Training styles, questions to ask, things to know.
If you're reading this, you are likely looking for a dog trainer. Congrats on asking questions and researching the many options available for you and your dog. Between the social media madness and the vast amount of misinformation, if I put myself in the shoes of any dog owner, I can imagine it's a difficult place to be, especially since you are seeking help and want to make sure you're making the right decision on where to invest your time, money and the not to mention trust with the wellbeing of your beloved companion.
It's fascinating that dog training, which involves teaching and modifying the behavior of a sentient being often while simultaneously teaching their human guardians, is such a serious and scientific process, yet it is an unlicensed and unregulated profession in the U.S. As a certified professional dog trainer and human guardian to my beloved canines, here is some information I hope will help you.
Let's get started:
How do you want your dog to learn?
This is a personal choice, but I think it is important for people to understand there are different ways to train their dogs. When reading this information, you can ask yourself how you would like to learn and if you will be comfortable with what the trainer asks of you. While there may be a bit of a learning curve as you learn new skills alongside your dog, you should never feel uncomfortable with what your trainer is asking you to do.
Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement-based training focuses on teaching the dog what to do instead of what not to do. It emphasizes reinforcing desired behavior using treats, play, praise, or other rewards the dog enjoys. This approach avoids punishing unwanted behaviors and focuses on helping the dog better understand the task. It does not use physical corrections. The trainer considers the dog's individual well-being characteristics, emotional state, genetics, environment, and many other factors in the training program, with the top priority being the dog's experience and that they are taught in a way that nurtures long-term change.
Balanced Trainer As the name suggests, these trainers use positive reinforcement and physical corrections. The dog is looked at as an individual, and there is awareness of the dog's emotional state. Like any methodology, the training style and how balanced they are with their reward vs. corrections depends on the trainer. Balanced trainers are willing to use various tools on the dog, such as prong collars, slip collars, e-collars, and more, to achieve the desired results. Many teach the dog new behaviors using positive reinforcement methods and then will "proof" the behaviors using corrections. Some immediately put correction tools on the dogs, which should be a red flag.
Correction Based Trainer This methodology is about compliance, with little to no motivator for the dog other than to avoid punishment and pain. Little to no rewards are used. This method is often referred to as "old school." Many of these trainers will sell you on the belief that your dog is trying to be the "alfa" and that you must show them who the boss is. Yikes! Many dogs trained with this method develop more complex behavioral issues.
Education and Experience
When looking for a dog trainer, it's important to consider their educational qualifications and their experience in the field training or modifying the behaviors you are working to teach/change in your dog. For example, a trainer may have credentials, but they've only taught obedience in a group class setting, and you're looking for in-home training for your aggressive dog. You can see how this may not be a pairing that will get you the results you're looking for.
Transparency
Trainers with credentials and experience are open to answering your questions. I can't speak for all of us, but when I hear a potential client asking questions, it brings me so much joy, as it indicates someone who is genuinely committed to finding the best match for their training needs.
How trainers label themselves can tell you a lot.
Underqualified trainers may use terms to label themselves that may seem appealing to the public but hold no real value when it comes to their actual knowledge.
Dog Behavioralist or Dog Psychologist: These terms have no educational or professional credentials.
Dog trainer/Behavior Consultant: no educational credentials are required. There are many types of certifications available. Ask if they are certified and in what methodology they were taught.
The term "Behaviorist" is occasionally used by trainers, but it is important to note that it specifically refers to individuals who have obtained an advanced degree and have been certified by the Animal Behavior Society with the designation ACAAB or CAAB. This certification signifies a high level of expertise in animal behavior and training.
Here are some questions you can ask and the information you hope to receive.
What methodology will you use to train my dog? You should hear a response that emphasizes the use of positive reinforcement techniques. Training should focus on teaching the dog new behaviors rather than punishing them or suppressing the unwanted behavior.
How will you teach my dogs? Something like...We will teach them foundational skills that will be the basis of all our training. We will then continue to increase in difficulty and complexity as your dog shows proficiency in these skills and you build your skills as a handler. Specific to behavioral cases: You never want the trainer to recommend putting the dogs in situations that trigger them early in the training process. This is called flooding. The goal should be to change the dog's emotional responses, which can be achieved through short, controlled exposure after the dog has mastered foundational skills.
What will you do when my dog gets something wrong? Something like... We will take a step backward to troubleshoot what the dog does not understand, offering the dog additional input and reinforcement to build the skill further. Dogs do the best they can with the information they have. If they don't understand something, the trainer should change the approach or environment and or address the owner's handling skills to help provide the dog with clarity. You are your dog's advocate; ask questions. If you aren't getting clear and concise answers, keep looking. Some other thoughts.....
Board and Trains
I have much to say about this and will write another blog post about my big feelings about this topic, but here is the gist.
Many boards and trains use harsh methods, and unfortunately, there are too many horror stories about dogs being mistreated. If you can imagine what a correction looks like in front of you, consider how your companion may feel with someone potentially correcting them harder behind closed doors while being in a brand new environment.
But Heather, my aunt Sally, had her dog trained with X, and he's great. That's awesome for Aunt Sally, but how does her dog feel? As we all know, looking good and feeling good are two different things. Imagine this: one child might excel in a public school environment, learning effectively and making many friends. Another child might feel stressed and overwhelmed, struggling to grasp the material as it's being taught. This could lead to a lack of confidence and social skills and a dislike for learning and interacting with other kids. Your dog could have a similar experience if they are placed in an environment that prioritizes outcomes over their well-being, which often leads to undesirable behaviors in the long term. There are good boards and trainers out there, but in my experience, many aren't great. Many dogs come to me needing additional training to overcome the fear that has been ingrained in them. Do your research and visit the facility. You should be allowed to show up whenever not when they have had time to prepare.
All of this to say...
The choice is yours, and I hold no judgment against people who choose to use methods I disagree with. However, everyone deserves to be guided to do their own research because, ultimately, we all want one thing: to do right by our beloved companions.
I do hope that more people understand that they can choose to train their dogs using fun and kindness to motivate them to learn instead of force and see the immense value in using training methods that produce results by building trust and connection through ethical practices.
Hi, I'm Heather Mazahri, the owner of Z Dog Training Academy. I'm a certified professional dog trainer dedicated to the science of dog training. I've trained dogs professionally since 2012, specializing in behavior modification using modern and ethical training methods. As a previously balanced trainer gone R+, I'm deeply invested in educating human guardians and helping them to better understand their canine companions. With patience, fun, education, and connection, we can work to teach and train our dogs in compassionate ways.
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