24 Srp Part 2 – Getting to know the trainer online

In the first part of this series, we covered what to look for before you contact your new trainer. I gave you a good idea of what to check when browsing online. Now, we get to the part where you actually write him an email or call him. This is what you need to ask about and pay attention to. Don’t take this lightly; you owe it to yourself and to your dog to pick the best fit.

• Mission vs. money. This is more of a subjective parameter but still one that I consider very important. You might not believe me, but training dogs – and especially their handlers – is hard, hard work. 

The training fields are freezing cold or searing hot dry as a dessert or covered in ankle-deep mud. Long hours of patiently explaining, explaining again, explaining differently. All the while keeping up a good mood and energy to provide a valuable session for your clients. I am not complaining, mind you! You know I love it. I just want you to see it’s no walk in the park. 

Training dogs and their handlers is, and should be, a mission. If someone does it only for the money, they will never do it right. They will never go to all the lengths necessary to really help you. They’ll never be the trainer that stays an hour late to explain a difficult concept. Sometimes, you just need some extra motivation and to hear that it’s all going to work out in the end. A good trainer will be there for you. That goes beyond just working for the paycheck.

My mission, which I have stated here, is one of the core principles that forms my life. I draw energy from it, and it’s what keeps me going. It’s a crucial part of my dog training work.

When choosing a trainer, try to assess whether he is only after your money or if he sees a higher purpose in his work. The trainer who’s after the money might not be a bad guy. He’s probably not a scammer. But he most certainly won’t cut it, and he might disappoint you when you need him the most. 

You have a vision for yourself and your dog. Find a trainer who’s got the same one.

• Communication. Let’s switch to something objective and easy to assess. If you decide to work with a trainer, you will probably be communicating with him at least semi-regularly. You will be arranging sessions, asking questions, sharing your successes and failures, etc.

Your trainer should be someone who communicates well. If you send an email and have to wait a week for a reply, that’s bad. If your texts go unanswered for days, how are you possibly going to arrange your next training session? If he never answers the phone and doesn’t call back, how will you get hold of him when you need him?

Now, I will be the first to tell you that communicating with clients is demanding. It’s not unusual for me to have a dozen new messages come in during a different client’s training session. And yes, it’s impossible to answer right away. Plus,I need some downtime, too. That’s obvious. But communication is key, and every trainer has to figure out how to be there for their clients to facilitate effective training. 

If you feel like it’s difficult to get ahold of the trainer and you are frustrated with how they communicate, don’t go there. Don’t do it to yourself, because the frustration will only build up over time.

• Experiences with your dog’s breed or a similar one. This one is more crucial the more unique your dog’s breed or temperament is. If you have a German shepherd, you can rest assured that probably every dog trainer on the planet has some experience with them. They are the most common working breed, and the vast majority of dog trainers have worked with them before.

If, on the other hand, you’ve got a crazy, high-drive Malinois or a non-working dog like a chihuahua or a dalmatian, you better make sure your trainer has some experience with that kind of dog. 

There are trainers who don’t work with non-working breeds. They won’t work with you if you don’t have a german shepherd, malinois, boxer, doberman, or similar breed. I think that’s a bit short-sighted, but I respect their decisions. Of course, such a trainer will be useless for you if you have a labradoodle or a collie.

Don’t be afraid to ask if he has worked with your breed and what he thinks of it. An honest answer to that question will tell you everything you need to know.

• Has no problem suggesting you go elsewhere. Last but not least, if you clearly see you probably aren’t the ideal fit for this particular trainer, he should probably see that too. And he should be willing and able to say, “Sorry, I don’t think I can really help you. Please try someone else, maybe I can recommend…” 

A trainer should not be eager to work with just anyone, especially when he knows he can’t really help them. If he does that, it’s a red flag and could indicate he is more interested in money than in helping you. And that’s bad. You don’t want that. 

I get the occasional message or call from people having issues with dogs escaping their yards or showing aggression towards other dogs or people. While I probably could give them some pointers, this is not my area of expertise at all. 

Dog sport obedience? I am your guy. I can get you the title. Aggression issues? I know the best trainers in my country who work with that. Let me give you their contact info. And if, after resolving those issues, you want to dabble into obedience? I will be more than happy to work with you. 

I am convinced this is how it should work. I would never take money from someone I don’t believe I can help.

There you have it, a few key points to look out for when trying to find the ideal trainer for you and your dog. Next time, we will discuss what to expect when you finally drive over to the first lesson. You have done your best to select a good trainer, but only personal experience will really assure you of your choice.Be mindful, even when only browsing online pages of dog trainers or making some calls. That too is part of training your dog.