“This is how to train your dog quickly and easily” says the ad. The tools of the trade for a modern day trainer; a choke chain, a pinch collar, a shock collar, a head halter, or a clicker. What’s the new dog owner to think? What choice is the right choice? What choice is the most successful? Which training tool will yield fastest and long lasting results?
These are the questions dog owners ask. And they should.
There are other factors to take into account besides what another expert says works. A “factor” such as the mom, the dad or any person actually training the dog. What I have learned in the past 20 years as a dog trainer is this:
– There are many ways to achieve the same result- a well trained dog
– Most training methods can work most of the time
– There is no one ‘right’ way.
– If you don’t take into account the personality of the trainer; the dog’s owners- and what
they’re comfortable doing then you are severely limiting the probability of a successful training outcome. People generally must be or must become comfortable with the training method applied for them to continue.
– Consistency is the key to successful training. If the trainers (you, and your family) are not consistent then the training process will be fraught with frustration and fractured results, not dependable ones.
-None of the dog training tools are bad. No tools are bad. They can however be applied incorrectly.
– Some dog training tools, when applied incorrectly can be more damaging than others. For example when using primarily Reinforcement based training if you inadvertently reinforce an unwanted behavior a few times you may indeed get more that unwanted behavior. If, however, you use a shock collar incorrectly, or apply it to a dog with a certain type of personality you may indeed cause that dog harm.
My advice when looking for a dog trainer is:
-Ask 3-4 trainers WHAT method they primarily use for training. Ask about specific tools, do they use only a gentle leader or head halter and clicker? Do they rebuff that and only use a pinch collar?
-Ask yourself and the primary trainers in your family if you’re comfortable with the method and trainer chosen. You are selecting a person who is going to guide you and your dog. They must not be timid and must be able to communicate effectively and tell you what you may or may not want to hear. If you’re not comfortable with either the method or the trainer then do you really think you’re going to follow through consistently?