Fetch the right trainer for your dog

By dnp-team On Nov 16, 2012

Training a dog should be a part of one’s daily routine, it helps keeping the pet parent challenged to achieve the goal by experimenting with different ways, besides keeping their dog psychologically challenged. To achieve your goal, you need to have a knowledgeable trainer. Here’s how to select the right trainer for your pooch.

By having you during the sessions there will be a major gap filled, which is… “The dog works very well around the trainer, but not around us”. Remember, the dogs have to live their life with you, so it is you who need to understand and work with his instincts with the help of an expert, who is a trainer.

It is important to select a right trainer for your pooch. A trainer should have the following qualities before you take him on board:

The trainer should be knowledgeable about the breed of your dog, should educate you with the traits of the respective breed and should be able to identify, explain your pet’s instinct.
He should be calm, not hurried at all always trying to instill that quality in you.
He should be educated to use different methods depending upon your dog’s instincts because each dog is different.
He should be able to understand your desired goals and ability of the dog before being hired (try spending an hour with the trainer and you will have your answer).
He has to help you to help the dog for best results.
He should insist on a family member to accompany them on the sessions (right from the 1st session) and remember he will be training you as well as your dog. (Note if the trainer is enjoying working with the dog and if your dog is enjoying the trainer.)
Always insist on using a normal collar during training sessions, a trainer will be happy to work the dog with any collar if he understands the dog.
If the trainer does group training, always visit one such training session and notice if each student is getting individual and group help.
Boarding to train is only required for special needs of a pet parent from the dog, like – therapy dog, guard dog, service dog, etc. The trainer should be educated enough to suggest if your dog has the instincts to achieve the desired goal. Feel free to ask and attend a session of an ongoing training programme, also check the boarding area to be used for your dog.
The trainer must come from a recommendation of your vet, family or friend (a pet parent). A trainer should be ready to give you three different references with whom you can meet and check the results before hiring.
Never hesitate to ask questions from the trainer, it might not be relevant/intelligent questions, but remember when a child starts to learn about new things, they are always very inquisitive.

No trainer will ever guarantee that the dog will behave at their best for the rest of their lives, but what they should assure you of is; if you are consistent with the methods and be the leader that the dog seeks out of you, nothing will stop your dog from pleasing you every single time and he will be available if you need assistance in future. A basic training programme should start when the puppy is at 3 months old and only last for maximum 2 months while a special training programme should start at the age of 60 days and can last 3 to 6 months.

(Manoor Sachdev runs Canine Solutions dedicated to make the companionship between the human and his animal to be perfect & long lasting. For queries, log on to: facebook.com/Canine.Solutions.Program).