Whether you want to establish good habits with your new puppy or have an older dog who needs a refresher course, hiring a training expert is your best bet for success. The expense can seem daunting. Don’t let this deter you from making the investment!
While the cost range will vary from trainer to trainer, the reality is that expert guidance when it comes to training our pets is invaluable. We live in a time when information is so readily available to us that we tend to get overwhelmed and have a difficult time establishing a clear path to our goals, especially when it’s not our area of expertise.
Hiring a professional trainer whose methods you agree with puts the roadmap drawing in someone else’s (more qualified) hands. Writing the check for this expense will come a little easier if you are well aware of how you can make the most of this investment!
- Let no question go unanswered. Leading up to each training session, keep a notebook nearby, or a running note on your phone. Gather ALL of your questions in advance, and be specific. Once you are in the training session, make sure to ask for clarification if you do not understand something (For example, a word the trainer is using, or how to identify something in your dog’s body language, etc). Be an active part of the session. Your trainer cannot wave a magic wand to accomplish the things you want out of your training sessions, so it is important to fully understand what is going on and what you need to do at home to improve your dog’s behavior. The more questions you gather ahead of each session, the more focused you can be on what you do not understand or need improvement on.
- Don’t invest unless you are willing to make a change. A lot of people think training is simply offering your dog commands, and them listening obediently. While commands are part of the gig, the other part is implementing management tools and processes that work for your dog specifically. Your trainer may address something that you are doing at home that does not serve your dog in the way you’d like. It may be a routine change. It may be committing to consistency. Whatever it is, you have to be willing, or your investment might not be worth it. Keep an open mind for the sake of your dog!
- Implement! You are doing the training. You are asking the questions. You are ready and willing to make changes in your life for the betterment of your dog’s behavior and confidence. Now… don’t let your newfound knowledge go to waste! You have to implement the knowledge to make it work for you. Training is done consistently and constantly. It’s not a one-and-done! It’s knowledge that will be applied to your dog’s life forever moving forward. Want the most out of your investment? Get ready to forever implement your changes!
Your dog trainer can help you accomplish your goals, but you are a big part of the equation! Realizing that will help you to get the best results out of your investment.