Dog Trainer Red Flags

 My previous post was about choosing a dog trainer. This time, I'm sharing some of the things that may take a trainer out of the running. Some of these are what turns me off from calling a trainer, some are things that others have mentioned are turn-offs and some should be red flags to anyone with a dog. 
***Please know, I have not met every local dog trainer in the Billings area. I have a casual relationship with a couple, would call a couple my friends, and have nothing against the ones I haven't utilized. There may some training styles I don't agree with (nor does, you know, science), but I am speaking in general terms and am not blasting a single business here. 

1. The trainer says they are certified, but can't provide anything to back that up: as stated before, dog trainers are not required, in this country at least, to have any credentials to train. They can call themselves whatever they want. There are certifications that are held to high standards in the industry though, and a trainer who has one will happily share it multiple places. I contacted a trainer one time who said he/she was certified, so I asked about it and was told to mind my own business. 
2. It is difficult to tell about their training style or services from their website: this one here is a personal turn-off to me. Hopefully, I have succeeded with this and it is immediately clear. If I were to go and look for a trainer for my own dog, I want to know that their style aligns with my own and I want to know that they offer a service that I need right now. This might not be as much of a red flag as it is a poor marketing choice, but I know from experience, if I can't find these two answers, I'm not going to waste time contacting them. 
3. They use a training style you don't agree with: scientifically, positive reinforcement paired with an event marker (such as clicker! or verbal marker) is the most effective way to get behavior you want from your dog. This is why they use these methods in zoos and with marine mammals. Aversive methods might work fast in some cases, but there is a lot of fallout from using them. This is not the time for that argument, but know what you are willing to put your dog through and what you can follow through with. Especially when working with puppies or dogs who haven't been in training before and when doing activities for fun with your dog. I recently read about the first ever e-collar agility club and was appalled. 
4. They don't appear to like your dog or are too familiar with your dog: Now, this one here would really hurt! I know my dog is awesome and everyone else should too. He has actually growled at others during a training class, but since he was under control, it was something we worked through and no one ever disliked him.  I know there are a lot of dog people, from Facebook groups, who don't actually like most dogs outside of their own. Or, I met a trainer in a certain chain store who threw her arms around my dog and squeezed him.  You are going to a trainer with a member of your family. Your trainer might not think all of the behavior issues are cute, but they should definitely try and like your dog in a way that your dog feels safe. 
5. They are abrasive, judgmental or narrow minded: Here's the deal, training dogs is hard work. It is physically and emotionally tough at times. That means, most people who go into dog training are passionate about it. Sometimes passion translates into less than kind words. But they also know that every dog comes attached to a person, so being kind and tactful is important. It is emotionally wearing when advice isn't followed and dogs get hurt. However, by calling a trainer, you've made a step in the right direction. You obviously care about your dog. Yes, you might not be feeding them the best food choice or have the best equipment. As long as you are open to learning, your trainer should be open to realizing that you are doing the best you can. They will probably give you advice that you didn't that you needed, but understand that it is coming from a place of wanting what is best for your dog. 
6. They use language and methods that are outdated; The scientist who coined alpha theory is on record saying that he made a mistake, and that even in a wolf pack, leadership is fluid. He said that he was wrong. Yet, so many trainers still talk about a dog being alpha or dominant. Some dogs are more strong willed than others, some are more inclined to take the lead and some want to be followers, but among dogs, this is also super fluid. Dogs have never confused us with dogs, so we don't have to be the alpha over them! Practices like alpha rolling are harmful to the dogs and are likely to result in someone getting hurt. If a trainer uses any of these words on their home page, run. This is a trainer who either hasn't bothered to keep up with the trends and science or is too stubborn to change. 
7. They are egotistical: I have to remind myself weekly that there is no ego in dog training. I don't think of myself as very egotistical, but I did a demo with my dog a while back and he sat on a spin, rolled over when I asked for a down and burped when I asked him to bow.  He knows all of those behaviors, but was having an off day, and I know this was no reflection of me. It was embarrassing, but I didn't get frustrated. Dogs are allowed to have off days, just like we are. Trainers should know this. Also, just because they have found success in something in the past, ultimately, you know your dog the best. Don't let a trainer push your dog more than they can handle. 
8. It is apparent they take on a case that is outside of their comfort zone: for a trainer to be really good at handling tough cases like severe separation anxiety, reactivity or human aggression, they have to have put a lot of time and effort into learning the processes. They might not know everything, but should be comfortable with the case. It is apparent if the trainer isn't comfortable. They may not be able to help your dog or may make the case even worse. This kind of goes back to ego. If a trainer doesn't feel they are a good fit, they should be able to refer you to another trainer. They may lose the income, but it is in the best interest of the dog, which is where a trainer should always be. 
9. They put down or gossip about other local trainers: Especially in an area like Billings, the dog community is fairly small and word gets back. Trainers' jobs are tough so they should be lifting each other up, supporting each other and allowing a place to vent rather than talking down their "competition." Truly, one trainer might not mesh with a dog owner, but if they are looking out for the dog, will want that dog to be helped somewhere. It's great if your trainer can give you some other resources to look into. 
   
10.  They are so confident, they guarantee training for the life of the dog: This one might be controversial, but I know I hate when someone says that their dog is fully trained. I guarantee you that mine is not. He knows his basics, usually very well, is almost always successful in his higher level training, but he still has things to learn. And just like us, if I weren't to do something with him for a long time, he would lose some or all of those skills. Training is not a concrete, destination. It is fluid, the journey. Trained skills are muscles-use them or lose them. A trainer can offer follow up support, and should, but guaranteed forever results set people and dogs up to fail.