5 Things I Wish People Knew Before Enrolling in Dog Training

July 12, 2017 | We Learn | Tips from Marie Aymard
Enrolling your dog into a training program and finding the right trainer for you and your dog can be an arduous process. With no overarching governing body that regulates who can and cannot train dogs, and no required education to be completed before beginning to train dogs, finding a qualified dog trainer that you trust with your fur baby can be a challenge.

Often times, I have first time dog owners that come in to find out about our program that are unaware of many aspects of dog training that I wish could be discussed prior to their arrival. There are five major things I wish people would be aware of prior to coming into training.

You do have to do work at home! As much as we’d love to be, we are not miracle workers. Private sessions and group classes require follow up at home to ensure retention for the training. Coming to classes once or twice a week alone will not give you your dream dog – your dog requires ongoing stimulation to make any training program successful. When you don’t do work between sessions, often we have to keep reviewing the same material and fail to make the progress we would like with you and your dog.

Your enthusiasm keeps our work fresh and exciting. Working with dogs can be a very draining process, especially when we are trying to teach handlers that are not excited about the process. Keeping your excitement and enthusiasm up makes our job easier, and makes your dog more eager to work and learn with you

“Keeping your excitement and enthusiasm up makes our job easier, and makes your dog more eager to work and learn with you.”

Most of us live very humble lifestyles, and our pricing is set for a reason. No one gets into dog training to become rich. It is not the most lucrative career – most trainers are in the field for their passion and love of dogs. That being said, we set out pricing for a reason. Covering overhead cost, training equipment, ongoing education, and transportation can be pricey. Most training facilities will offer packages that can be adjusted to fit any budget, so ask about some options openly if finances are a hindrance in enrolling into the right training program for you and your dog.

We tend to pick the most difficult dogs for our own dogs, and we relish in the challenge! Almost every trainer has that one dog that has gotten them into the profession, and most often it is one of the most challenging dogs we have ever worked with! We relish in our successes in our own dogs, just like you do! Keep in mind though, that trainers often pick the most difficult dogs and breeds to work with, and our dogs are often trained for demo work. They require more work than the average dog. Just because your trainer has a beautifully trained dog, does not mean that you should go out and get a dog of the same breed to meet your goals.

We are incredibly passionate people! For many dog trainers, training wasn’t their dream job growing up, many of us happened to fall into this career thanks to our incredible passion. We love what we do, and that is what keeps us inspired day in and day out! Talk to us, pick our brains, and I promise, you will feel every ounce of our passion into the work we put into your dog!

Photo via Marie Aymard

Read more about Marie on our About page.

If you enjoyed this post, you should read 5 Outdoor Summer Activities To Enjoy With Your Dog here.

What are things you wish you knew before starting a training program with your dog? Share below!

Leave a comment!

Don't miss a Bark!

Sign up for monthly news from Barkswell.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This