Should You Train Your Dog Yourself or Hire a Professional Dog Trainer?

Feb 21, 2024 | Blogs

With all the information and videos available with the click of your thumb, should you hire a professional dog trainer or attempt the training on your own? This is a common question that new dog owners, in particular, ask themselves.

Whether you have a new puppy or are adopting from a dog rescue, this article will give you what you need to know to make the right decision about training for you and your furry friend.

Every Colorado Springs dog parent wants to have a well-behaved canine companion. Some might feel confident enough to train their pets themselves, thanks to the plethora of dog training resources available on TV shows, YouTube videos, and the internet.

However, dog training is a complex task that requires specific skills, knowledge, and a lot of patience. Choosing to hire a professional dog trainer is similar to hiring any other professional. For instance, you likely would not fix your car’s engine or your home’s electrical system without proper training. You can do more harm than good if you don’t know what you are doing. The same applies to training your dog.

Laurie should you hire a professional dog trainer?

The Value of Professional Dog Training

Expertise and Experience

Professional dog trainers offer extensive experience and knowledge in dog behavior and training techniques.

After years of studying and practicing the art and science of dog training, they understand the complexities of dog behavior and know how to handle various situations and temperaments. Their expertise allows them to effectively identify and address behavioral issues, ensuring that your dog learns the desired behaviors through dog obedience training, and unlearns the undesirable ones through methods like aggressive dog behavioral training.

Customized Training Approach

Every dog is unique and has their own personality, temperament, and behavioral patterns.

This means that a one-size-fits-all training approach may not work for every dog. When you hire a professional dog trainer, the training program is customized and tailored to suit your dog’s individual needs.

A personalized approach can make the training process more effective and less stressful for you and your dog.

Efficient Training

A professional dog trainer can help you cut down the time to train your dog. They know how to get the best results in the shortest time possible, using proven techniques and strategies. This efficiency can be particularly beneficial for busy Colorado Springs dog owners who may not have the time to conduct regular training sessions.

If you hire a professional dog trainer willing to come to your home for training, you have the additional advantage of your new family member learning on their own turf.

Guidance and Support

Dog training is about more than teaching your dog certain behaviors. You are also building a strong, lifelong bond with your pet and gaining a better understanding of their needs.

A professional dog trainer can give you the valuable guidance and support you and your dog need throughout this process. They can help you better understand your dog’s behavior, giving you insights into why they act the way they do and how you can respond appropriately.

You Might Like: Building a Strong Relationship with Your Dog: Tips from a Colorado Springs Dog Trainer

The Risks of Self-Training Your Dog

Now that you know some of the advantages you receive when you hire a professional dog trainer, let’s consider a few of the disadvantages of self-training your dog.

Inconsistent Training

One of the biggest challenges of self-training is maintaining consistency. Consistency in commands, rewards, and corrections is crucial for effective dog training. However, without the necessary knowledge and experience, you can inadvertently send mixed signals to your dog, leading to confusion and ineffective training.

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Reinforcing Negative Behaviors

Without a proper understanding of dog behavior, you might unintentionally reinforce negative behaviors. For example, comforting your dog when they’re exhibiting signs of fear or anxiety may seem like the natural thing to do. However, they might interpret this as a reward for their behavior, encouraging them to repeat it in the future.

 

Related: Ask a Colorado Springs Dog Trainer: How Can I Help My Dog with Separation Anxiety?

Potential for Mistakes

Dog training involves a lot of trial and error. If you’re training your dog yourself, you might make mistakes that could hinder your dog’s progress or even lead to behavioral problems.

With a professional dog trainer, you can avoid these pitfalls, ensuring the training process is smooth and effective.

How to Choose the Right Dog Trainer

However, there is a difference between hiring any professional dog trainer and hiring the right professional dog trainer. Choosing the right dog trainer is crucial for a successful dog training process. Here are a few factors to consider.

Qualifications and Experience

Look for a dog trainer with proper qualifications and a wealth of experience. When you hire a professional dog trainer in Colorado Springs, you need one with the certifications, knowledge, and experience to ensure your dog receives the best training available.

Training Philosophy

There are many different training philosophies, so choose a trainer whose training philosophy aligns with yours. Dog Training Laurie’s Way focuses on positive reinforcement-based training, which is a force-free, fear-free, and stress-free approach to dog training.

Reviews and Recommendations

Consider the trainer’s reputation. Google can be a great source of unbiased reviews, but you can also ask for contact information for previous clients, who will give you a better idea of the trainer’s expertise and reliability.

Let’s Start The Training Journey

At Dog Training Laurie’s Way, we offer personalized, one-on-one dog training services at your home. With our extensive experience and understanding of dog behavior, we can help you train your dog effectively, strengthening the bond between you and your pet.

Remember, training your dog is a journey, during which you learn to understand your dog better, build a stronger bond with them, and ensure they become well-behaved and happy members of your family.

If you’re ready to start this journey, contact Laurie for a free consultation.

Together, let’s take the first step towards a happier and more fulfilling relationship with your pup.

That’s Dog Training – Laurie’s way.