August 11th, 2010
Much of what I’ve written about in this blog focuses on how we can train our dogs ourselves. Every time we teach our dogs something new, we deepen our relationships with them just a little bit more. With that deepened bond comes greater enjoyment and more meaningful companionship for person and pooch alike; that’s why we add dogs to our lives in the first place.
As enjoyable as dog training can be, though, that fun isn’t a given. Sometimes training a dog can be downright frustrating, especially if you’re not succeeding in dealing with a canine behavioral problem. But how do you know when you need help from a professional trainer? I put this question to several dog trainers I know. Here’s how they responded.
Robin Bennett, CPDT-KA, co-owner of Dream Dog Productions in Woodbridge, VA, has a short and simple answer: “Generally speaking, I’d say any time [you] have questions about your dog.”
Victoria Schade, CPDT-KA, owner of Life on the Leash in Doylestown, PA, elaborates: “My rule of thumb is that people should seek help when they feel overwhelmed. Being overwhelmed is just a few steps away from being angry, and nothing good can come from trying to work with a dog when angry. It’s easier to address a behavioral challenge before it takes root!”
Pat Miller, CPDT-KA, CDBC, owner of Peaceable Paws in Fairplay, MD, agrees with Schade. “Across the board, behavioral problems are best addressed at onset rather than waiting until they have become well-practiced, well-established behaviors,” Miller says. “I work with clients who bring their dogs to me at the first glimmer of an undesirable behavior, as well as those who wait longer, sometimes years, to address a problem. Invariably, we can more successful at extinguishing ‘glimmer’ behaviors than those that have become deeply ingrained in a dog’s behavior repertoire.”
Miller adds that another reason to call a training pro is when “an owner realizes that what she is trying—[whether] her own approaches or those suggested by other dog-owning friends—are not only unsuccessful but perhaps even making the dog’s behavior worse. [Then] it’s time to call a qualified behavior professional who uses a positive reinforcement approach to behavior modification.”
There you have it. If you’ve determined that you and your dog meet any of these criteria, but need help finding a behavior pro, click here.
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Susan McCullough has been a professional writer for 30-plus years, but didn't start focusing on dogs until 1996, when an overzealous Sheltie attacked and shredded a message that had been faxed to Susan's office. Instead of merely telling the sender "My dog ate your fax," Susan decided to see seek expert advice about how to share an office with one's animal companion. She turned that advice into an article for a national pet magazine, and she's been writing about dog behavior and care ever since.
