09/03/2025
How do you know if you're an effective board and train dog trainer? Making dramatic before/after video isn't a sign, that is often just a lot of behavior suppression. Showing all the things the dog will do for you in a training environment isn't a sign either.
If the dog you trained dies of old age and the owner was happy with it's behavior - to the extent that they want first of all to send you their next dog you were effective. If they describe living with the dog as a joy not a burden you were effective. If the behavior interventions you taught were real and LONG LASTING you were effective. If they send their friends and family to you you were effective. If their vet starts sending you people based on the changes they saw in the dog you were effective. If people who meet dogs you trained contact you to train their dogs you were effective.
As I near my 20th year in business, about 90% of my clients are returning clients with new dogs, friends of current clients, people who met a dog I trained, or people sent to me by their vet (who I have never met :P).
The board and train business is a scary place with a lot of sketchy actors. Do your homework if you are in the market. After all you're sending your best friend to them...