20/06/2022
Sadly, as dog training is an unregulated industry, anyone can call themselves a trainer, or even a 'behaviourist'. No experience, no qualifications, they don't even need to have met a dog before.
It's so important that we advocate for our dog's safety and well-being, making sure that we aren't putting them through harmful/traumatising experiences. Don't trust someone just because they say they are a trainer, ask them their methods, ask what experience they have, ask them as many questions as you see fit to ensure they aren't another 'cowboy'.
If at any point you see your dog is uncomfortable, frightened, or shutting down during a training session, you have not just the right, but an obligation to take your dog out of that situation.
If anyone would like advice or recommendations for dog trainers I will always be happy to help! 💙🐾
Our choice of trainer is important, especially to our dog. This is an email I received today describing someone's experience with another trainer. The person was savvy enough to realise something was wrong and that there must be a different way of doing this. This is what they wrote
"Good morning, I’ve contacted you in the past regarding my reactive dog (the dog is young). It became so bad a couple of weeks ago so I booked in with a local trainer to see if they could help. We went for an hour training session & they spoke about tools that they would need to use on him! The tool was a slip lead but if that didn’t work it would be something else. My dog is really good on the lead (I use a harness) never pulls unless he sees other dogs or cats! The slip lead was awful, I’m not sure how it’s helping his reactivity because he just became a scared looking dog wearing it, to begin with she took him & I watched as she said it was normal for the dog to fight against the slip lead, it was horrible to watch. I think my dog left there more traumatised than when we started, I was told I’d over socialised him as a pup,. I felt sick that I’d paid a fair sum for the one hour session, it’s a lot of money to pay & not feel that I gained anything from it.
I just want to be able to walk my boy on the lead & see other dogs & we can walk by with no problem and not have to choke him half to death in the process.
Looking for advice/help"
We strive to be the most positive, least aversive trainers that we can be. We will never use a prong collar, slip lead, e-collar or choke chain on your dog and have not done so for over 15 years. If your trainer's first choice is to put one of these tools on your dog, they are not a "balanced" trainer. They are an aversive trainer. Their first choice is to out a tool on your dog which causes your dog pain/annoyance/discomfort which your dog works to escape/avoid. Please do not use any trainer who uses them. If you are a professional trainer, don't give your yearly dues to any organisation who uses, promotes, endorses or excuses these tool. There are several organisations now who pretend to promote positive training but excuse they use of these tools and methods. Don't give them your money or your time.
If you'd like to learn more about effective positive training which doesn't rely on or use these tools, our affordable monthly membership will help hugely. Comment for details.
Love and peace.
