Seminar Deceptions...... - Page 1

I noticed that there was a post in the Upcoming Events thread about a seminar for  "solving problems".   One has to ask themselves what type of experience = how many dogs have they titled to the higher levels, how many dogs have their club members titled to a SchH 3 etc., - in other words what is their experience.  It seems now adays anyone can give a seminar....there will always be those that are looking for the quick fix or those that do not know any better due to lack of experience in the sport.  You have to ask yourself what has that person done in the sport?  I would caution people to do their homework....find out what your paying for...talk to those who know or have experience with these "self professed trainers".  A position in office in USA does not necessarily mean that they have walked the center line, know how to TRAIN dogs or can even read a dog.....an elected position is just that.

When members of this persons own club questions this trainers  training ability and then they are terminated from the club for knowing the truth....you gotta ask yourself is this something that is worth paying for or something that I even wanta get into.

We all know the "big players" out there, their accomplishments with their dogs and with people that they have trained give credence to their experience and abilities....does not take much research to find out who they are.  Then we have the "self-proclaimed trainers" - ask them how many dogs they titled to SchH3 or FH? - check out the archives page on USA and see how many times their name is listed on any National Event as a competitor .    A  good trial helper does not equate to a good training helper or a good trainer. 

Watch out for those that try to deceive....it could cause more harm then good to you and your dog.  I learned this the hard way and am just trying to prevent others from making the same mistake.

Lacey Vessell

 Good rule of thumb is if you are attending a seminar and you are not familiar with the person to go without a dog the firs time and get a feel for things.

Yeah I agree with Betty.  I'd never put my dog in a seminar for someone I'd never heard of who proclaimed to have a lot of experience and could "solve problems".  I may be a novice but I am not stupid and will not throw my dog in front of just anyone. In fact I'd probably never use a working spot in any seminar put on by someone I've never met or watched train (not just compete) regardless of their reputation.  Our club is having a Rojas/Payne seminar and I've never met either even though they have reputations, I will probably observe and not use a working spot. 

I took my dog to a seminar once and it was with someone that is a known trainer and from Colorado.  It was a total joke!  They had NO blinds, NO dumbells, NO jump or wall........and the person giving the seminar was a total screwball and out to stroke his own ego.  I didn't even go back the second day.

I will stick with the likes of Dean and Flinks and Roland Siebel.  They are tried and true and are doing what is right for the dog!

Vickie
www.PowerHausKennels.com

I agree with Maligirl, I have learned the same lesson the hard way, that  not every self proclaimed trainer really knows what they are doing. Be sure to do your homework.
 
Absolutely  THE MOST IMPORTANT MEASURE of a trainers ability is what they have accomplished in the sport. PERIOD. 

  If they have not titled several dogs to Sch3 and Fh, then there is a reason for that, and if they can't do it themselves  then they certainly can't teach it to you and your dog!  I made the same  mistake of trusting a  trainer that had no credentials  and  I will never again train with someone who is not actively and successfully competing in the sport. 

 It is really hard when you are  new to the sport  because you tend to be very trusting of the self proclaimed trainer who seems to know more than you do. I have  realized that when something doesn't sound right, it probably isn't and  it is important to speak up. Don't do anything with your own dog that you are not comfortable with. I have been to many seminars and worked with many different trainers and  alot of them  skip steps, cut corners and either don't know what they are doing, or if they do they don't take enough time to show you all of their so called "secrets", and you end up with a pasted together dog that falls apart on trial day. There are no shortcuts and no 2 day weekend seminars that can solve all of your problems. 

But I guess you CAN learn something from everyone, even if you learn what NOT to do!

Happy Training!




 

Excellent and sage advise!  And if you ever see an add for a seminar  where the person giving it feels they don't need to post a resume, RUN AWAY AS FAST AS YOU CAN or at the very least do NOT take your dog!!!

Only thing dumber I saw was someone who actually said they would rather learn from someone who never accomplished anything in the sport.........BAHAHAHAHHAHAHA!!!!

Thanks for this topic. A friend and I have been battling this very problem in the last week--not as a seminar but in the regular weekly training arena. Lots of people who think they are trainers snag newbies and make converts of them, causing so many problems down the line. So much wasted time, so many wasted dogs.

Too bad there isn't some kind of rating system! Oh wait, maybe that's what this board is for. :)

I agree with the advice given here.  If I go to a seminar, first I research the person giving the seminar for his/her credentials and accomplishments.  If there background stacks up I won't bring my dog the first time, I will go and audit.  One thing I have learned over the years is that you can learn a lot by watching others work their dogs and how the dog responds.  Sometimes, I learn more than when I actually work my dog by watching others, both good and bad.  I won't work my dog at a seminar if I don't the person giving the seminar personally. 

I agree with Sue, if the person has no real accomplishments or won't post a resume why would anyone go?  This goes for regular training as well, if I don't like the training methods or philosophy I'd train somewhere else. 

I do go to seminars and agree with the names mentioned above.  I've been to Roland Siebel seminars and he is very good.  Flinks is awesome and so is Debbie Zappia.  I would take my dogs and train with them any chance I had. 

JMO,

Jim

That is one thing i have never been too over here in Belgium is a seminar, in fact i have not seen them advertised over here
 Recently there was a seminar for the Helpers but not for the Dogs, Just for interest how much does it cost over in the USA to take part in one of these seminars
Steve1

Ok I will agree that you have to know what qualifications a person holding a seminar have BUT   I have to disagree that a trainer has to have accomplished something in ShcH to know how to  "solve problems". There are trainers out there that can help with issues a dog has whether it is a SchH dog or a companion dog. It is understanding why a dog is or isn't doing something. For those that think that a dog can only be trained the way a dog is trained for SchH they are missing out out learning other ways that might actually help them improve. Think out side the box...SchH isn't the be all end all of dog training. There are some trainers that have never compete in SchH that I would trust their expertise more in problem solving then I would a SchH trainer that has ONLY competed and trained for the sport and most likely only trained one or two breeds. JMO