How to choose a dog trainer or behaviourist

The world of dog training and behaviour is largely unregulated, although there are industry standards set out by the Animal Behaviour and Training Council http://www.abtcouncil.org.uk/setting-standards.html.Few people are aware, but all dog owners have legal obligations regarding the training of their pet as set out in the dog code of practice that accompanies the Animal Welfare Act 2006 –https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/69390/pb13333-cop-dogs-091204.pdf.This document states that "All dogs should be trained to behave well,ideally from a very young age. Only use positive reward-based training. Avoid harsh, potentially painful or frightening training methods".

Without some serious homework and a trusted person in the know to guide you, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the various acronyms associated with the dog training and behaviour sector. This can lead to wasted time,money and potentially detrimental impacts to the behaviour and welfare of your dog if you end up in the hands of a 'professional' that uses outdated, aversive techniques to train or 'solve' behaviour problems.

Whilst every dog owner does not need to become an expert in the world of dog training and behaviour, they do need to know who to trust and I hope that this article gives dog owners out there some confidence in finding an experienced professional that uses reward-based methods and will help you to train your dog in a safe,ethical way using modern, science-based techniques. If you want to know whether to trust me (!) check out the 'About me' file in the notes section of my facebook page.

So here are some key questions to ask when looking into employing the services of a dog behaviour or training professional:

Do they have any Qualifications in animal behaviour?
Some of the most knowledgeable trainers and behaviourists that I know do not have degrees, but anyone that takes their profession seriously will have affiliated themselves to an organisation that is in line with their ethics or undertaken a range of training or seminars with reputable trainers/organisations (see below). The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors has a comprehensive list of accredited academic courses in the UK on their website http://www.apbc.org.uk/info/training_courses and individuals with higher level qualifications may display letters after their name; PhD, MSc, PGDip, BSc

Do they have an accreditation or affiliation to a professional organisation?
There are a number of organisations that have set their own membership criteria and invite professionals to join for an annual fee. Being a member of these organisations allows the individual to be part of a network of like-minded trainers and behaviourists that adhere to particular codes of practice and do not advocate the use of aversive methods.

Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors - http://www.apbc.org.uk/
Association of Pet Dog Trainers - http://www.apdt.co.uk/
Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour –http://asab.nottingham.ac.uk/accred/index.php
Centre of Applied Pet Ethology - http://www.coape.co.uk/
Karen Pryor Academy - https://www.karenpryoracademy.com/
Jean Donaldson Academy - http://www.academyfordogtrainers.com/
Pet Professional Guild - http://www.petprofessionalguild.com/
Institute of Modern Dog Trainers - http://www.imdt.uk.com/
UK Registry of Canine Behaviourists - http://www.ukrcb.org/

What does their website say?
A flashy website with some nice images can be an extremely effective marketing tool and portray a certain image about the professionalism of the company. However, websites are very easy to build and are not necessarily a reflection of the person behind the pages. What does the website actually state? What websites do they link to? Do they refer to 'pack leaders' or dominance (as this should ring alarm bells - see here)? Read between the lines and don't be drawn in by the look of the site.

What methods do they use?
Do they specifically state which methods they use and which methods they don't use? If not, ask them! The APDT has an extensive list of training equipment and techniques that all members must not use and this is a good guide of what to avoid from other professionalshttp://www.apdt.co.uk/about

What are their classes like?
If you are thinking of enrolling in a training class, ask if you can go along to watch without your dog. Most trainers and behaviourists will be very keen that you're taking your dog's training so seriously and it is much easier to walk away from a situation you are unhappy with when you don't have your dog there too. Watch the dogs in class, do they look relaxed? If they are being vocal or look stressed, has the instructor noticed and have they taken steps to manage the situation? What methods are they using? Is the class well managed or chaotic? How many dogs are there per instructor?

The collaboration of force-free, reward-based trainers and behaviourists is key if we are to educate dog owners about the merits of positive reinforcement . We need to inspire the public and encourage them to vote with their wallets by not employing the services of trainers and behaviourists that use outdated, aversive methods. We need to apply the advice that we give to our clients and set new dog owners up to succeed by providing them with the tools and knowledge they require to make an informed decision about the professionals they employ to help them with their dog.