The dog training industry being an unregulated one, is difficult to deal with. Anyone can just print business cards and charge for their services, irrespective of their credentials, schooling, or exposure. Therefore, it’s vital to examine potential trainers before trusting them with your pooch and money, not only because they are supposed to train but because what they train is going to last in your family forever.
We all love our four-legged best friends and only want the best for them. When choosing a trainer, we don’t just need to look at their experience. While that is important, it is also important to look at what they have in store. Their terminology, their behavior with your pooch, their reactions to your pet’s behavior, and most importantly, the kind of modules and activities they train with. As trainers have a bunch of activities and training methods, they utilize to help train your pet, it is important to note the trainer’s philosophy as you don’t want someone using negative reinforcement techniques or treating your dog as a submissive rather than teaching it love and respect, potentially spoiling your relationship with them.
Read along to understand how a dog trainer Fountain Valley can help you with training modules:
Understand your needs: Firstly, it is crucial to understand what your pet needs to learn. Is it an extreme case or it just needs basic obedience training? Because then teaching them to “sit,” “stay,” and “heel” is not exactly the first lesson you might want to start with. Some trainers do rehabilitation, some do obedience, some help especially with mental issues while some do all. Look at their modules and procedures to understand what they can offer and whether it fits with what your pet requires and accordingly make the decision.
Understand trainer’s philosophy: The trainer’s philosophy and what their teaching methodologies are determines their techniques. Some utilize positive reinforcement, like rewarding them for good behavior and avoiding the wrong one, others can be harsh with their procedures and can forever scar your pet and your relationship with them. Therefore, when looking at their training modules it is critical to understand the trainer’s approach and terminology they use around your pet.
Ask for credentials: Asking for the trainer’s qualifications, past experiences and certifications make them accountable for standard guidelines as it is a skilled activity, and it also requires a good grasp. Your trainer should be able to read a dog’s body language, understand their learning style, and should be able to curate modules specifically personalized for your pet.
Get referrals: Getting referrals won’t just help you understand their methods but they can give you an idea of their manners, reliability, and their willingness to follow through which in turn reflects in their modules.
Coincide with your ethics: Some people are opposed to harsh training procedures like choke chains while some might find them helpful. However, if a dog parent is uncomfortable with its use, their pet will likely have a bad experience with it too. While that could be one reason, there are ample others why one module that works for one pet won’t work for yours. There is a world of options for trainers and their modules. However, the best modules for your pet will be the one that coincides with your values.
Be a part of the process: Although there’s nothing wrong with dropping your pet at daycare, being a part of the process is important. Dog training is a continuous procedure that requires efforts from both the trainer & the parent throughout training. A module designed for your pet where you get to do activities with them is a way to build a connection. Make sure your trainer makes you a part of this.
Conclusion: Just like every individual, your pet is unique and no one can say which module is the best because no one size fits all. The best module for your pet is the one that is designed according to your pet’s needs and your ethics and helps you build a stronger relationship of mutual understanding and respect with your little one.
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