Going Pro: Preparing Your Pup and Yourself for Expert Trainers

Choosing the professional trainer that's best for you is one of those things that the more you know, the harder it will be.

- By Alec Sparks

I honestly wish I could say you're safe to just pick a trainer and your dog will undoubtedly have a great training experience, and you will receive the dog back that you want. Dog training is an unregulated business, and even in regulated businesses, we all know there are a wide variety of good and bad “professionals” available. My best advice is probably somewhat unrealistic but that would be to spend a significant amount of time with the professional trainer of your choice to see how dogs are actually trained. Some people just want certain exposure, and others want skills training: Know what you're looking for.

Trainers can blow smoke for a demonstration, a day or two and maybe even a week, but if you spend a significant amount of time around them, you will have more insight into how they actually train dogs.