3 questions to ask any trainer or behaviourist

[calmtulip]

These are the questions:

What exactly will happen to my dog when she gets it right?
What exactly will happen to her when she gets it wrong?
Are there any less invasive alternatives to what you propose?

I speak with bitter experience as someone who hired a "Dog Whisperer" to help with my dog (on the advice of someone I met on a dog walk!).

My dog Jess is scared of strangers and I wanted to know ways I could help Jess feel less anxious and stressed.

The "dog whisperer" started off by chasing Jess around the room, sending her scuttling into the corners. This was to show Jess "who was in charge".

She then put Jess on a lead and started dragging her around the house.

At this point I intervened and the atmosphere turned suddenly very cool! In the end she had to leave as she didn't have ANY alternative methods to help my dog!!!!!

I saw this article today and wished I'd read it earlier... Here's the link for anyone interested:

eileenanddogs.com/2014/10/13/world-dog-training-motivation-transparency-challenge/

I would start with what are your qualifications and who are you registered with.

I would ask how long they have been training for.

I'd ask them how they manage mixed ability teaching - how they help you proof your commands in an increasingly challenging way.

I'd ask if they are creative in their training or do they have a one size fits all approach to problem solving.

Bitter experience has me feeling quite cynical about dog trainers - one used and advised physical force, the other class was a farce, she seemed to teach commands in a totally random way and neither could offer sensible advice on how to improve off lead recall, I've spent £160 so far and I'm now really reluctant to pay the useless buggers anymore.