At MAGSR, we believe the most
important thing you can do to ensure a successful adoption is to train
your dog. Your dog will be better behaved and constructively occupied,
and you both will be happier because you will have established ways to
communicate with each other. For rescue dogs in particular, many
of them need the self-confidence and assurance that they gain from
effective obedience training.
But how do you select a trainer? Here
are some important tips:
1. Look for a trainer
who relies on positive reinforcement for the right response rather
than only punishing the wrong response.
2. Observe an obedience
class without your dog. Are the dogs and people having a good time?
Talk with a few participants to see if they are comfortable with the
trainer's methods. Ask for references and call them. If you are not allowed to sit in
on a class or are refused references, don't enroll.
3. Don't allow a trainer
to work your dog unless he first tells you exactly what he plans to
do...but look for trainers willing to handle the dogs in their
classes first hand - not just "instruct" from a distnace.
4. Don't be afraid to
tell a trainer to stop if she is doing something to your dog that
you don't like.
5. Don't let a trainer
(or anyone else, for that matter) intimidate, bully, or shame you
into doing something that you believe is not in your dog's best interest.
You should feel comfortable with your trainer and his training.
6. Avoid a trainer who
offers to train your dog for you without you being there. Obedience is not transferable - you
must learn to train/control your own dog.
7. Avoid a trainer who
objects to using food as a training reward. Food is an acceptable
positive reinforcement training tool.
8. Do your research on
different collars and pick the most effective collar for you and your
dog and get a trainer who uses it. Some collars appear cruel but
in realty are not. Still others are packaged as "gentle" or
"humane" but can actually be quite harmful. Get the facts
before you decide.
9. Look for a trainer
who treats both people and dogs with respect. It should be fun
(but challenging) for both of you!
Sometimes behavioral problems extend beyond what can be covered in
basic obedience. This is especially true in rescue, where dogs may
already come with baggage to unpack. In this case, it's time to call
in a behaviorist. But again, how do you call? More tips:
1. Ask about the consultant's
academic training in the science of animal behavior, as well as his
hands-on experience.
2. Ask about the consultant's
certification--it indicates the individual has met strict requirements
in terms of educational experience and professional ethics.
3. Look for a consultant
who recognizes the importance of you working through the problem with
your pet rather than sending him somewhere to be "fixed."
4. Ask if the consultant
is an active member of any professional organizations. Membership
suggests communication with colleagues and an interest in keeping
current on new information.
5. Ask for professional
references (e.g., from former clients, colleagues, and veterinarians
who refer cases).
6. Assess whether the
consultant is knowledgeable about positive reinforcement methods,
behavior modification techniques such as counter-conditioning and
desensitization, and how to use food and humane products (such as
head collars) in her work.
7. Look for a consultant
who will treat you with respect and is not abrupt or abrasive.
8. Avoid a consultant
who guarantees problem resolution. Animals are complex beings, and
no one knows everything there is to know about them.
9. Avoid quick fixes
and any consultant who promotes them. This approach does not do justice
to you or your pet.
10. Beware of a consultant
who suggests the use of drugs as the first or only solution for a
problem. Drug therapy is best used as part of a complete plan. (Only
veterinarians can prescribe drugs.)
* Reprinted with permission from the book
Pet Behavior Protocols by Suzanne Hetts, Ph.D.
Items in this list are modified from
those developed by S. Hetts, appearing in C. Rosenthal, 1996, Beware
the dog trainer! Advocate 14 (2/3): 16-7. Reprinted by permission
of American Humane Association
