What trainer should I use?

Did you know there are different types of dog trainers? Did you know that dog training is a totally unregulated industry? This means anyone, regardless of where they got their knowledge from, can set themselves up as a dog trainer and that is completely legitimate. Incredibly dangerous if you ask me!

So who do you go to for help?? If I explain the different types of trainers it may help you decide:

Compulsion training: Abusive. Run a mile!!!

Balanced training: Its called balance training as it takes some positive reinforcement and some punitive and aversive methods in combination. These methods do work but only for a short time, and can sometimes cause other problems elsewhere. Unfortunately most popular tv shows and social media trainers are balanced trainers as it makes far more compelling viewing.

Force free: I am a force free trainer. To the balanced trainers and to some clients, they are worried that it is fluffy clouds and rainbows, all treats and permissive. My way of working is certainly not permissive and does add consequences to undesirable behaviour. However, I choose to appeal to the dog’s (and clients’s) learning styles and teach and reward, rather than punishing what the dog is just not understanding. Force free techniques use the most up to date scientific research to back up our methods. The results speak for themselves.

Also does your trainer have any qualifications? Again a lot of popular social media trainers dont actually hold any nationally recognised qualifications and some just go for a day course. These trainers cannot be found on the ABTC register as they do not hold the required level of training and/or use aversive methods. I would be happy to answer any questions on my training.

On that note a huge amount of trainers are still using shock collars, when there are many alternatives. The government recently committed to banning shock collars in England coming into effect February 2024.

Unfortunately, due to huge opposition , MPs are starting to be swayed and there is a chance the law will not actually passed unless we make ourselves heard.

Here is a link to an RSPCA petition that gets sent to your local MP. Please consider signing

I hope that helps x