Helpful tips in finding the right trainer for you and your new friend.
Finding a good quality knowledgeable dog trainer can be difficult.
Below are some helpful tips and questions to help you find the right fit.
Below are some helpful tips and questions to help you find the right fit.
- First we recommend you you contact your local AKC all breed club or AKC obedience club if that is an option. We know not everyone wants to compete and we are fine with that! But we find that there are a lot more qualified trainers associated with AKC breed and obedience clubs then any other. So its a good place to start looking, also if there is not a club near you contact the closest one and they might have some recommendations for good trainers in your area. Here is a link to help you find the nearest club: https://www.apps.akc.org/apps/clubs/search/index.cfm
- If AKC was a total miss try the yellow pages, or even a google search and ring them with the questions below.
Many trainers now days us "positive only" methods. While this training style can be good in some instances we find it is less effective on finding that true strong bond with your Border Collie (speci ically). More often then not these trainers are given a 6 wks "how to train dogs" class and set off into the world to be trainers. They are new and don't want to mess a dog up, they want to appear knowledgeable and so they start spouting all kinds of behavior rhetoric. We often see them asking questions about the dogs history or breeding, they may want you to flip the dog over to see how "dominate" he is as they desperately try to gain knowledge of any kind to help them. The reality is - any trainer worth there salt will know most everything they need just by greeting the dog for the first time. With a true knowledgeable trainer things come easy. They are calm, cool, and collected because they have probably seen it all and are not afraid of what may come, they know that if they give you the knowledge and the puppy is still an ass hole - ITS BECAUSE OF YOU! Not to be overtly harsh but nine and a half times out of ten our dogs problems are us, always keep this in mind. How we raise them the behaviors we accept and let go have an impact on how that puppy interacts with the world and us.
Questions to ask your potential trainer
I have kept the questions short and to a minimum as most legit dog people have little time and would rather be working a dog then on a phone. Try not to be to chatty but make sure if you think the person might be a good fit to get enough information.
- What method(s) of training do you prefer to use? What other methods do you know or have you used and with what frequency.
- How long have you been training? What breeds do you primarily work with?
- Have you ever competed in AKC events? What is the highest level you achieved a title in? If not AKC then any other competitive obedience venues?
- Is training how you make a living or is it just something you enjoy doing?
- Number five is more for you - it is important that you can connect and get along with your trainer. You are welcome to exchange this question for one you are more comfortable with but here are two options 1) Are you a Type A or Type B person? 2) What do you prefer Beer, Wine or Water?
If you feel comfortable with the person you might inquire about class schedule, if they give privates, and cost. If you are not feeling them then just thank them for there time and move on.
If you want further help deciding on a trainer after you have there answers let us know and we can help you sort though the candidates.
If you want further help deciding on a trainer after you have there answers let us know and we can help you sort though the candidates.