Becoming A Dog Trainer

The dog training business is just like any other business. Whether you will be successful as a trainer or not only depends a lot on your qualifications but also on your ability to deal with people. One more thing… you need to be able to deal well with dogs as well.

If you are the type that relates better to animals than you do to people, then ironically, the dog training business might not be right for you. Why? Because it is humans that do the hiring, not the dogs. Just like the dogs that you will be training, there will be no reward for you in this career, if you can’t learn to humor the expectations of humans.

Here is a checklist of the expectations that people have when they set out to hire a dog trainer.

They expect you to be part of an accredited training program, have years of experience and knowledge in several areas of expertise.

They expect you to be able to find you through a reputable and reliable organization such as the ASPCA as well as through local and national dog trainer organizations.

They expect you to practice an effective, but humane training method and to be concerned about a dog’s welfare.

They expect you to have extensive knowledge of dog behavior and to be updated on the latest method through your attendance at exhibitions and conferences.

They expect you to have affiliations with reputable organizations, associations and training clubs.

They expect you to display good teaching and communication skills.

They expect your resume to be filled with records of seminars, courses and workshops you have attended on top of your original training

They expect you to have a sense of humor when it comes to dealing with both them and their dogs.

They expect you to put ethics, before the cost of your services.
They expect you to have a genuine love of dogs and to love what you do.

So what about you? Do you have the time, energy and commitment that it takes to become a successful trainer?

Many people fail at becoming trainers simply because they underestimate the scope of the job. Attending a couple of one or two day seminars or workshops with a well known dog trainer is not enough, no matter how talented you think you are with animals. Most animal lovers will go to a great deal of trouble to verify your references, accreditation and experience so make sure that you are prepared to fulfill the expectations before you embark on your own dog training business. And if you do decide to get into this type of business expect that you will be updating yourself for many years afterwards. This makes you look up to date for people who might want to hire your services.

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Teaching Your Dog To Come

Teaching your dog to come is absurdly easily. It is also the first command you should teach your dog as it will help you control where the dog goes. Using this command at the right time can also save your dog’s life. You can use the command to steer him or her away from oncoming traffic or away from a porcupine.  

You can start teaching your puppy the “come” command on the first day that you bring him home.   Usually your puppy will just like you enough to do it and without much resistance.    This command is one of the most important because you want your dog to return to you under any circumstances, whether he is chasing another dog in the park or looking like he wants to follow a sexy poodle all the way home.  

Not only is the come command an easy command for canines to understand; it also establishes a loving and familiar bonds between the two of you. It establishes you as the leader. You want to avoid going to where your dog is as that puts you at the wrong end of the power struggle. Always make your dog come to you.   If you are chasing your dog then he or she has taught you how to ,come, and not the other way around.  

To teach your dog to “come” without using a leash, stand four or five feet from your dog and tell him ,Sport! (or whatever your dog’s name is ..) Come!, in a very happy voice. When your dog approaches you, pet him, praise him and tell him ,Good Boy!, (or ,Good Girl!,) and give him a treat.  Don’t repeat the lesson right away but repeat it several times a day, making sure you reward him fast enough and in a way that makes it obvious to the dog that it is the act of approaching you that is earning the reward.  Most dogs have a four second memory so make sure you have that treat handy.

is a good idea to keep them in your pocket out of the sight of the dog so that the treat’s sudden appearance is like a sudden miracle form the doggie point of view.  Never call your dog to you if you’re angry or use a commanding, stern tone of voice. This might convince him to avoid you.   When you say, ,Come, you don’t want the dog trotting the other way.   He needs motivation.  

To teach your dog the ,Come, command using a leash start walking with your dog at your side. As you’re in motion, take a sudden step back or to the side, snap the lead to turn him toward you and give him the ,Sport, Come!, command. Then walk backwards as he moves toward you and encourage him to follow as you repeat the command. Praise him generously when he follows you. Repeat until he gets the idea that ,Come, means he should come with you.  Remember that f you are using a leash, the ,Come, command should never be a tug of war contest of brute strength between you and your dog.

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