THE IMPORTANCE FINDING THE RIGHT TRAINER FOR YOUR DOG

Dogs have resided with humans for thousands of years, but regardless of their usefulness or the affection people have felt for them, they were, until more recent years, thought of as creatures with little ability for thought or feeling. Thankfully, studies now show that dogs are far more capable than many people ever imagined, where thought and emotions are concerned. Unfortunately, there are still people out there, trainers and so called behaviourists included, who believe in the old way of thinking about dogs and cats and they treat them accordingly.

Getting a dog can be an overwhelming experience, especially for first time dog owners. There is an endless list of foods, toys, grooming supplies, supplements and other products on the market to choose from and that list continues with trainers and so called behaviourists. With so many hands in the basket and no regulations for anyone to adhere to, many dogs end up in the wrong hands and in turn with behaviour issues, some of which can be very serious. Many dogs end up in shelters because of behaviour problems and because the owners do not understand what happened or how to deal with the issues.

Although there are all kinds of "dog training schools" and courses out there for people, most of these courses are based on the beliefs of one self taught person and not on the scientific research which has proven successful in behaviour modification and training. There are however courses taught by qualified behaviourists as well although many trainers and so called behaviourists do not take any training at all, they simply read a few books, watch some celebrity dog training shows and decide they are a dog trainer. The problem is, even if these individuals love dogs, they are not educated enough to determine why a behaviour has occurred or how to correct it properly and many times dogs end up more damaged than they started out.

A lot of damage can be done in a very small amount of time when working with your dog. Taking the wrong advice can lead to behavioural issues and fears, which may be long term or even permanent.

I have experienced first hand what can happen when you take the wrong advice about training your dog. I have lived with how it has affected my own dog and eight years later, we are still dealing with his fear issues, low self-confidence and anxiety.

The good thing is, there are a lot of knowledgeable trainers out there you just have to do your research and use your gut, to find the right one. Training is one of the most important and rewarding things you will do with your dog, so finding the right person with the right skills that fit your lifestyle, is crucial.

Patricia McConnell, a Certified Applied Animal Behaviourist, wrote a great article about what to look for in a trainer/behaviourist. You can find the article here http://www.patriciamcconnell.com/theotherendoftheleash/who-should-treat-behavior-problems-in-dogs-cats.

With so much focus on dominance theories and training by force out there in the world of dog training, it is so important to make sure you ask questions when you are looking for a dog trainer. Anyone who tells you they cannot work with your dog without the use of force or intimidation and without using tools like pinch collars and choke chains, isn't worth their salt as a dog trainer/behaviourist. Anyone who insists your dog is going to dominate your life if you allow them on your furniture, in your bed or to go out the door ahead of you etc. is not up on the latest information and scientific research and will most likely misdiagnose your dog's behaviour and that can be disastrous.

Damaging your relationship with your dog, or his or her ability to live their life without anxiety and fear is not worth keeping your mouth shut or saving a few bucks. If your gut tells you something is wrong, it probably is. So, move on. It's your right to do so and your dog will thank you for it.

You can join my Facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/PawsitiveWellness?ref=hl