If you have a dog and don't have the patience, energy or time to train him, you're not alone. This is a task that requires significant effort, especially if you want to have a well-adjusted dog that is happy -- and has a happy owner, too. For some people, this means that they need the services of a professional dog trainer.
As with any service, cost and quality are going to significantly vary. And as with any profession, especially those that involve both human and animal interactions, training philosophies are going to vary, too. There will need to be some parameters for you to select the right trainer for you.
What's your budget? It can depend on where you live, but in some cases, you may be able to get training services for free, often done weekly by volunteers in shelters or parks. Or, you may pay for pricier service, up to $100 or even more per training session. What's a reasonable fee? That will vary, depending on the trainer's experience, where you live, the length of the program itself and the goals you have for your dog.
Take a look at your schedule. Some training programs happen every week, while others happen more often. Some training programs have you leave the dog at the facility, while others will want you to stay and participate in the training. Regardless, though, most trainers will want you to spend some time training your dog every day, either at the trainer's facility or at home.
In some cases, you may want to consider so-called "boot camp" training programs. In that case, your dog will go away to a special facility for quite awhile, up to several weeks. The training the dog receives is intensive, happens over the training period of time, and it happens very regularly, too. However, don't be concerned that this is too hard on dogs. Dogs love this type of treatment. Near the end of this type of training, you, too, will usually have to participate so that the dog's obedience is "transferred" from the trainers to you.
The results of this type of training school can be amazing. Dogs who complete this type of program usually end up eager to follow instructions and very disciplined. This is true even if they're not special service dogs. Even so, these dogs usually don't show signs of frustration or repression. Their moods are bright and they play with energy and gusto.
What are your goals? Do you want your dog to be entered in shows, or do you just want a dog that doesn't chew on your favorite shoes or pick on other pets? Whatever your goals, you'll need to train your dog -- and do so on a regular basis -- to get the results you want. How much training is required will depend on your dog, his age, breed, and temperament.
Take a look at your dog's temperament; for example, is your dog fearful, either because he was mistreated before or just because it's submissive? Or, your dog may be assertive, either because it's been abused previously and has had to fight back, or simply because it wants to be "leader of the pack." The training you choose is going to depend on how you want to influence your dog and the characteristics you want to mold.
Whatever goals you have, and whatever your commitment or budget, you'll want to choose a trainer who has endless energy and patience, and who loves dogs deeply. Most trainers choose their careers precisely because they have these characteristics in great measure.
Beyond these foundational characteristics, you'll also want a trainer who agrees with you in philosophy and whose goals match yours. Some trainers insist that in fact, it's the owner that needs to be trained rather than the dog, and there may be some truth to that. Some trainers are friendly and lenient and seek to "connect" with the dog, while others are more military in their approach. Still other trainers use a mix of both approaches.
Your training style preferences will vary, but regardless, training style is not usually entirely subjective. Even if you have disagreements with your trainer, you'll usually have some areas of agreement, too. Consistency, persistence and patience, as well as your need (as the pack leader) to lead are just a few of these commonly held principles.
When you choose your trainer, ask for friends or family to recommend someone, and don't hesitate to try a few out. It may be that you'll have to change once or twice to find someone who really suits your needs. However, be careful about being too quick to change, and don't just do it casually. Dogs need regular environment and consistency in order to really absorb the training they are being given.
As with any service, cost and quality are going to significantly vary. And as with any profession, especially those that involve both human and animal interactions, training philosophies are going to vary, too. There will need to be some parameters for you to select the right trainer for you.
What's your budget? It can depend on where you live, but in some cases, you may be able to get training services for free, often done weekly by volunteers in shelters or parks. Or, you may pay for pricier service, up to $100 or even more per training session. What's a reasonable fee? That will vary, depending on the trainer's experience, where you live, the length of the program itself and the goals you have for your dog.
Take a look at your schedule. Some training programs happen every week, while others happen more often. Some training programs have you leave the dog at the facility, while others will want you to stay and participate in the training. Regardless, though, most trainers will want you to spend some time training your dog every day, either at the trainer's facility or at home.
In some cases, you may want to consider so-called "boot camp" training programs. In that case, your dog will go away to a special facility for quite awhile, up to several weeks. The training the dog receives is intensive, happens over the training period of time, and it happens very regularly, too. However, don't be concerned that this is too hard on dogs. Dogs love this type of treatment. Near the end of this type of training, you, too, will usually have to participate so that the dog's obedience is "transferred" from the trainers to you.
The results of this type of training school can be amazing. Dogs who complete this type of program usually end up eager to follow instructions and very disciplined. This is true even if they're not special service dogs. Even so, these dogs usually don't show signs of frustration or repression. Their moods are bright and they play with energy and gusto.
What are your goals? Do you want your dog to be entered in shows, or do you just want a dog that doesn't chew on your favorite shoes or pick on other pets? Whatever your goals, you'll need to train your dog -- and do so on a regular basis -- to get the results you want. How much training is required will depend on your dog, his age, breed, and temperament.
Take a look at your dog's temperament; for example, is your dog fearful, either because he was mistreated before or just because it's submissive? Or, your dog may be assertive, either because it's been abused previously and has had to fight back, or simply because it wants to be "leader of the pack." The training you choose is going to depend on how you want to influence your dog and the characteristics you want to mold.
Whatever goals you have, and whatever your commitment or budget, you'll want to choose a trainer who has endless energy and patience, and who loves dogs deeply. Most trainers choose their careers precisely because they have these characteristics in great measure.
Beyond these foundational characteristics, you'll also want a trainer who agrees with you in philosophy and whose goals match yours. Some trainers insist that in fact, it's the owner that needs to be trained rather than the dog, and there may be some truth to that. Some trainers are friendly and lenient and seek to "connect" with the dog, while others are more military in their approach. Still other trainers use a mix of both approaches.
Your training style preferences will vary, but regardless, training style is not usually entirely subjective. Even if you have disagreements with your trainer, you'll usually have some areas of agreement, too. Consistency, persistence and patience, as well as your need (as the pack leader) to lead are just a few of these commonly held principles.
When you choose your trainer, ask for friends or family to recommend someone, and don't hesitate to try a few out. It may be that you'll have to change once or twice to find someone who really suits your needs. However, be careful about being too quick to change, and don't just do it casually. Dogs need regular environment and consistency in order to really absorb the training they are being given.
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