How do you find the right trainer? Ask these 2 questions.

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Finding the right dog trainer is an important decision. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming. It’s important to work with a certified, experienced trainer and one who shares your core beliefs and values.

If a trainer is unwilling to be completely clear and transparent about their methodology, buyer beware! Asking these two questions can help you determine which trainer is right for you:

What happens to my dog when they get it right?

How is my dog going to know when they get it right? How is the trainer going to ensure they keep getting it right? At Clickstart Dog Training Academy, when your dog is successful, we mark the behavior with a click or “yes!” and then give your dog something they like such as food, a toy, or access to other reinforcers (sniffing, social interaction, etc). Every dog is biologically geared to want and like food, so we often take advantage of that in our training. Ultimately, we want to make sure we are rewarding your dog with something that they are truly motivated to work for. A trainer may claim to use “praise” as a reward for good behavior, but unless we see an increase in the desired behaviors, that isn’t actually reinforcing anything.

What happens to my dog when they get it wrong?

What counts as “wrong”? How is the trainer going to respond to “wrong” behaviors? This question is where many red flags can pop up! Clickstart Dog Training Academy trainers believe that when a dog gets it “wrong,” it’s a human error and not a dog error. If we see something go awry in training, we simply re-assess the situation, alter the conditions, and try again. We control our dogs’ environments, so it is up to us to ensure they are set up for success by preventing problems. For example, if a dog has made a habit of perching on the back of the couch to look out the window and bark at passersby, we could: close the blinds/curtains or install window clings to prevent looking out, rearrange the furniture to remove the dog’s window perch, or keep the dog away from the windows with baby gates or X-Pens. (In addition to positively reinforcing desired alternative behaviors, of course!)

Many trainers will intentionally set the dog up to preform the undesirable behavior with the intent to apply a punisher, such as a verbal correction, physical correction, or pressure from an aversive piece of training equipment. While these methods can effectively suppress behaviors, they do not address the underlying cause of them, and can significantly damage your relationship with your dog. If a trainer ever describes dog behavior with words like “dominance,” “alpha,” or “pack leader,” be careful! In the long run, these methods can do far more damage than good.

Dog training is currently an unregulated industry in the United States, with no required education or certification process. At Clickstart Dog Training Academy, we highly value education and make sure all of our trainers are certified through widely respected organizations such as the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers and the Karen Pryor Academy that require both formal education, hands-on experience in the field, and require annual attendance of seminars and conferences on behavior and training to maintain titles. You wouldn’t take your dog to an un-licenced veterinarian, so why take them to an un-certified trainer? We like to be fully transparent with our clients throughout the training process. You can read more about our specific certifications below!

CPDT-KA: Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. Requirements:

  • Passing score on a 250 multiple choice exam on ethology, learning theory, dog training technique, equipment, and instruction.

  • A minimum of 300 hours’ experience in dog training within the last 3 years.

  • A signed attestation statement from a CCPDT certificant or veterinarian.

  • Sign and file Standards of Practice, Code of Ethics, and Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive

  • Yearly CEU requirement to maintain certification.

KPA-CTP: Karen Pryor Academy-Certified Training Partner through the Karen Pryor Academy. Requirements:

  • Completion of the six-month Dog Trainer Professional course.

  • Passing scores on all written assignments and training exercises.

  • Training video submissions or in-person demonstrations.

  • Sign and file Standards of Practice, Code of Ethics, and Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive

  • Yearly CEU requirement to maintain certification.

FFCP: Fear Free Certified Professional through Fear Free Pets. Requirements:

  • Passing score on initial intake exam on learning theory, canine behavior, and training techniques.

  • At least ONE certification through a list of approved Certifications, Licensing & Educational Programs.

  • Completion of the online course, including passing scores on all exams.

  • Yearly CEU requirement to maintain certification.

Need help finding a dog trainer, or another qualified pet professional? Send us a message and we’re happy to help!

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