Questions about dog trainers
Goody Doggy is a directory of dog trainers with a listing page for each of the 50 states and Washington, DC.
Sources on these pages
How do I choose a dog trainer?
Ask each trainer about their methods, their education and credentials, and their references, and watch a class if you can. AKC says dog training is an unregulated industry, so ask each trainer about credentials.
Read the full answerSteps to choose a dog trainer
- Start with your goal.
- Rule out medical causes.
- Ask about methods.
- Ask about education and credentials.
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What questions should I ask a dog trainer before hiring?
Ask how the trainer trains and why, what education and credentials they hold, and whether they can give you references. Also ask whether they take on your dog’s kind of problem, and watch a class if you can.
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Do dog trainers have to be certified?
Generally, no. CCPDT says the dog training industry is unregulated with no licensing requirements or regulatory oversight, and it says certification is often a voluntary process run by a nongovernmental body.
Sources
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Should I hire a dog trainer or a dog behaviorist?
CCPDT says dog trainers focus on teaching skills and everyday behaviors, and behavior consultants specialize in complex behavior challenges rooted in fear, anxiety, aggression, or other emotional factors. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) says a physical exam and a talk with your pet’s veterinarian is the first step in treating any behavior problem.
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How do I find a dog behaviorist?
Start with your veterinarian, which AVSAB calls the first step for any behavior problem, then look at the types of behaviorist below. Anyone can use the title behavior consultant, but a veterinarian may call themselves a behaviorist only if board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB).
Find a dog trainer on Goody Doggy
Goody Doggy has a state page for each of the 50 states and Washington, DC, and 10,820 published trainer profiles. Start with Texas, California, Florida, or New York.
Trainers tell us which credentials they hold, so check each name with the issuing body before you hire.
