 |
(9 of
14)
Guidelines for Finding a Good Dog Trainer
from the American Humane Association
contributed by Suzanne Hetts, PhD, certified applied
animal behaviorist
- Look for trainers who use positive reinforcement for good behavior rather than punishment for
unacceptable behavior.
- Observe an obedience class without your pet. Are the animals and people having a good time?
Talk with some participants after the class. If someone won't let you sit in on a class,
don't enroll.
- Don't' allow trainers to work your dog unless they tell you beforehand exactly what they plan
to do.
- Don't be afraid to tell a trainer to stop if she or he is doing something to your dog
you don't feel comfortable with.
- If a trainer tells you to do something you don't feel good about, don't do it.
Don't be intimated, bullied, or shamed into doing something that you believe is not in
your dog's best interest.
- Avoid trainers that offer guarantees. That trainer is either ignoring or doesn't understand
the complexity of animal behavior.
- Avoid trainers who object to using food as a training reward. Food is an acceptable positive
reinforcement training tool.
- Avoid trainers who won't let you use any training collar other than a choke chain.
Head collars are humane alternative to chose chains and pinch collars.
- If you believe your dog has been subjected to cruel treatment by a trainer, get the names and
phone numbers of witnesses. Take your dog to the veterinarian immediately for a complete physical.
Tell them that the results of the exam may be used as evidence in a court case so that they will
document the procedures with that in mind.
- If you witness a cruelty, don't be afraid to file charges. Talk to your local humane officers
or animal control officers about what you saw. They can help determine if abuse occurred and what
next steps should be taken.
|
