5 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Trainer

5 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Trainer

Your puppy is an extension of your family, so it can be difficult leaving them with just anyone. That’s why it is important to get to know those who will be spending prolonged amounts of time with your pup. Trainers, for example, spend a great deal of time with your pup teaching and interacting with them. To assist you in finding the perfect trainer for your puppy, the team at Happy Pup Manor has shared five of the most important questions you should ask before picking a trainer. Read on to learn more!

What is Your Training Method?

Ensuring that the trainer’s methods fall in-line with your needs and personal training philosophy. Setting your puppy up with a trainer just to find you don’t agree with or your puppy doesn’t benefit from their training style can be an expensive let-down. At Happy Pup Manor, we change our training methods based on the puppy and their specific training needs. Since we specialize in only a handful of breeds, we are able to tailor our programs and training methods based on the specific breed of your pup.

How Do You Discipline?

Like training methods, knowing how the trainer reinforces good and bad behavior is a must. The trainers at Happy Pup Manor treat each puppy like they are our own, and only use positive reinforcement when training. 

What Experience Do You Have?

While all trainers have to start somewhere, ensuring that the trainer that you choose has enough experience and training to properly teach your pup is essential. Ask for certifications, education, and past training or pup-related experience the trainer has to guarantee they are the right choice.

Looking for a trainer in the Chicagoland area can be overwhelming, considering the volume of area trainers cover. Finding a trainer with significant experience, such as Happy Pup Manor’s Gabby, is important. Gabby attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and graduated with her Bachelors of Science in Animal Sciences with a concentration in companion animals. In addition, she has been working with dogs for over ten years and takes pride in her ability to form special bonds and relationships with her clients – both furry and human.

What Certifications or Memberships Do You Hold?

Knowing that your trainer is an active member of the dog training community is an additional reassurance. When a trainer is well-known in the community and has the endorsement and support of others in the field speaks volumes to their ability and personality. 

Where Will My Pup Stay?

This is an especially important question if your pup is taking part in a board-and-train program. Ask about where your pup will be sleeping, playing, and being trained. Making sure your pup is in a safe and comfortable environment will not only bring some ease to you and your family, but it will encourage your puppy to come out of their shell and fully embrace their training. 

Our team answers these questions and others often and have a dedicated frequently asked questions page. To learn more about our training and boarding services, or to discuss your pup’s training and boarding needs, please call us today! If you would like to set up a time that works better, please fill out our online contact form.