Top 3 qualities I would look for in a dog trainer
I’m Alex, a dog behaviourist based in south London, running in-person training programs for dogs and their guardians.
There are so many dog trainers in the UK with wildly varying ways of working, so I wanted to break down what I would be looking for in a dog trainer and behaviourist - my personal non-negotiables.
Empathy. Have they listened to your story and specific needs or simply trying to impart their knowledge without much consideration for you and your dog as individuals. A ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach simply does not work.
Support. Do you genuinely feel supported, not constantly berated. You should learn a lot, yes, but you’re not back at school. Yes things should be direct and clear, but in no way should they be humiliating.
Ethics. Hopefully you’re choosing a trainer that matches their ethics with yours. The industry is unbelievably varied - are they a trainer who relies on old-school bully tactics or one that focuses only on positive reinforcement? Do your research.
If you’re in need of a dog trainer you can discover more about the the way I work here. I also offer free 15 minute consultations where we can discuss what might work for you and your dog. Any questions? Just shout!
Ta,
Alex