You wouldn’t pay for cooking lessons from someone who cannot cook well.
You wouldn’t pay for driving lessons from someone who cannot drive well.
So why pay for dog training lessons from someone who cannot train a dog well??
I recently saw a post on a dog training-related Facebook page that stated it is a myth that a dog trainer’s dog should be well-trained. They claimed the truth was that trainers love dogs and so are more likely to rescue difficult dogs with complex behaviour and that, in accepting their personalities and wanting to give them a good life, they may not be very well-behaved.
I’m sorry, but that is utter💩!! All dogs, rescue or not, have the capacity to be well-behaved with the right training!
Now, I’m not saying every dog trainer’s dog should have an award-winning obedience routine or know hundreds of commands. My dog isn’t competition worthy. Everyone has different goals and priorities, which is fine. But unless a dog is new and/or a literal puppy, they should be well-trained enough to have good manners. If a trainer’s dog does not listen when asked for basic commands, or has issues like pulling on lead, reactivity, mouthing, excessive barking, etc., then that is a HUGE red flag. Because that trainer has had loads of time spent with that dog and daily opportunities to work with them but still has not been able to achieve better behaviour. So, how can you trust that they have the answers to help you achieve your goals with your dog? You cannot.
Keep in mind that the dog training industry is completely unregulated. Be critical, look out for your own interests. A dog trainer’s dog is their walking CV – a chance for you to see what is possible for you and your dog with their help. If their dog cannot even walk on a loose lead or cannot be trusted off lead or cannot be neutral to other dogs, and those are goals you have for your dog, they cannot help you. Go elsewhere.
