Hiring the right dog trainer to help you train your new puppy, rescue dog, or adult dog can be a grueling experience. Each trainer might have different opinions on the best methods to use for dog training and behavior modification. In addition, the rates for each trainer can vary significantly from one trainer to the next. For the context of this article, I am only referring to in-home private dog trainers, not classes or lessons done at a facility such as board and train.
How do you know who to trust? How do you know who can get the results you want? How do you know you and your dog will like the trainer?
These are great questions to contemplate. I will provide tips to help you easily select the best dog trainer. You might be surprised by my recommendation, and this is my opinion based on over 40 years in the customer service industry and owning multiple businesses.
PROFESSIONALISM
Does the dog trainer sound professional on the phone and conduct themselves like a pro during conversation? If the trainer does not have phone conversations to build rapport and ask questions, I would not even consider them. You can’t possibly get a good idea about somebody through text messages and email. Have a phone conversation first, and go from there. Find someone who is professional, clean-cut, and dependable.
PERSONALITY
Do you like the dog trainer when talking to them on the phone? Do they seem like someone you want coaching you on how to raise your puppy or dog? Most of the dog training is actually human training. You are the one being trained, along with the dog, so make sure the dog trainer's personality matches your own. The last thing you want is a dog trainer you can’t stand to be around.
EXPERIENCE
Look for someone who has been training dogs for a long time and owns well-behaved dogs. Watch their videos on social media, read their books and articles, and observe how they interact with people and dogs.
REPUTATION
Find a dog trainer with an excellent reputation in the community. Someone that people continually refer to other people and rave about online. What is the reputation of the dog trainer you’re looking to hire? How many 5-star reviews do they have on Google, Yelp, and Facebook?
PRICE
Price is only one component of the overall decision-making of who to hire. The dog trainers who charge more have more experience and less availability. It’s the law of supply and demand. The less experienced, new dog trainers will likely charge less than their competitors but may not be able to produce great results. The rates of the dog trainer are equal to the amount of professional and practical experience as a dog trainer.
CONCLUSION
In review, finding the right dog trainer is a lot of work. Trust your initial instincts when you talk to them on the phone. Make sure they ask you a lot of questions. Visit their website and make sure it's easy to navigate, professional, and informative. Look for photos and videos of the trainer talking to you and training dogs. The website is an extension of the dog trainers’ personality and professionalism.