Should You Train Your Dog Yourself or Hire A Dog Trainer?

Whether you have a new puppy that has had no training or a more mature dog who needs a training “refresher” course,  you’ll need to make the decision of who will be doing the training…will it be you or will it be a professional?

If you are going to be the one teaching the behaviors, these are a few of the things you’ll need:

• You will need plenty of dedicated time
• You will need an idea of how you’re going to be training, some type of method
• You will need plenty of patience
• You will need consistency, not only with how you train, but everyone in your household that participates will need to use the same method

Training your dog is a big responsibility, because it comes down to the fact that you are ultimately responsible for any good or bad that involves him. A well-trained dog means you’ll have peace of mind knowing he has good behavior habits, you will be able to control his behaviors better, and people who come around him/her will enjoy him rather than fear or dread seeing him.

Benefits of hiring a professional dog trainer…

1. Training – Most likely, you haven’t had any, but a professional, not only has a great deal of experience with all types of dogs and has understanding of behaviors, but they have been trained themselves.
   1. When you hire a dog trainer, be sure to ask about their methods and where they received their training.
2. Training Methods – There are different methods used by professionals that they have found to be effective, so they are consistent in their approach, and will have a training plan in place.
3. Recognize Behavioral Problems – Even young dogs can have little quirks that if not corrected when they are young, can turn into behavioral problems. A seasoned trainer can recognize and help correct these quirks.
4. Helps Build Relationships – One of the really great things that comes from having a well-trained pup is that the trainer will help you build or strengthen the bond between you and Fido. As they work with both of you together, they will help you both learn and communicate better.
5. A Great Resource – There may come a time when you could use some advice about your dog’s behavior, and your professional will be a great resource in figuring out solutions, and they will already know your dog!
6. Great Tools – Along with having the knowledge to train your dog, a professional will have valuable  information on such products as crates, halters, car restraints, food, toys and other things for your pup.

As a dog trainer, my training techniques are based around teaching them correct behaviors with positive reinforcement and one simple question:

What do you want and expect from your dog?

I believe that the most effective method of dog training revolves around teaching your dog what you want them to do, how to behave, how to act in their environment, and what appropriate behaviors are, under given circumstances and situations.

If you’re having a difficult time training your dog, don’t have the time to train him properly, or you would like to learn along with your pup, Contact me or check out my family friendly classes.