When choosing the best trainer for your dog you must be very thorough, since this is not a triviality. Keep in mind that the education that your furry friend receives will be essential for him to be a happy animal. A good training implies that your dog will be docile, obedient and educated, so that you can go with him wherever you want.
What does dog training involve?
Teaching and / or modifying the behaviors of dogs has its roots in psychology, more specifically in a method called: operant conditioning. This is one of the first knowledge that a good dog trainer usually acquires.
The idea of this type of teaching is based on trying to get positive reinforcement for each attitude, that is, the trainer will try to do what is necessary to increase the chances that a certain and chosen behavior of the dog will be repeated.
This must be done in such a way that, the learning path that both the dog and the handler must travel, has to be pleasant and satisfactory for both. In addition, it is essential that you trust that what the trainer tells you and advises you, has to become part of the rest of your relationship with your dog.
Tips for choosing the best trainer
Like human beings, each dog has its own personality and even the odd quirk and that is normal. But as the owner of a dog, you must try to find a balance between its individuality and respect for others, so that, in order for it to be an animal with a more harmonious personality and less unpredictable behavior, you will need the help of a good trainer. .
Although it is much easier to train a dog when it is still a puppy, in reality age is not an obstacle to educating or re-educating a dog. It all depends on how skilled and experienced the trainer you choose for your dog is. That is why it is essential to take certain measures and take into account some factors, which can make the difference between a success or a failure, when choosing.
Health first, then the trainer
Before considering the type of trainer you want, you have to make sure that your dog’s health is optimal. This is important both for the safety of your furry and for those who may interact with it. Vaccines and deworming, both internal and external, will protect it, preventing it from being a source of disease or infection.
Attend a training and ask
Usually the coaches will invite you to attend one of their training sessions for free. This will help you to assess what type of methods it uses and to get an idea of how much you will have to be personally involved in the process. Keep in mind that the training will end, but your relationship with your dog will last for many years.
Do not be afraid to ask questions and inquire, either the handler, the owners of the dogs you see in the session or looking for additional information on the web. Do not be left with doubts, because if there is something that will be essential for your dog’s training to be successful, it is that, between you and the trainer, there is good communication based on trust.
It is always the right time for training
As we have already said, the sooner you start training a dog, the better it will be for him, but there are different types of education. In general, it begins at 6 months, but there are also trainers, who offer classes for puppies, who help you, from a tender age, your dog has certain habits, for example, hygiene and obedience.
As for larger dogs, there are times when a trainer must be used to remove “vices”, that is, behaviors that, due to the owners’ lack of experience, dogs acquire and that need a re-education process to correct them. If that is your case, no matter how old you are, a good trainer will always be of great help to you.
Trained and certified trainers
Do not stay with a trainer just for his fame, try to find out if he has taken courses and if he has the certifications that enable him to do that job. Make sure that the places where you have done your learning have a good reputation, both locally, nationally and internationally. Another positive thing is that he is a professional who tries to keep up with the new techniques and methodologies.
Non-aggressive training methods
The vast majority of national and international training organizations agree that using positive motivators that seek to reward dogs for their good behavior are more effective when training them than negative motivators, that is, those that involve a punishment, when the dog does not act as the handler wants.
There are many theories and ways to train dogs, basically because each animal is different. Sometimes they are motivated by food, there are those who only learn with affection and also those who require the use of more playful methods. Whatever type of discipline your dog is going to be taught, the methodology must be devoid of aggressiveness and you must ensure that it is.
If you notice that the handler, whether of puppies or larger dogs, uses techniques that involve hitting, scaring or yelling at the animal, look elsewhere. Your dog’s trainer must be assertive when educating, praising achievements and correcting mistakes, so that the animal learns, while generating a stream of respect, never fear, between the trainer and your dog.
A good trainer dog relationship
Each dog is unique and unrepeatable and you know yours better than anyone. For this reason, you must be the one to decide if they have a good time or if, on the other hand, no matter how better the trainer you have chosen, they do not “connect”. To do this, you must give your dog time to get to know his trainer as he can find the teaching method that best suits your dog.
Choosing the best trainer for your dog implies that you will have to personally check what the behavior of your furry dog is. If you notice that he is not comfortable or that he is repeatedly ignoring the directives he receives, he may have a great trainer, but he is not the one your canine friend needs. You must make sure that your dog enjoys while learning.
You and your dog trainer
Keep in mind that your dog’s trainer will do a job that you must follow later, so it is essential that you pay a lot of attention to his directives. You must have a very fluid and clear communication with him and be willing to change certain habits, preconceptions or customs, for the good of the education of your dog.
When you decide to hire a dog trainer you have to be very clear that he will not only teach your dog, but also give you certain types of directives, so open your mind and go with expectation that you will also learn a lot, to be the best companion and owner of your dog.
