Chapter 9: Going to School

You can learn a lot from training books and DVDs, but you might also want to consider taking your dog to a training class. Just as with any profession, there are good trainers and bad ones. There are good classes and bad ones. Take your time and look for a class that will be of excellent quality for you and your puppy. Observe a class before enrolling your puppy. A good instructor will happily allow that.

What to Look for in a Trainer

Some things to look for in a trainer include their methods, experience, and certifications.

Positive Methods

The trainer uses positive methods. A website or brochure may tout “positive methods,” but that doesn’t mean that they truly are. Look for a trainer who uses clicker training or lure and reward training. Avoid trainers who use those methods at first but then “correct” a dog after he “should know what he’s doing.” This is another term for a collar yank or other physical punishment, which are not necessary when training behaviors. Avoid trainers who use choke chains, prong/pinch collars, or electric collars.

Your dog’s trainer should have experience and an education in canine behavior.

Experience and Education

The teacher has experience and an education in canine behavior. Unfortunately, anyone can call him- or herself a dog trainer. There is no certification or license required. Ask what specific education the trainer has had. “I’ve had dogs all my life” doesn’t qualify.

Earning titles on dogs doesn’t necessarily mean that the trainer has the experience that you need or the ability to train others. If you are interested in pursuing competitive events with your dog, however, look for a trainer who has titles on his or her dogs and has successful experience training others to achieve titles on their dogs. If you are not interested in competition, then this should not be a deciding factor. You need a trainer who has experience and education in teaching family manners.

What education should you look for? If the trainer states a specific school or academy, look it up and find out what training methods the school instructs. Ask if the trainer pursues continuing education, either by attending conferences or workshops or with webinars. A quality trainer always pursues current continuing education. If a trainer says, “I’ve been training for X years and my methods have always been successful,” this is not a good answer. Dog training has evolved tremendously in recent years, and it’s important that trainers keep up with current methods and information. There are many educational opportunities available for trainers these days, and there’s no excuse not to learn.

Certifications

Ask if the trainer has any certifications. There is currently only one certifying body, independent of any specific school, which offers credentialed testing for dog trainers. It is the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). The CCPDT offers several different designations for trainers. All require a minimum amount of hours teaching as a lead instructor, plus recommendations from fellow canine professionals and clients and a passing grade on a proctored examination. The designations that include skills assessment require video proof of training skills. In order to keep their designations, trainers must pursue requirements in continuing education.

Independent schools and other training programs also offer credentials to their graduates. These can at least demonstrate that a trainer has been dedicated in completing an academic program or has successfully passed a knowledge assessment. Just keep in mind that the credential only reflects that of the particular training school, so research the school to ensure that it covers modern, positive methods. It should also require continuing education in order to keep the designation.

Just because a trainer doesn’t have a certification doesn’t mean that he or she is not a good trainer or can’t help you with training your dog. Ask if the trainer is interested in pursuing credentials. It may be cost-prohibitive for him or her.

CCPDT designations include:

•Certified Professional Dog Trainer—Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA)

•Certified Professional Dog Trainer—Knowledge and Skills Assessed (CPDT-KSA)

•Certified Behavior Consultant Canine—Knowledge Assessed (CBCC-KA)

•Certified Behavior Consultant Canine—Knowledge and Skills Assessed (CBCC-KSA)

Professional Association

The trainer belongs to a professional association, such as the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) or the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). Membership in professional associations does not guarantee that a trainer is qualified or uses positive methods, but it does show a commitment to the profession. Ask if the trainer is involved in the association—does he or she attend meetings or conferences? Keep up with the association’s publications? Look for an interest in continuing education and an emphasis on professionalism.

Make sure that the overall tone of the trainer’s class is upbeat and positive.

Ask Around

In trying to find a quality class for you and your puppy, ask for recommendations from your veterinarian and friends. Keep in mind that their criteria for a good trainer may not match yours, so still do your research.

Research a trainer’s educational background to ensure it covers modern, positive methods.

Assess the Class

When you visit the class, look for the following:

•The trainers and assistants treat dogs and people with respect. No one is made to feel put on the spot or bullied.

•The overall tone of the class is upbeat and positive.

•The trainer offers time to answer questions, either in class or by email or phone.

•There is a good instructor-to-student-ratio, such as one trainer per eight students. If there is one trainer for twenty students, this is not ideal unless there are qualified assistants helping with the class.

•The dogs and owners are clearly enjoying the class.

Safety

The class appears to be safe, with plenty of room for each dog. The trainer quickly responds to any dog showing reactivity. This doesn’t mean that the trainer punishes the dog. Most dogs that growl or lunge in a group class are actually afraid, and yelling at that dog will not help the situation. Instead, if the reactivity is mild, the trainer should either put up a barrier around that dog to prevent it from seeing the other dogs and people or, if the dog is acting very aggressively, remove that dog from the class.

No Guarantees

The trainer does not offer guarantees. This may seem strange at first, as most everything comes with a guarantee these days! You are not purchasing an appliance, however. It is against the codes of ethics of several noted dog-trainer associations and organizations for trainers to offer guarantees for your dog’s behavior. This is because the trainer won’t be living with you, can’t make you do the homework necessary for success, and cannot control your home environment. It is unethical for a trainer to guarantee training results because much of your puppy’s success will be up to you.

Also, the trainer should have business liability insurance.

Find a Trainer or Behaviorist

Here is some online help for finding a trainer or behaviorist:

•American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB) : www.dacvb.org

•Animal Behavior Society - Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists (CAAB): www.animalbehavior.org

•Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT): http://apdt.com

•Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT): http://ccpdt.org

•Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partners: www.karenpryoracademy.com

•National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI): www.nadoi.org

Training Clubs

Training clubs are another place where you can find group classes for your puppy. These are clubs sanctioned by organizations such as the American Kennel Club (AKC). Their focus is on holding trials in which dogs compete to earn ribbons and titles in agility, Rally, and obedience. If you would like to pursue these activities, training clubs can be good places to learn from those who already compete.

Keep in mind that many of the instructors in training clubs are volunteers, and they may not meet the criteria you are looking for in a trainer. Keep your standards high and make sure that they use modern, scientific methods. You may want to enlist a professional trainer to help you and your puppy get started and then take additional classes at a training club that focus more on your competitive goals.

Choosing Private Lessons

There are many reasons why some prefer private lessons to group classes. It may be that your schedule doesn’t match that of a class, or the location of the class is inconvenient for you. You may just personally prefer private instruction over a group class. If your dog is very shy, a group class may be overwhelming. Certainly, if your dog is reactive toward other dogs, he should not be in a group class. You should instead pursue private lessons to address his reactivity.

In choosing a trainer for private lessons, apply the same criteria as you would for a trainer who teaches group classes. The main difference is that you can’t observe a private lesson as you would a group class. It would not be appropriate for a trainer to allow you to accompany him or her to someone’s home.

Trainers who offer private lessons should offer professional contracts that clearly outline his or her responsibilities and yours. Always review contracts before signing, and keep a copy for your records.

Daytraining and Board & Train Options

If you prefer that a trainer does most of the work in training your dog, there are also daytraining and board & train options. Many people make the mistake, however, of thinking that the trainer does all of the work, and that when your dog is turned over to you, he will be completely trained without your having to do a thing. Not true! If a trainer trains your dog, you will need to attend transfer sessions so that the trainer can teach you how to work with your dog, and so your dog learns to listen and respond when you give the cues. Otherwise, your dog will learn to listen to just the trainer. There are usually several transfer sessions after a daytraining or board & train program—you will not be able to accomplish everything in just one session.

In daytraining, a trainer comes to your home and works with your dog. In board & train options, you send your dog to the trainer for training, normally for a few weeks.

Apply the same criteria to choosing a trainer. This is especially important for board & train programs, as you will not be there to supervise how your dog is treated. Be wary of trainers who promise “boot camps.” Ask specific questions about what techniques the trainer will use to ensure that the trainer is not resorting to shock collars or other punitive methods. Ask how many dogs the trainer works with at one time, and what living arrangement your puppy will have. For example, will he live in a house with the trainer or in a kennel? How many hours a day will he be kenneled? Ask for references and check them.

With board & train, you send your dog to the trainer for a few weeks.