Red flags when hiring a dog trainer:
They refuse to show you their facility.
Your dog will spend hours or days there. You deserve to see where your pet sleeps, eats, and trains.
No legitimate trainer hides their workspace.
They talk in vague terms about methods.
Ask them to explain operant conditioning. All four quadrants.
Ask about classical conditioning principles.
A real trainer knows the science behind behavior modification.
They blame your dog without explaining why.
Good trainers read body language. They identify anxiety, insecurity, or dominance displays.
They explain the root cause of behaviors.
Bad trainers just say "your dog is stubborn" or "needs discipline."
They promise overnight results.
Behavior change takes time. Weeks or months depending on the issue.
Instant fixes don't exist in dog training.
They use only punishment-based methods.
Fear-based training creates more problems than it solves.
Balanced trainers use positive reinforcement AND corrections when appropriate.
Your dog's safety and mental health matter more than quick compliance.
Ask these questions before you hire anyone:
- Where will my dog stay during training?
- What methods do you use and why?
- How do you handle aggressive or anxious dogs?
- What's your background?
If they claim to have worked elsewhere, call that place and run a reference check.
Trust your instincts. Your dog depends on your choice.
#dog #dogs #dogtrainer #dogtraining
