How to find reputable trainer/behaviourist?

[MissyB1]

Not which it is I need anyway! would be grateful for opinions.

So I have a 7 year old miniature Schnauzer. She’s super friendly, affectionate, loves all humans and dogs. Great off lead, bloody absolute nightmare on the lead!! I’m ashamed to say I can barely walk her on the lead. 🙁
She didn’t used to be this bad, she’s got progressively worse the last 18 months or so. It’s mainly for me that she plays up, dh doesn’t have the same issue. She stops every few steps and refuses to move, literally puts the brakes on. Pulls away to the side from me, as if trying to get away from me. I’m not kidding I’ve cried when out with her. She wants to be off lead and trots along happily if you take the lead off. But there are times a dog has to be on a lead! It feels like a bad dynamic between me and her. Although she loves me at home!
I need to find someone experienced and knowledgeable to help. There are local trainers advertising but I wondered how you choose?

have no idea bit they all seem to give opposing advice online so it'd be extremely difficult to choose irl as well I imagine!
My SIL was told by a 'behaviourist' to use a choke chain on a newly rescued dog that was already beginning to listen to her and trust her without it, she just wanted reassurance.
Honestly , do your own research online and work out what's right for you and your dog. Supposedly Qualified Behaviourists on here have been less than impressive that's for sure.

People who foster/rescue dogs probably know what they're talking about I'd say, so can you talk to anyone like this?

Thanks @pinkshiny it seems to be a minefield! Actually though someone with experience of rescues probably would have a good understanding of what goes on in a dogs head.

Sorry to hear this . I have a lot of MS experience

What area are you in and I can ask my network - county is fine / or PM me

This website has trainers who are vetted and monitored

https://www.findadogtrainer.com/

Anyone who is trained and approved by the Dog Training College does not use out-dated or aversive techniques.

Check that the trainer is qualified with either IMDT or APDT qualifications.

There are others but these two usually cover many areas.

Stay away from anyone saying they are a balanced trainer or from I have a lot of experience with dogs!

If you want to pm a rough idea of where you are I can send details

If you need a behaviourist - from what you have described you do not need a behaviourist always go via your vet for a vet referral. They should be Msc educated and be a member of ABTC

Behaviourists are different to trainers. Check to see if they are registered here https://www.apbc.org.uk/find-an-apbc-member/ This is the association of pey behaviour councillors

@MissyB1 this 👆

Great thanks everyone, I’m in Gloucestershire, Cheltenham area if anyone has recommendations.
@namestevalian if you know anyone that knows much about schnauzers in Gloucestershire please let me know.

Look at the dogs you see which are happy and well-behaved and ask their owners who trained them. I have two cheerful and fairly well-behaved high-drive working line dogs and recommend the trainer we go to when people ask me how come they're so good... He was recommended to me by a man with a jolly and well-behaved cocker.

He's a fairly standard gundog trainer, with no qualifications - other than having happy dogs who work in the field. It is a deeply unfashionable view on this forum, but many, many balanced trainers do a very good job. So your best bet, IME, is to judge by the results. Is the dog happy? Does it walk nicely on the lead? How good is its recall from distractions?

Awesome trainer Pauline Whittaker Dog Training School

https://www.paulinewhittaker.co.uk/

Qualified in Behaviour and Training

I was Recommened ;

Usen behavior referrals

Debbie Byron

Helen Motteram

Claire Stewart

Helen Warner

Sirumo

Mark George

All should come up with a quick google with dog training next to them !

Thank you! That’s great, I will get googling!