How Do You Choose a Dog Trainer?

I just saw the coolest dog training video on social media.

It was teaching a dog to stop.

In less than a minute, the video took us from a simple treat toss to a hand signal. Quick, clever, and something almost anyone could go out and try with their dog.

To me, this is where social media shines.

It's where we learn how to change the headlight in our car, find a good deal on groceries, discover a new recipe, or pick up a clever new way to teach our dog a behaviour.

But it may also be where your dog trainer got their education.

And that's worth thinking about.

In today's world of endless choices, how do you choose a dog trainer? And how do you decide what that service is worth?

Start With Education

Certification isn't the only thing I would consider when choosing a dog trainer, but it's a good place to start.

A meaningful certification gives you some assurance of education, tested knowledge, and a standard of professional care. It also means that person's knowledge isn't based solely on their own experience or what they've learned online.

None of us learns in isolation.

We stand on the shoulders of other educated professionals—from veterinarians and trainers to behaviourists and researchers—and continue building on the work and knowledge that

came before us.

Then Look at Experience

Education matters.

So does actually working with dogs.

Their own dogs. Client dogs. Shelter dogs. Volunteer work. Group classes. Behaviour cases.

Everyday family dogs.

Because knowing something and knowing how to apply it aren't always the same thing.

Think about parenting advice.

Would you take parenting advice from someone who had read a book or watched a video but had no experience with actually raising a child?

What about someone who had spent years professionally working with children and families?

How about the coach of the little league hockey team?

Each brings a different kind of education and level of experience to the conversation.

The same is true with dog trainers.

So, How Much Should You Pay?

Costs vary considerably in the dog training industry, and that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Think about getting your car fixed.

Maybe you have a neighbour who's handy and likes to tinker with cars. You probably don't mind if he Googles a few things while you sit in his garage chatting. He looks under the hood, makes a few adjustments, and later you pay him by dropping off a case of beer.

You may even be back there a few times while he tries something different, learns a little more, and tinkers some more. Maybe it costs a few cases of beer along the way.

And there's nothing wrong with that. He's learning, you're getting some help with your car, and it's not costing you a fortune while he figures it out. But would you pay mechanic prices?

For a mechanic you'd expect to pay more, because he spent years in an apprenticeship program learning the trade and having his knowledge tested.

Maybe that mechanic works from his garage at home. His overhead is lower, so his rates might be lower too.

Now put that same mechanic in a fully equipped shop.

He has hydraulic lifts, walls of specialized tools, diagnostic equipment, and other experienced mechanics he can consult when he runs into something unusual.

You're going to pay more.

And part of what you're paying for is the building and the equipment. As well as his education, experience, resources, and professional support that come with it. 

You're not simply paying for the hour it takes someone to work on your car.

You're paying for what they bring to that hour.

The same should be true for our dogs.