Top Ten Qualities of an Educated Humane Dog Trainer

These are the top ten qualties of an educated humane dog trainer

1. Is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer or a Certified Behavior Consultant through an organization like the Pet Professional Guild, Jean Donaldson’s Academy, The Karen Pryor Academy, the Certification Council for Professiona Dog Trainers, or the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.
2. Takes seminars as continuing education, to stay current in the field of dog training.
3. Trains using positive reinforcement, and sets the dog up for success, not failure. (Beware of “balanced trainers”, who use positive reinforcement until they run out of ideas. Remember: Violence begins where knowledge ends.)
4. Understands that not all breeds of dogs are the same in what they were selectively bred to do.
5. Understands natural and normal dog behavior and has realistic expectations for dogs as another species living in a human world.
6. Does not guarantee results. There are no guarantees in behavior. Dogs are creatures of free will and choice, just like human beings are. Dogs will repeat behaviors that are reinforced and avoid behaviors that result in consequences that are not beneficial to them. Dog behavior is not programmable like a computer. However, it can be modified with a knowledge of behavioral science.
7. Views your relationship with your dog as one of mutual trust and respect. Dogs have co-evolved with humans to become members of the family. A humane, educated dog trainer recognizes that dogs have emotions and deserve to be treated with respect.
8. Lists dog training role models like Jean Donaldson, Dr. Ian Dunbar, Pat Miller, Karen Pryor, Leslie McDevitt, Victoria Stillwell, and Grisha Stewart, just to name a few.
9. Uses knowledge and compassion to guide dog training advice. Understands that dog training is really a field about working with people and modifying behavior in both people and dogs.
10. Knows when to refer to a veterinary behaviorist. There are some problems that need to be addressed by a professional with a DVM/ PhD. A good trainer knows when to refer.