29/06/2024
This ๐
๐ฉRED FLAGS๐ฉ
Yikes, lately I have seen so many ads for dog training services, tools, and courses that make me absolutely cringe. If you didn't know, dog training and dog behaviour consultancy is UNregulated. So although there are certifying bodies out there that offer some assurance, there are a huge array of competency levels and anyone can "set up shop" and call themselves whatever they want (professional, expert, behaviourist...) even with no education, experience, or humane practice.
That puts a lot of the honus on canine caregivers to find someone who is, indeed, professional, knowledgeable, and skilled. And without the RED SEAL of approval by one large overseeing body who test and police their members, it can feel like wading through sludge for the few gold coins at the bottom of the well.
Here are my RED FLAGS (things that should make you think twice):
๐ซ The person is offering a "fix." Dogs are living, reacting, emotional animals like you and me. They do not need fixing, they need to learn skills, feel safe, be set up to succeed, and learn alternative ways of behaving.
๐ซ Ad offers guarentees. Nope, impossible. Behaviours can be managed. We can improve the environment. We can weaken and strengthen the chances of behaviours occuring. We can set the dog up for success. We can strengthen the relationship, increase feelings of trust, help them to feel safe and understood so that they do not feel the need to behave in ways that served them in the past. But we cannot guarentee the behaviour or reaction of another being.
๐ซ The ad says "You will achieve X behaviours in just Y days!" For example, I saw an ad yesterday saying, "Have an obedient dog in just 10 days!" No. Just no.
๐ซ The ad uses dominative terminology, like "obedience" or "command." This is super outdated which makes me question just how outdated their practices might also be.
๐ซ They say they have X years of experience but they don't have certifications. This one is tricky because some people who do not have certifications are great. Some people have certifications but those certifications are pretty terrible. To me, however, education and qualifications are important. So take a moment to read about the certifying organisation from which they received their credentials.
๐ซ They are not transparent about their methods. Lots of people will say they "use positive reinforcement" to train, which they likely do. But what else? What equipment do they use? And how about dealing with unwanted behaviours? What do those strategies look like?
๐ซ Gimmicky type marketing, like, "sign up for this free e-book or this free 7-day challenge!" Teaching dogs is not a challenge, it is about building a great, communicative relationship and it's worth investing in someone who is qualified to give you the right advice.
๐ซ Claiming that the use of "e-collars" to teach a dog a behaviour (another name for shock collars) "does't hurt" or it is "only on vibration" so it's harmless. Even if the setting is low or on vibrate, even if the dog isn't THAT uncomfortable with the stimulation it delivers, this is a good indication that this person doesn't understand learning science properly which is concerning. These tools are literally designed to work as negative reinforcement or positive punishment (both requiring an unpleasant or aversive stimulus). At best, it doesn't work, at worst, well...
Ask around, check websites and socials to view pictures, (what are the dogs wearing for equipment, and what is their body language saying), check credentials and visit the websites of those credentialling organisations, sit in on a class, and ask questions.
You will be happy you did and so will your dog!
