Training  your dog
Help to choose a qualified, experienced person
to teach you how to train and enjoy your dog

CHECK YES NO
Experience Does your trainer have experience with working and/or competing with dogs or with rehabilitating rescued dogs? Excellent: Rescued dogs need patience, understanding and an ability to think of solutions to sometimes deep-rooted behaviour Working dogs such as sheepdogs, gundogs and search dogs work free, but their handler retains control over a long distance, this is the highest level of dog training. Dog competitions where dogs are under close control but are still off lead include agility, working trials and flyball. Showing and canicross requires a measure of obedience but the dog is on a lead or long harness Take care: Pet Dogs Only They may not know: How versatile and intelligent, even manipulative, a dog can be. How to train and understand this truly remarkable animal. Grooming, Kennels and Veterinary Will have taught them to physically control dogs and treat them appropriately, but not how to teach them or you, the owner.
Are their references good? Real people are better sources than social media Local vets, pet shops, rescues, groomers and kennels will often give unbiased information. Other trainers may not be so reliable since they are often competing for their own businesses If no one recommends them Or if there has been some dog-related incident that has genuinely occurred Go somewhere else.
Methods Positive and encouraging training given to both you and your dog. Free running encouraged and taught. Dog is taught self-control by praise and reward, rather than being forced to obey. Physical punishment of the dog. Forcing the dog into any action using equipment. Use of electric collars (which are illegal in many countries). Lead only training, no free running allowed. Go somewhere else.
Qualifications Take a close look at whether the qualifications are actually related to training a dog and teaching people (See details on the next page) 30 years ago, qualifications were not common, with most people relying on experience and recommendation Now qualifications are available and common, but they do not beat experience

PHONE AND EMAIL
Can we work together?

CHECK YES NO
Communication and teaching abilityDoes your prospective trainer make the effort to communicate with you? Do they listen to you? Do they ask appropriate questions to understand the problem and our family circumstances? Do they convey information in a way that is clear and understandable? Do they make suggestions to alleviate the problem immediately, and free of charge? That's fine Go somewhere else If they use words that are difficult to understand or talk all the time without listening, they will not be a good teacher.
Commitment If they say they will ring you back, or email you, do they do so? Tick the box! Go somewhere else
Clear terms and payment Is it clear to you what you will pay and what you can hope to achieve? That's good Go somewhere else
Honesty Do they tell you that the training will take time and effort on your part? Do they tell you if they think the behaviour can be managed, rather than solved? Are they boastful (I was the first ...; I've won all these prizes)? Sound's good Go somewhere else, no one can solve everything
Follow up Do they offer a follow-up service, with support when you need it? Yes! Be careful

QUALIFICATIONS

Useful or confusing?
Let’s understand them

LEVEL RELEVANCE TECH STUFF/LEVEL DETAILS
MsC – e.g. in Animal Welfare and Behaviour To some extent, but are often not exclusively canine (dog) related NFQ Level 9 QCF/OCN Level 7 EQF Level 7
BsC – e.g. in Applied Animal Behaviour To some extent, but are often not exclusively canine (dog) related NFQ Level 7 or (hons) NFQ Level 8 QCF/OCN Level 6 EQF Level 6
Associate/Foundation Degree and Advanced Diploma Levels (e.g. Canine Behaviour Management/ Companion Animal Behaviour and Training) Can legitimately call themselves: ‘Canine Behaviour Specialist’ Yes, exclusively canine related NFQ Level 6 QCF/OCN Level 5 EQF Level 5
CBTT (Canine Behaviour Technician) Yes, exclusively canine related NFQ Level 6 QCF/OCN Level 4 EQF Level 5
Diploma (e.g. Canine aggression, Canine Behaviour and Training) Yes, exclusively canine related NFQ Level 5 QCF/OCN Level 3
Canine First Responder No, this is first aid No available level
Teaching qualifications Yes, but not essential. If you interview your proposed professional, you will know if they can help you
Organizations and Associations Only if they include professionals from a wide variety of backgrounds and educational institutions. Otherwise they are just a means of promoting some private ‘club’. Make sure that there are standards and it’s not just a case of paying to belong.
Prizes and Awards Minimal There is a lot of corruption

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