What Makes A Good Dog Trainer?

I read something last night that absolutely cracked me up. It was a story by another professional dog trainer that addressed an issue I also deal with constantly.

A friend his dog knew, a former dog owner related to a dog breeder, approached his dog in her Halloween costume. The dog freaked out and warned her with his body posture, "back off." The dog trainer warned her, "Stop, you idiot. You're going to get bitten."

But she continued moving toward that dog even when he gave his warning lunge, saying, "He knows me." Well, she ended up being pinned in the corner...

There are those who breed dogs that believe this makes them an expert "dog trainer." Breeding dogs may make you an expert on the dog breed, its tendencies, its looks... that kind of stuff. But it no more makes you an expert dog trainer than owning a dog does. Thousands of people all over the world have dogs that are completely out of control.

Degrees don't really make you an expert, either. A degree comes through studying and fulfilling some requirements.

So what really makes you a "professional?"

EXPERIENCE. And genuine insight.

Dog trainers are not created equal, and many don't really know what they are doing. You don't need to be letting someone handle your dog who goes strictly by the book. Or anyone who believes that every dog is the same. All dogs must be respected and treated as INDIVIDUALS.

By the way, guys, I walked into a hospital a few months ago. I did not come out a doctor.

Rena Murray
DogWhisperWoman