Help, I need somebody!

You realize your dog needs a job, and you want him to be happy, balanced, and obedient. So you start looking around for help. There is so much information out there! Television, the Internet, books, friends, and your veterinarian all say something different. Believe me, I have seen your overwhelmed feelings and felt them myself. It is one of the reasons I became a dog trainer.
          Obviously, I am a fan of the written word, but when it comes to learning how to train your dog, we can only write generalizations, and your dog is as unique as you are. Books probably can’t address your specific relationship. Once you and your dog have some fundamentals, by all means go for it. There are a lot of wonderful authors that can teach us something.
          Folks also turn to their veterinarians with behavior problems. Doctors do know a lot. The really smart ones, however, know that dog/owner dynamics probably isn’t their strongest area of knowledge.
          That leads us to dog trainers. Some think it is a sin to charge a fee, others see it as a professional calling. Some will say only those who show in the obedience ring are legitimate, or the only way to properly train a dog is to do it yourself. Some train like drill sergeants, others don’t want the dog to be the least bit uncomfortable. It goes on and on.
          So how do you proceed? Choosing a trainer is like choosing a therapist, a doctor, or a church. You have to find what makes sense to you. You may not find the right fit the first time out. The most important characteristic is someone you can communicate with. If what she is saying doesn’t make sense, don’t assume you are stupid. We trainers need to be able to speak “people” as well as “dog.” If you are interested in the whys, ask. You can learn a lot about the depth of someone's knowledge right away.
          Second, look at whether his program is going to fit your needs. Classes may work for some dog personalities, certainly not all. Individual training may not offer the socialization you need. Can he offer help with specific behavior problems you need addressed?
            Good trainers are confident but adaptable. Some techniques and tools work on some dogs, some not. Training has to flex according to the dog. Make sure you understand the long-range plan—what you and your dog will be learning and why.
          Observe the trainer in action. Are you comfortable with how she handles a dog? Can you meet her dog? If you don’t like her dog’s behavior, chances are you won’t be happy with the results of your own.
            Professionalism goes a long way. Good trainers care about their clients. They shouldn’t need to tear another trainer’s philosophies apart. The real goal is to figure out how to communicate effectively with both dogs and their people, not how to be right.
          Above all, keep at it. You will learn something from everyone you work with, and you are both worth it!

Cynthia Bowen-Angevine runs Citizen Canine, a dog-training service in the East Mountains. Contact her at citizencanine@aol.com