10/03/2025
๐พA Rant - Choosing the Right Dog Trainer โ What You NEED to Know! ๐พ
When searching for a dog training class or a trainer for a behaviour consult, ask yourself the question below:
" ๐ฟ๐ค๐๐จ ๐ข๐ฎ ๐๐ค๐ ๐๐๐จ๐๐ง๐ซ๐ ๐ฉ๐ค ๐๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ช๐๐๐ฉ ๐ช๐จ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐จ๐๐ค๐ข๐๐ค๐ง๐ฉ, ๐ฅ๐๐๐ฃ ๐ค๐ง ๐๐๐๐ง?"
The answer is obviousโof course not! But sadly, these aversive training methods are still used far too often, leaving dogs (and their families) to suffer the consequences.
Right now, the dog training industry is divided between force-free, reward-based trainers and those who use punishment-based, aversive methods. While we try and simply focus on providing the best care for the dogs we work with, we canโt ignore the heartbreaking stories of mistreatment that still occur.
More recently I have heard truly shocking stories. Some of these have been dogs taken out of sight from their owners to have chains thrown at themโฆ dogs being hit with equipment, the use of electric shock collars, prong collars, and slip leads like theyโre standard practice. One of the most bizarre things Iโve heard, was an owner being advised:"To improve your dog's recall, you need to use a prong collar." Sorry what? The dog is already struggling to come back to the owner, and the solution is to cause discomfort and pain? And guess what - that advice cost my client $550!
The worst I must share with my clients permission, is the story of a 16-week-old puppy fitted with an electric shock collar because it was struggling in class. Instead of helping the pup feel safe and supported, they resorted to punishment. And now that poor pup is terrified of people, especially men, making everyday life so incredibly hard and stressful for this poor pup and its family, its just no ok.
So, how can you avoid this? ASK QUESTIONS!
โ
What training methods do you use?
๐ฉ If they say, โwhatever worksโ or boast about โ25 years of experienceโ without mentioning force-free, reward-based positive reinforcement methodsโrun! The best trainers follow science-backed, ethical training practices that work and these donโt require force.
โ
What training equipment do you recommend?
๐ฉ If they donโt mention a harness or soft collar & lead but say โwe use whatever is needed to reduce stressโ, dig deeper. Do they use slip leads, prong collars, electric shock collars, or intimidation techniques? If so, these are outdated training methods that are simply not required to train a dog, they never were and there are multiple scientific studies out there that back this, you can google them. Anyone that uses aversive techniques are not force-free trainers.
โ
What are your qualifications?
๐ฉ If they call themselves a โbalanced trainerโ or claim theyโve โrun a successful business for yearsโ but have no formal force-free education, chances are they mix aversive methods with positive reinforcement. If you are wondering what qualifications to look at that are provided in Australia the main two are The Delta Institute or those who have studied Karen Pryor there are a few others there but these the main two that come to mind, I am more than happy to help you with this.
โ
How much do you charge?
๐ฉ Highly qualified trainers typically donโt charge more than $300 for a behaviour consultโunless they have multiple behaviour qualifications and years of experience. If someone charges significantly more without listing their credentials, itโs a red flag.
๐จ The dog training industry is UNREGULATED, and this needs to change! ๐จ
If you witness or experience unethical training methods, I encourage you to please:
โ Call it out
โ Leave a review
โ Spread the word
In this crazy world we live in at the moment, what we can do is be the voice for our dogs and ensure they receive the kind, science-based training they need and deserve as dogs deserve better. ๐ถ๐
Big thanks to The Perfect Puppy Company for the wonderful thought provoking post, that inspired my rant lol!!
"๐ฟ๐ค๐๐จ ๐ข๐ฎ ๐๐ค๐ ๐๐๐จ๐๐ง๐ซ๐ ๐ฉ๐ค ๐๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ช๐๐๐ฉ ๐ช๐จ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐จ๐๐ค๐ข๐๐ค๐ง๐ฉ, ๐ฅ๐๐๐ฃ ๐ค๐ง ๐๐๐๐ง?"
That's the fundamental question every dog owner needs to ask themselves before they hire a trainer or join a training class.
If your answer is "no' how do you reassure yourself that your prospective trainer/class won't teach this way (because, sadly, you can't assume they won't)? Ask them this...
"๐ฟ๐ค ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช ๐ช๐จ๐ ๐๐ฃ๐ฎ ๐ค๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐ค๐ก๐ก๐ค๐ฌ๐๐ฃ๐ - ๐จ๐ก๐๐ฅ ๐ก๐๐๐๐จ, ๐๐๐ค๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ฃ๐จ, ๐๐ง๐ค๐ฉ ๐๐ค๐ก๐ก๐๐ง๐จ, ๐ฅ๐ง๐ค๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ค๐ก๐ก๐๐ง๐จ, ๐-๐๐ค๐ก๐ก๐๐ง๐จ (๐จ๐๐ค๐๐ ๐๐ค๐ก๐ก๐๐ง๐จ), ๐ง๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐จ, ๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐ ๐๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ค๐ก๐ก๐๐ง๐จ, ๐๐๐๐ช๐ง๐ ๐ค๐ 8 ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ค๐ก๐ก๐๐ง๐จ, ๐๐ค๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ง๐จ*, ๐ฉ๐ง๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐จ๐๐จ, ๐๐ค๐ข๐ฅ๐ง๐๐จ๐จ๐๐ ๐๐๐ง ๐จ๐ฅ๐ง๐๐ฎ๐จ, ๐ฌ๐๐ฉ๐๐ง ๐จ๐ฅ๐ง๐๐ฎ๐จ?"
If the answer isn't an unequivocal "no' then keep looking. Because all these tools work by causing (or threatening) discomfort, fear or pain on some level.
These two questions can help you avoid ending up in a class or with a trainer who may not treat your dog in the way you would like them to be treated. Training is an unregulated industry. There are no minimum standards of competency or ethics. So it's down to you to ask the right questions for your dog's sake. Don't assume. Ask.
* tightly rolled towels used a missile
