviour.
- Observe an obedience class without your dog. Are the dogs and people having a good time? Talk with a few participants and see if they are comfortable with the trainer's methods. If someone won't let you sit in, don't enroll.
- Don't allow trainers to work your dog unless they tell you first exactly what they plan to do.
- Don't be afraid to tell a trainer to stop if he or she is doing something to your dog that you don't like.
- If a trainer tells you do something that you don't feel good about, don't do it! Do not be intimidated, bullied or shamed into doing something that you believe is not in your dog's best interest.
- Avoid trainers who offer guarantees about results. These trainers are either ignoring or don't understand the complexity of animal behaviour.
- Avoid trainers who object to using food as a training reward. Food is a beneficial and acceptable positive reinforcement training tool.
- Avoid trainers who won't let you use any training collar other than a choke chain or pinch collar. Head collars are humane alternatives to choke and pinch collars.
- Look for trainers who treat both people and dogs with respect, rather than an "I'm the boss" attitude.
- And last, but certainly not least, have fun while training your dog!
Although we don't make recommendations, we would like to thank the following instructors who regularly donate their time in support of Citizen Canine's CGN Fun Tests by sharing their expert insights on training and dog behaviour as volunteer evaluators.
- Sherry Antonishen CPDT, Smart Dog Training and Consulting: www.smartdogtraining.ca, 893-2275, smartdogtraining@shaw.ca
- Michele Jarvis-Wonnacott, Connective Training: www.connectivetraining.com, 388-9179, michele@connectivetraining.com
- Darcie Jennings, CommuniCanine Training & Behavioural Counselling: www.communicanine.ca, 216-2416, darcie@communicanine.ca
- Monique Anstee, Naughty Dogge Behaviour Modification: www.naughtydogge.com, 250 590-2664, info@naughtydogge.com
- Janet Parker CPDT, Clever Canine Pet Training: www.clevercanine.ca, 382-4408, janetparker@clevercanine.ca
- Suzanne Webb CPDT, Canine Chaos: www.canine-chaos.com, 896-7297, info@canine-chaos.com
- Jane Beauchamp CPDT, The Noble Hound, www.www.thenoblehound.ca, 727-2565, thenoblehound@shaw.ca
Interested in becoming a trainer, or to learn more about their credentials?
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