Your young manpuppy already needs to learn some basic rules? Your five-year-old Terrier growls when you try to get him off the couch? You need a dog trainer! A dream job for many dog ​​lovers. By reading this article you will learn what training consists of and receive some tips on how to find a good dog trainer!

Summary

1. Who can call themselves a dog trainer?
2. Dog trainer duties
3. How to recognize a good dog trainer? Some tips
4. Would you like to become a dog trainer?

1- Who can call themselves a dog trainer?

• Legislation on Dog Training Profession in Italy
  

  Currently, in Italy, there is no legislation dedicated to the profession of dog trainer, which therefore falls within the scope of unregulated professions – such as consultancy and coaching activities – not organized into orders, colleges, or registers, mainly regulated by Law no. 4/2013.

• Experience and Training of Dog Trainers
  

  This does not mean, however, that existing dog trainers proclaim themselves experts without solid training, on the contrary! Most trainers not only have a lot of experience in the field but have also completed a corresponding training course. Here they have learned the basics of how humans and dogs live together, the nature of dogs, and the various learning theories.

• Associations and Organizations for Dog Trainer Education
  

  Several associations and organizations recognized throughout the country are responsible for adequately training those who want to try their hand at this profession. The most well-known and authoritative organization is certainly the National Organization of Italian Dog Training (ENCI), which for years has organized training courses for trainers of companion dogs, hunting dogs, sheepdogs, etc., and which has also established the Register of Dog Trainers. But throughout the country, there are many training schools for this profession.

  [blockquote align=”none” author=”— Unknown”]“A great dog trainer doesn’t just train the dog; they teach the owner how to communicate with their best friend.”
  [/blockquote]

• Content of Dog Training Courses
  

  During these courses, structured in several hundred hours of theoretical and practical lessons, participants learn the essential notions of breeding, genetics, learning, and problematic behavior, as well as the practical work of a dog trainer. When you choose a school for your dog, it is worth looking at the training of the trainers. We advise you not to trust those who have attended a course of just one weekend.

2- Dog trainer duties

Trainer’s Role in Human-Dog Communication

• Interpret and Improve Communication Between Human and Dog
  • Puppy Playgroup Guidance
  • Controlled Meetings
  • Expertise in Human-Dog Team Activities
  • Answering Questions About Dog Education

Training Techniques

• Intensive Recall Courses
• Leash Management
• Social Walks: Walks Outside with Human-Dog Teams, Small Exercises During Walks
• Dog Sports: Dog Tricks, Obedience, Agility, Mantrailing

3- How to recognize a good dog trainer? Some tips

Especially if you are new to dog training, it is important to find a trainer that you and your furry friend feel comfortable with. Here are some tips on how to recognize a good dog trainer.

– Background: a serious education

Check what kind of education the trainer has received. Having attended a training course organized by a serious and recognized canine association , for example one of those already mentioned, is certainly a guarantee of quality.

Although there is no official register, the main professional associations have established registers of qualified dog trainers that can be easily consulted online.

– Always up to date: continuous training

A dog trainer should regularly attend refresher courses not only ondog training in general, but also on new findings from behavioral research . In this way, his spectrum of skills will be broader, to the benefit of customers. “The dog’s predatory instinct”, “Focus:dogs suitable for children “, “Aggressive behavior , “Dogs from shelters abroad,” “Cognitive ethology,” “Sniffing activities”: these are just some of the possible topics of the refresher courses that a dog trainer who loves to continue learning attends within a year.

– Getting to know each other: a test drive is allowed

Is a puppy coming to your home and are you looking for a suitable dog school? A good dog trainer will be available to meet you for a no-obligation interview or will let you attend a puppy school session , obviously free of charge, but without your puppy. This way you can see if the training style is right for you and your new furry friend.

– Positive reinforcement

A good trainer works using the positive reinforcement method: this is important to keep the dog motivated! Scolding him by yelling, rolling him over on his back and similar ” dominant attitudes ” are taboo . Many trainers work usingsnacks or biscuits as a quick and effective reward. Thanks to positive reinforcement, your furry friend learns to trust you and enjoys training together. A bad dog school is recognizable by brutal methods, theories about the dog’s “submission” and statements such as “The dogs will solve the issue between themselves!

– Recognize the limits and observe carefully

A dog trainer cannot have an instant solution to every problem. Sometimes you have to ask a lot of questions and take your time. Even then, it is not a given that your Fido will become well-mannered right away. When a problem arises, a good dog trainer does not look for a standard solution . If your furry friend barks a lot, he will ask you: “How often is your dog left alone?” “How do you react when he barks?” Recognizing the real cause of the problem usually takes longer than short-term solutions. But it is the only way to solve the root of the problem with a lasting effect.

The trainer shows you the path you can take to restore balance in your relationship with your furry friend. However, if you have any doubts, consider that it may be better to look for a new home for your dog. For example, if you are unable to dedicate the necessary time to his education.

– Advised?

When looking for a trainer, feedback from other customers is very important . However, you should always consider whether your expectations are the same as those who recommended them to you. Take a look online to see if there are reviews . Try to interpret even the negative ones critically: unfortunately, some people react with negative reviews when a trainer points out that their dog’s behavioral problems are due to shortcomings in the way he is raised.

5- Would you like to become a dog trainer?

Do you love dogs and want to turn your hobby into a profession? This is an important requirement, but not necessarily the only one. A trainer must be able to connect with those on the other end of the leash , that is, with the humans they refer to. If you work by always pointing the finger at them, not only will you damage your business, but you will also not help those who have turned to you, who will then quickly look for another trainer or lose motivation. If you want to become a dog trainer, in addition to knowing how to deal with your four-legged friends in a safe and affectionate way, you must also be good with people . This is one of the most important success factors for earning a living as a dog trainer.

Of course, none of this is enough if you don’t have the necessary specialist skills! Not even if your Fido is well-behaved or if you have managed to accustom your mother-in-law’s Dachshund not to bite your slippers. It is necessary to acquire serious specialist training. Theoretical knowledge helps to understand dog behavior. Only then will it be possible to find tailor-made solutions for individual problems. Therefore, make sure you have good professional training and a certificate recognized by the major dog associations . As a dog trainer, you can work on your own or at dog schools or shelters.