What questions should I ask a dog trainer before hiring?

Questions about methods

Question to ask	What to listen for
What training methods and philosophy do you use?	The American Kennel Club (AKC) says to ask and to be comfortable with the approach. The ASPCA says a good trainer will be happy to discuss qualifications, background, and methods
What equipment do you use or recommend?	The Pet Professional Guild (PPG), a force-free advocacy group, says a force-free trainer will never recommend equipment designed to cause pain or discomfort or to restrict a dog’s breathing
What happens when my dog does what you want?	PPG says a force-free trainer will say the dog is positively reinforced when it does the right thing
What happens when my dog does not do what you want?	PPG says it believes unwanted behavior should be ignored or redirected
What side effects does the method have?	PPG says to avoid methods that use pain or startle, and to get another opinion if anything a trainer says makes you uncomfortable
How will you or I know if my dog is stressed?	PPG says professional trainers are educated and experienced in interpreting canine communication
Will you guarantee your results?	The ASPCA says a good trainer does not guarantee results, and AKC says to be wary of anyone who does

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) says methods based on force, intimidation, or pain are unnecessary and unethical, and it says trainer websites and social videos give clues to their methods.

Questions about credentials and education

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  What education and credentials do you hold? AKC says certification is not mandatory but shows dedication and continuing education.
  AKC
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  What continuing education have you done, and which body gave the credits? PPG suggests asking.
  PPG
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  Which professional associations do you belong to? PPG says a force-free trainer should not join groups that promote or endorse punishment, force, fear, or intimidation.
  PPG
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  Which CCPDT designation do you hold? CCPDT lists CPDT-KA, CPDT-KSA, and CBCC-KA for owners to look for.
  CCPDT

CCPDT says dog training has no licensing or regulatory oversight, and AVSAB says credentials alone do not guarantee quality.

Compare the credentials in our dog trainer certifications guide.

Questions about experience and fit

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  Have you worked with the problem my dog has? CCPDT tells owners to ask about experience with their problem.
  CCPDT
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  Do you take aggression cases? Humane World for Animals says some trainers do not.
  Humane World
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  Do you have room to take me on? Humane World says to find out whether the trainer has room.
  Humane World
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  Will you teach me to train my dog? AKC says a good trainer teaches the owner to train the dog.
  AKC
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  Can I get references? The ASPCA says to ask for references from clients or veterinarians, and AKC says to ask former students.
  ASPCAAKC
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  Can I watch a class? AKC says to observe a class and watch the dogs and students.
  AKC

Questions for serious fear, anxiety, or aggression

PPG suggests asking how growling or snapping at people or dogs should be handled, and says the trainer first assesses arousal versus fear or aggression.

The ASPCA says to go straight to a veterinary behaviorist for serious aggression, fear, or anxiety. AVSAB says to contact a veterinarian with behavior knowledge, a veterinary behaviorist, or a credentialed consultant. The ASPCA also says some behavior problems can have a physical cause, so check with a veterinarian.

Questions for board-and-train

These questions come from AKC’s guide to board-and-train programs.

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  Can I get the methods, equipment, and behaviors in writing?
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  Where will my dog live, and can I inspect it?
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  How do the dogs already at the facility act?
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  Can I visit my dog? AKC says to insist on visitation privileges.
  AKC
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  Can I follow up with client references?
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  Will you teach me the cues and techniques? AKC warns that skills learned at a facility may not carry over to the home.
  AKC