The dog training industry is booming, and there are dog trainers everywhere. But why are so many dog trainers not certified?
What do they offer your dog as a service? Is it safe for you to hire them, or should you be looking elsewhere?
These are all great questions that we will address in this blog post.
What Qualifications Does a Dog Trainer Need?
Surprisingly, dog training is an unregulated industry. A dog trainer doesn’t need any formal education or certification to call themselves a dog trainer.
Therefore, a lot of people call themselves dog trainers (or behaviorists) with no education or experience whatsoever.
However, someone serious about making a living from dog training wants to prove to their clients that they are qualified to train dogs. They can earn the title of ‘Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed’ (CPDT- KA) from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.
But I find that professional dog trainers (certified or not) have a natural skill and ability to understand dog behavior and communicate with dogs that get results.
Should You Hire an Uncertified Dog Trainer?
And what do they offer your dog as a service?
Firstly, if the person you want to hire to train your dog can demonstrate that they can train dogs, then sure, why not hire them.
I am sure that as a dog owner, you will be able to tell within a few minutes if the person knows a thing or two about animal behavior and how to handle and train dogs.
And dogs are usually very good at judging one’s character – how does your dog behave when the dog trainer is around?
But just as importantly, you must also feel good about the dog trainer – if you don’t like the person, chances are your dog won’t either.
Is it safe to Hire an Uncertified Dog Trainer?
When dog owners are looking to hire a professional dog trainer, they want to know whether or not the dog trainer has the experience to train the dog or fix behavioral issues.
So whether the dog trainer is qualified or not is a moot point!
However, one advantage that qualified dog trainers often have is that they are more likely to have the insurance necessary to handle situations where the dog gets injured in an accident.
And as with all trade qualifications, one can have all the accreditation in the world but lack real-world experience training dogs – experience over theory.
Please, don’t get the wrong impression; I am not saying that a dog trainer with certification isn’t any better or worse than one without or vis versa.
It all depends on the dog trainer and their personal experience. So ask for references. Talk with other dog owners, vets, dog breeders, and dog clubs.
Another consideration is, do you need a professional dog trainer or a behavior consultant – for example, do you want to train your dog to walk on the leash, or does your dog require behavior modification?
Do You Need a Certified Dog Trainer at All?
As you can see, you don’t need any qualifications to train dogs. I don’t. But then, I don’t call myself a dog trainer.
If you have no prior experience with dogs, I can understand why you might want to consider hiring a dog trainer.
It will undoubtedly help speed up the process of training your dog before things get out of control or become a bad habit.
However, if you have had some experience with dogs or are confident in training your dog, why not use an online training course that covers almost all dog behavioral issues.
Online dog training courses are very affordable – in some cases, the entire online course is less than one hour with a dog trainer.
I have used and recommended this online dog training course.
Dog training is a dog-eat-dog world. And dog trainers are in the thick of it. But dog training can be hard work, and there’s no shortage of people claiming to offer dog training services when they’re not qualified or certified to do so.
And if you don’t know what you’re doing, your dog could end up with behavioral problems that will only get worse over time.
So how do you find a good dog trainer? Who should you trust? How do dog trainers make money? Is it all about treats and rewards? You’ll learn the answers to these questions and more in this article on tips for beginners!
How to Find Professional Dog Trainers
When someone needs help with their dog, they can usually call upon a friend or family member who has had experience training dogs before. However, this doesn’t mean that they are certified to train dogs professionally.
Many people find dog trainers online by researching dog breeds and then searching for dog trainers in their area who specialize in dog breeds they are interested in.
This is one of the most common ways dog owners find professional dog trainers. However, it can be challenging to know what differentiates a certified professional dog trainer from an uncertified dog trainer unless you make sure that your research includes certifications and credentials.
Another way people find dog trainers is by asking their local veterinarian for recommendations.
Many veterinarians are familiar with dog training schools in the area. As a result, they know which dog trainers have experience working with different breeds of dogs, especially if they’ve worked at a veterinary office before.
Different Types of Dog Training Certifications
Dog owners can look for different certifications online or ask friends and family for recommendations.
However, one of the most common is CPDT-KA which stands for Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (or Canine), which the Certification Council issues for Professional Dog Trainers.
CPDT-KAs must demonstrate a dog training education, dog training experience, and dog behavior knowledge before being eligible for certification.
Many dog owners also look for dog trainers who are certified through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC): https://m.iaabc.org
The IAABC dog training standards and codes of ethics specify that all dog behavior consultants must be either Certified Dog Trainer or hold an advanced degree in animal science, biology, ethology, psychology, or another related field.
It is important to note that dog certifications are not necessarily required for dog trainers to work with dog owners. Still, they serve as a good indication of the dog trainer’s level of education and experience.
What is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant
A dog behavior consultant is a dog trainer that has taken the time to obtain that certification.
This type of Dog trainer certification entails everything from dog obedience training, agility training, puppy training, dog breed training, dog behavior modification, and more.
The dog behavior consultant is well-versed in dog training and will have the proper certification to prove it.
Today dog trainers are not required by law to obtain a dog training certification, but this does not mean they do not know what they are doing or provide quality service.
Many people believe you can read up on dog training techniques online, in books, and in videos to be a dog trainer.
However, this is not the case.
Certified dog behavior consultants must have experience with dog breeds in general and individual dog temperaments so that they know how to train dogs for every type of personality out there.
DIY Tips for Dog Training
Dogs are fascinating animals and require a lot of attention and patience to train correctly.
Being as patient as possible with the dog is essential, as this will help create a stronger bond between the dog and owner.
There are many different types of dog training that you can take part in, such as dog agility, dog obedience, dog puppy training, or dog breed training which focuses on a specific dog breed for specialized knowledge.
If you’re a dog lover looking to add a dog to your life, then dog training is the first step!
Now, dog training can seem like a daunting task when you don’t know where to start, but we’re here to help share some helpful tips and tricks for dog training that will make it easier than ever.
So if you want to learn how to train your dog, keep reading if you’d prefer to, click here to watch online dog training videos.
Positive Reinforcement Training
Training my dog: give them food treats, and praise when they do what they’re supposed to. Because this will reinforce the behaviors you want them to do more often, use phrases such as “good girl/boy” or “yes!”
Be patient: dog training takes time, and you have to be patient with the dog. If they don’t do what they’re supposed to, give them a treat when they get it right eventually so that they know that good behavior is rewarded.
Learn dog language: dogs will bark, growl, whine or make other noises to communicate their needs with their owner. Each dog has their own language, so you’ll need to learn what your dog is trying to tell you at all times.
Understanding Dog Body Language
– Dogs will bark if they want attention or are excited about something. If this occurs, don’t give them too much affection since it can worsen the problem by rewarding inappropriate behavior and encouraging it to happen more often.
– Dogs will growl as a warning sign that they’re ready to attack if you don’t behave in the way they want you to, such as when someone is on their territory or threatening them. If this happens, try and remove yourself from the dog’s vicinity immediately.
– Dogs whine when in pain or their needs aren’t met, such as wanting to go outside for a walk. When this happens, it’s essential to address the dog’s problem immediately so that you don’t end up with an even bigger issue later on down the road.
– Dogs will also make a shivering noise when they’re scared or cold. If this happens, try to protect the dog from what’s scaring them so they don’t have to experience fear in their life anymore.
– Lastly, dogs move their tails to communicate with others around them. Based on its tail position, there are different ways to tell if your dog is happy, sad, or scared.
If you want to learn more about dog body language and signs, head over to this article, How to Read Dog Boy Language, which will teach you everything you need to know.
Endnote: Why Are So Many Dog Trainers Not Certified?
I hope that answers why so many dog trainers are not certified. However, it is important to note that some very good uncertified dog trainers are out there. In fact, based on my experience, many of the best dog trainers are uncertified.
And in my opinion, the ability to train a dog comes down to knowing and understanding dog behavior. Plus, the patience of a saint, tolerance, and a great personality.
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