When we adopted our dog a few years ago, it became clear we were going to need an at-home dog trainer for her. She wouldn’t listen to any commands, she would put things into her mouth and would not give it up, and she dug holes in the yard.
An acquaintance recommended her at-home dog trainer and raved about her. She also taught puppy training classes at a local pet store. We attended a puppy class to see how our dog and the trainer got along and our dog liked her and responded well to her. Other attendees told us how great the trainer was with their dogs. We decided to give her a chance to train our dog.
On the first visit, all she did was talk. The second visit was the same, which we found suspicious. On the third visit, she didn’t bother to show up and sent her partner, who barely did any training with our dog. We were done being taken advantage of and ceased using this trainer.
We then looked her up online. Yes, we should have done our due diligence before hiring her, but so many people raved about how great she was. We found out she had a criminal past and later on we were informed she up and disappeared and left her current clients in the wind.
The lesson: always do a check on any person you have do work for you, even an at-home dog trainer.
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Related: Dog Training Apps: Which One Is Right For You?
Should I Train My Dog Myself Or Get A Trainer?
This depends on your dog and what you need to train them for. Is it simple commands, like sit and stay, or do they have behavior issues that need to be rectified?
If your dog is exhibiting behaviors that make them hard to control, you may want to opt for an at home dog trainer.
Can A Dog Be Trained At Home?
Absolutely! Sometimes it is hard to transport your dog to another location or you may not be able to find the time to do so.
An at-home dog trainer can come to your house and teach you and your dog the skills you both need for a happy home together.
Depending on what your dog needs training with, being at home can help the trainer see exactly what is going on on your own turf and make helpful suggestions to improve things if needed.
What Is The Best Age To Get A Dog Trainer?
When it comes to training your dog, any age is a good age to train them, if they need it. Obviously, the sooner you train them, the better, especially if they are exhibiting poor behaviors.
The adage of “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” doesn’t hold true. A dog of any age can learn, it just may take a bit longer in some dogs.
What Is The Best Way To Train A Dog At Home?
When it comes to training your dog at home, you have several options.
- Train your dog yourself. With this option, you can train your dog how you see fit. This is your cheapest option.
- Use a dog training app. There are several dog training apps available to help you train your dog. Some of these apps have videos you can watch and use to incorporate into training your dog, others include a virtual session with a dog trainer to help you with any issues you may have. Most dog training apps have a weekly, monthly, or annual fee attached to it.
- Hire an at-home dog trainer. This will provide you and your pup with specialized one-on-one training unique to your dog’s needs. This may be more expensive than the other options, but training will be tailored to your dog.
Who Is An At-Home Dog Trainer Good For?
An at-home dog trainer is good for:
- Dogs that are not able to be transported to a training facility.
- People who are unable to take their dog to a training class whether for medical or personal reasons.
- Dogs that exhibit unwanted behaviors at home.
- Pups that need to be trained one-on-one.
- Anyone that prefers to have private training to group classes.
How Many Times Per Day Should You Do Training With Your Dog?
Training with your dog should be done in short 15 minute sessions a few times per day.
You don’t want your dog to get too exhausted working on training and you also want them to associate it with a positive experience.
What Should I Look For When Hiring An At-Home Dog Trainer?
If you opt to hire an at-home dog trainer, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Check For Certifications. Dog training is not regulated by any agency, so anyone can call themselves a dog trainer. Choosing a dog trainer that takes the time to obtain certifications shows they are committed to their craft. The trainer you hire should have certifications that show they are committed to safe training practices and experience.
- Ask Questions. They should be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about their training strategies.
- Positive Reinforcement. Choose an at-home dog trainer who employs positive reinforcement techniques. You don’t want a trainer who is going to yell at or hit your dog for any reason.
- Check References. They should be happy to provide you with references regarding their work.
- Repore. See if you can do an informal meeting with your dog to see how they interact with the trainer.
A dog trainer should not only train your dog, but they should also train you how to train your dog and let you be a part of the sessions.
How Can I Find A Reputable At-Home Dog Trainer?
If you are looking for an at-home dog trainer, and you don’t know where to look, here are some resources to get you started.
Certified Council For Professional Dog Trainers
The council provides three levels of certification, according to their website:
- CPDT-KA: A dog trainer has at least 300 hours of training experience and has passed a certification exam.
- CPDT-KSA: A dog trainer had at least 300 hours of training experience, they passed a certification exam, and had a skills based assessment done.
- CBCC-KA: This is a dog behavior consultant who has at least 300 hours of behavior consulting experience and passed an exam on behavior modification.
They also have a find a dog trainer database for which you can look for a certified dog trainer in your area.
Association Of Professional Dog Trainers
They offer training information for those who wish to become dog trainers, and they also have a searchable database for professional dog trainers near you.
American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen
The American Kennel Club offers Canine Good Citizen training with approved providers.
International Association Of Animal Behavior Consultants
Members agree to adhere to a code of ethics when training animals. Credentialed members have to complete educational and experiential requirements and pass an examination.
They also have a database for which you can search for an animal behaviorist that works with dogs.
You can also ask your veterinarian for any recommendations of local dog trainers that they may be familiar with.
Training your dog doesn’t have to be difficult. An at-home dog trainer can help to train your dog on their own turf and help correct behavior issues in a positive, non-stressful way.
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.