|
Find a Dog Trainer in Your Neighborhood
Congratulations
on coming to this site to get
professional help in training your dog!
Only about 10 percent of dog owners/guardians care enough
about their dogs to get help in training them. Many people
either live (very unhappily) with a dog with problem behaviors,
get rid of the dog, or euthanize their dog. It's so sad
because many times fixing whatever is bothering them is
very simple and easy.
Training your dog, whether it’s a puppy or adult dog, is
important because if he is trained, chances are much greater that he
will stay in your house for his entire life because he is a pleasure
to live with. Many, but
not all, dogs that are surrendered to humane associations or
shelters have behavior problems that no one wanted to deal with, and
it was just easier to get rid of the dog rather than to train
him. That’s a shame
because training is really easy and enjoyable – and the results
speak for themselves.
Training teaches
him how you want him to behave, it increases the bond between the
two of you, and it’s just plain fun. It doesn’t happen by
sprinkling magic “training dust” over your dog. It involves spending time with him
so you both are communicating on the same wavelength – canines and
humans communicate differently, and a good trainer works with you as
well as your dog by showing both of you how to understand each
other. And many times, it's a lot easier than you
imagine.
Here are some things to think about.
Why do you want to train your
dog?
-
prevent problem behavior from starting
-
eliminate an existing problem behavior
-
train for a specific dog sport or
activity
-
make your dog easier to live with
-
train your dog to do what you want
-
all of the above
-
or something entirely
different!!!
Return to
top
Who is the best trainer for your
dog?
You
are. You know more than you think you
know. You are the one that spends the most time with
him. You are the one
that he has bonded with.
Your dog has studied your every move and knows what you are
going to do probably before you do it. Your dog in most situations
tells you what he is going to do before he does it. Can you read those
signs? How do you
communicate with him so that he does what you want? That's where working with the right
trainer is key.
In some instances, it may
be to everyone's benefit to have a trainer train your dog. In
that case, be sure that the trainer trains you as
well. It's a bit embarrassing if your dog knows more than you
do -- and he is trained and you aren't!!!
Return to
top
Why do dogs act the way they
do?
There are three influences on
any dog’s behavior: genetics, the environment,
and the owner/guardian.
Trainers can’t do anything about genetics -- the natural
instincts and temperament your dog was born with -- but they
can influence the dog’s environment and you, the
owner/guardian. In other
words, they can change how you and your dog behave or
act in a given situation.
The second area of influence is you as the
owner/guardian.
Training is proactive: you are taking the
initiative and showing your dog how you want him to
behave in a given situation.
If all you are doing is punishing your dog for behaving a
certain way, then you are being reactive to your dog. If punishment
is effective, it should take only two or three times to
work. If you are repeatedly punishing your dog for the same
thing, then it's not working! You are only dealing with a
symptom and not
the actual reason for the
behavior. Your goal is
to change your dog’s behavior so he will act differently the
next time he is faced with the same situation.
The third area is the
environment. Sometimes, changing the environment
is all that is needed to change your dog's behavior.
A
good trainer will explain to you how these factors impact your dog's
behavior and training and know how to tailor his or her training to
you and your dog.
Return to
top
How do I find a good
trainer?
Well, you've certainly come to the right
place!!!
A
good trainer should lead you down another path of thinking and give
you a model of what to do and how
to do it.
It’s similar to the old saying that if you give a hungry man
a fish, then you have given him his dinner. If you teach him how to
fish, then you show him how never to be hungry again. If
a trainer trains your dog and not you, then you may have a difficult
time trying to get the same behavior from your dog as the trainer
does.
So
specifically, how can you find a good trainer? There are about a gazillion
ways to train a dog to do the same behavior. There are about a gazillion
different personalities of dogs and people. The solution is to find the
right method with the right trainer for you and your dog. And again, you're in the right
place. Here are some tips on Choosing a Dog
Trainer.
Visit our trainers'
Websites. Read the Articles to learn more about their
philosophies and how they think.
Please give us
feedback. We welcome your comments.
Return to
top
Here are some additional Training
Tips and things to think about that may help
you.
Remember, changing habits
does not happen overnight.
Give yourself and your dog a chance.
Dog Trainers:
Add Your Listing and
increase your business!
Do you have
a dog-related product or service
that you would like to
advertise?
You may have the
greatest product in the world, but unless you advertise, nobody
knows about it. See how you can Advertise Your Product or
Service with our reasonable
rates!
This Web site is
a list of trainers who have submitted their names to be included
here. There are no warranties or guarantees about
the trainers, methods used, or the quality of
instruction. It is up to each dog owner/guardian to do his own
research and interview each trainer. Dog Trainers Directory is
not responsible and cannot be held liable for any of the actions or
omissions of any trainer listed on this
site.
Return to
top
| 
