What makers you a trainer? - Page 1

Ok this was sparked off of "what did she do to the puppy? thread I have the first memeory of my first "trainer" I had been training my dogs and rescues dogs for over four years. I wanted to get in to titling my dogs. So when I met this lady, she said that she was a trainer and could help me. GREAT!!! So I first titled all my dog though her with CGC, then me and some friends took her class for our CD title in UKC. Well, we went though the class passed every mock show even took first and second places. So on to the real show. Let me just say this JUST SHORT OF KILLING OUR DOGS AND GETTING KICKED OUT did we realize something This so called trainer had never been in ANY ring and could not get her own dog to off leash! I have been training obedience for over 8 years now and offer obedience classes only. I would never offer ScHH class even though my dog does bite work. I have given classes to new breeders that just bought thier first shepherd from me. They take the CGC Canine Good Citizen class and a couple months later after passing they are "Trainers" giving classes. So what makes you a "a trainer" what experiences do you need? how long? what breeds? I personally think that this is a much needed thread to help people 'LOOKING" for a trainer what to look for? what questions to ask? and how to tell a good trainer from a bad one.

If I were looking for a trainer I would first contact other GSD owners I know and respect asking them for references. It seems to me that many think they are qualified to say they are a dog trainer as soon as they have taught one dog how to heel or platz and/or if they need some extra money. Word of mouth is the best reference, but do not pick a trainer based on what anyone tells you if you do not know that person well. As soon as you appear interested in hiring a trainer, you will be contacted by people on this board offering their services to you. It's the same if you mention you are looking to buy a dog or puppy. Suddenly you have more friends that you ever knew about. As always, buyer beware.

mygsddogs you are right on that! I did not post this to be another bashing thread I think we all have had our fill of it. This is ment to be a learning thread what to look for and questions to ask for someone new to this world (SchH or any dog world) I used a couple experiences of my own (without names or logo) to show what can happen when one is just learning. Blitzen I hear you on that too!! many people think they are trainers and can be really train all dogs. I see a lot of websites that one would think they are a trainers due to how they word things and from the title dogs they buy. But after asking question even simple ones a new person can stay clear of making costly mistakes. Please do not turn this in to a bashing thread Thank you!!!

People will hang a small shingle and annouce that they are a dog trainer. Just go to any Petco or Petsmart during the weekend and you will see this. But I don't think that is really what Barbara is talking about. What makes a trainer? It certainly requires someone who has an interest in dogs as well as an interest in helping dogs and their owners succeed. In my opinion, while one can have some natural ability, one must be trained and certified by a professional organization in order to be a "real" dog trainer. You will notice that in an organization such as the DVG that helpers obtain their training cerification through a lengthy apprenticeship programme with two (2) different levels of achievement. In my opinion the success of the dogs being trained is influenced as much by a well-trained helper as it is by a well-trained handler. And of course this is for working dogs and sport dogs. There are small academies who specialize in training dogs, trainers, and helpers in different regimens from basic obedience to Schutzhund, I.P.O., S.A.R., etc. It is no doubt that attendance and certification at these academies is not cheap. All that said, I agree with Blitzen as far as beginning the search for a decent trainer. Once this person is found, then one must ask the following questions: What are his/her achievements and certifications? How many dogs has he/she certified or titled? Certified and titled in what? Good question, Barbara Bob-O

1. Have they titled dogs to sch 3? 2. Have they competed nationally? 3. Do they have a national or at least regional reputation? 4. Are they brutally honest and not worried about losing your business if they tell you the truth? 5. Do I feel my dog and I are progressing to our goals? I can answer yes to all those questions about the trainer I use. D'man

1. Have they titled dogs to sch 3? 2. Have they competed nationally? 3. Do they have a national or at least regional reputation? 4. Are they brutally honest and not worried about losing your business if they tell you the truth? 5. Do I feel my dog and I are progressing to our goals? I can answer yes to all those questions about the trainer I use. D'man

Bob O- Yes I did look in to Petsmart and I was surprised by how they train thier people a few weeks and you are a trainer. If that was the case then I am a master trainer OOPs lets not go though. any hoot. What are his/her achievements and certifications? How many dogs has he/she certified or titled? Certified and titled in what? These are Great questions to ask (wish I would known that back in the day) Dogman Those are great questions too I really like number 4. Too many people are worried about hurting others feelings when it comes to the answer and will sugar coat it. If I ask the question then I better sit down and hold on tight cause I what the brutally honest answer, ahh it might hurt my feels but I rather know now then invest 100s to 1000s of dollars and be laughed off the field or out of the ring.

What is a trainer? Anyone who can teach/aid another to achieve a certain goal. The operative words are teach and goal. Mr. A is a very dedicated person who has watched read and been around greeat knowledge. Now from this knowledge, he assists/teaches you and your dog how to achieve a goal (SchH) with fairly decent scores. Is Mr. A now a trainer? To the person he helped, he is. To others, maybe not. Plenty a times we do not set acheveable goals for ourselves and our dogs? In all honesty a great percentage of the people I see are not realistic as to their goals. They pay a reduced price for a "pet" quality dog which the breeder has already warned them about the drives, or lack of. They go to a local club and see other dogs track and do obedience work and fly around the blind and decide they want to train their dog. Club trainer and helper tell them that the dog is not capable. They find a "hungry trainer" who promises them heaven and earth; send the dog to the trainer; pay loads of money and no results. Who's fault is that? Now they blame this trainer and the breeder. "If you can successfully help me acheive a goal that I have carefully set, then you are a trainer to me. If you cannot help me achieve that goal, despite having a well capable dog, then what are you to me? Regardless of the fact that you have been to the world team, 500X SchH 3, 400 IPO 3, 300 SVV2 and so on. So what is a trainer?????????

Lets not forget the on-line degree to become a trainer. LOL Seriously, a local woman, who pays for radio time is promoting her self as a trainer. She really did get an online degree to become a certified dog trainer. Lord help the clients who present her with a real challenge or an aggressive dog.

What makes a trainer means different things to different people. 1)Has formal training, a certificate- Have seen in law enforcement a handler go through a handler course, 3 months later go through a trainers course and instant trainer "poof". The person is a quote on quote trainer and has been handleing dogs less than 4 months. 2) Has titled a dog- Seen people who have titled a dog, but had a very hot dog and could not probably do it again. 3) Natural ability- I agree with this, have seen people with alot of schooling and certificates that just lack the natural ability. It is sort alike the guy who goes to baseball camp numerous times and tries like hell but has no natural ability. Will he ever be a good ball player? If he is honest with himself he will admit that he sucks but, says hey I just like the game. Problem in dog training they may suck but instead of admiting they have no ability they jsut run around showing certificates that they are a dog trainer and conning people out of hard earned money. Most trainers won't admit to there limitations just like most people won't admit to there dogs limitations. I train dogs, no have not titled a dog, also would tell you I do not know the SCH routines or show routines. I know my limitations:obedience, patrol, narcotics, explosive dogs. I have extensive expierience in this including overseas work in real war zones of Iraq and Afganistan. I met alot of so called trainers who could not read a dogs change of behavior at all. The only dogs they could work were push button dogs and the only thing they could read in a detection dog was the final response and it had better be quick or they would pull them off. When chooseing a trainer, don't be overwelmed by all the plaques on the wall. Observe one or two of there classes, look at there beginner class along with the advance class. Look at there training methods. Ask for references and if you don't feel comfortable with there methods find someone else. Also if they say they have done something, prove it. Mike